HV Networks Design Director in Birmingham

Joining Arup, delivering the energy systems transition so affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy is available for all is one of the most difficult challenges humanity has faced. To overcome it will require experts from all disciplines and backgrounds to come together and collaborate. In response, Arup has made further growth of the work we do for energy clients aligned to this transition a strategic priority. We are already recognised as leading consultants in this field and are working for both public and private sector clients on some of the most important energy projects across the globe today.

Our work includes advice for governments on decarbonisation strategies, due diligence for investors, managing innovation programmes for low carbon technologies, delivering design solutions for tomorrow’s low carbon energy system, obtaining the necessary permits and consents, and acting as clients' owners engineer and project managers. Over the last three years, our work with energy clients has grown substantially and this is set to continue. We are therefore looking to recruit across a wide range of skills and experience.

Our global portfolio of work is grouped into five key client-facing themes: Renewable Energy, Urban and Integrated Energy Solutions, Transmission and Distribution Networks, Nuclear, and Molecular Solutions. We are an employee‑owned organisation which gives you a unique opportunity to have a real say in our future, shape the exciting opportunities we can deliver, and pursue work that aligns with your values. If you want an opportunity to work on projects that are helping drive down carbon emissions across the energy system and build a career at a firm that shares your passion for addressing the causes of climate change, we look forward to hearing from you.

The Role

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a Director to join our established and growing HV Networks team. You will bid, win, and deliver HV Network design work, collaborating to bring the best of Arup to clients and projects based across the UK, Europe, India, the Middle East, and Africa as a leader of the Regions HV Networks Leadership team. You will also use your network of contacts and relationships gained from working in the sector to generate new leads and opportunities for Arup. You will drive the growth of the UK HV team, particularly in electrical design capabilities, and provide line management for the team.

We have a very strong pipeline of confirmed HV work with Transmission Owners including as one of three consultants working as Partners on National Grid’s Great Grid Upgrade. In this role, you will provide overall technical leadership and governance for all electrical engineering aspects of projects, acting as the Technical Authority and setting the technical strategy, design principles, and assurance framework. The role ensures compliance with relevant codes, standards, and regulatory requirements, chairing key technical governance forums, and leading independent design reviews, optioneering, and value engineering.

The role maintains oversight across all electrical scopes, ensuring effective integration with other disciplines, and signs off key technical decisions and deliverables. The role owns the electrical technical risk profile and is accountable for excellence in quality and safety in design throughout the project lifecycle, leading a strong safety culture and embedding safe, operable, and maintainable solutions from the outset. It provides senior technical oversight of contractors, suppliers, and OEMs, supports procurement and contract negotiations, and leads the resolution of complex technical issues. As a trusted senior advisor to the client and project, the role represents the project in high-level technical engagements.

The role also leads, mentors, and develops senior engineers and technical leads of sub‑disciplines (electrical engineering), contributing to organisational learning, best practice, and technical thought leadership. It is expected that the post holder will contribute to the growth of our HV Networks work from a £50m pa turnover to +£100m over the next 4 years.

Is this role right for you?

To take accountability for the leadership of a team focused on winning and delivering major HV Network design work. The role will involve:

• Being the project director for a portfolio of high value‑adding major HV design commissions with accountability for technical excellence, overall commercial performance, and client satisfaction.
• Ultimate accountability for technical integrity, safety, quality, and compliance on projects within the portfolio as Project Director.
• Collaboration on specific projects with Technical Director, Project Director, client stakeholders, partner stakeholders, contractors, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Developing the technical excellence of our HV Networks discipline such that it continues to deliver innovation and high value to clients.
• Managing a multi‑disciplinary team to deliver commissions, leading and fostering an inclusive project team and in full compliance with Arup Management System requirements.
• Taking responsibility for and growing a small team / a network of teams, supporting their personal development, providing coaching, addressing performance issues, and undertaking / overseeing annual appraisals as well as recruitment to grow the team.
• Raising Arup’s profile through development and communication of innovation and thought leadership via industry events and conferences.
• Integrating digital technology into Arup’s services to add value to clients, reduce costs, and improve outcomes.
• Prospecting for new work with current and new clients, developing client relationships, and being at the forefront on bids.

Person Specification – technical/experience

• Extensive experience in the design and delivery of large‑scale electricity transmission infrastructure projects in the UK (e.g. transmission networks, major grid connections, HVDC).
• Proven track record as a technical authority on the electrical design of complex, electricity transmission projects.
• Deep knowledge of National Grid Electricity Transmission design standards and processes and demonstrable experience in delivering a CDAE or LCDAE role, and equivalent processes in other UK and European TOs.
• Strong experience interfacing with clients, regulators, and major contractors and the ability to make sound, defensible technical decisions under time and commercial pressure.
• Proven track record in winning work for themselves and their team and delivering high‑value consultancy services (or demonstrable transferrable skills and experience).
• Experience in the new and developing areas of HV Network consultancy.
• Proven capability in creating business proposals to pitch to clients, by drawing together the relevant technical expertise from across a multi‑disciplinary firm.
• Strong commercial awareness of a client’s business drivers and public sector commitments to decarbonise.
• Minimum of a good first degree in Electrical Engineering or a relevant discipline.
• Chartered member of the IET or equivalent.
• Recognised industry profile through publications, standards committees, or professional bodies.

Some work outside normal office hours may be necessary. Travel to and from client sites or temporary assignments to client’s offices may also be required. There will be opportunities for international travel.

What We Offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair, and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow, and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities, and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts. We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance, and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence. Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross‑cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference.