Infrastructure Decarbonisation Associate Director in Edinburgh

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world. We place sustainable development at the heart of everything we do, and our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our ambitious decarbonisation goals and the services we offer to clients across the globe.

As part of the Climate and Sustainability Services (CSS) portfolio, our carbon consultants are embedded across geographies, delivering impactful carbon and sustainability services in the built environment and in particular for major infrastructure schemes. From Net Zero strategies to Greenhouse Gas assessments for EIA, we help clients reduce emissions and transition to low‐carbon futures, acting as a hub and integrator across all of Arup's business and markets.

Our baseline of work comes through Environmental Impact Assessments for major projects including SESRO and the Great Grid Upgrade programme, as well as high‐profile projects such as TRU and the Holyhead Hydrogen Hub, where we provide whole life carbon assessments and strategic advice. We've supported Northern Ireland Water with decarbonisation services, developed emissions monitoring tools for VisitScotland, and collaborated with Greater Manchester Combined Authority on emissions pathway analysis. These projects exemplify our drive for innovation and excellence in carbon consultancy.

The Opportunity: We are seeking an Infrastructure Decarbonisation Associate Director to take on a leadership role for major infrastructure decarbonisation within CSS. This is a pivotal position that combines work winning, technical excellence, strategic oversight, and cross‐functional coordination. You will collaborate with other carbon leaders across the business and will be expected to grow our forward pipeline, steer the direction of the carbon discipline, champion best practices and contribute to shaping and strengthening the case for this critical agenda for our clients.

This role will be based in any Arup UK office location. You will play a key role in delivering Arup's Total Design approach—part of our new Global Strategy—which anchors our work in technical excellence, curiosity, collaboration and ensures we bring the broadest context to our projects and deliver on our purpose to shape a better world.

Key Responsibilities:

• Shaping the strategic direction of carbon services across our markets – the focus will be on energy, water and transport, but you will be expected to work closely with other business areas.
• Leading the development and delivery of decarbonisation strategies and carbon management services.
• Providing technical leadership in carbon management, in particular, net zero strategies, roadmaps and the GHG emissions' quantification that underpin them.
• Coordinating with carbon consultants across geographies to ensure a unified and borderless approach to delivery.
• Driving innovation and excellence in carbon consultancy, embedding best practices across teams.
• Supporting business development through client engagement, proposal writing, and strategic planning.
• Mentoring and developing junior staff, fostering a culture of excellence and collaboration.
• Representing Arup in senior forums and helping position us as a global leader in decarbonisation.

This role requires borderless and agile working across our UKIMEA region to ensure the best people are involved in projects, regardless of location. You'll be part of a global network of experts, collaborating across disciplines and regions to deliver meaningful change.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share, and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas. You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

Is this role right for you? We are looking for individuals with the following skills:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Environmental Engineering, Climate Change, Geography, Environmental Science).
• Strong understanding of UK and devolved policy frameworks for carbon and climate mitigation.
• Demonstrated leadership in shaping technical disciplines and influencing strategic direction.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

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 recognizes 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.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Karin Spies karin.spies@arup.com to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our Application Process: To understand what to expect next, please visit: https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/ Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

Recruitment Agencies: We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.