Associate Director - Water Projects in Manchester

Joining Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world. Here, you belong to an extraordinary collective – where individuality is encouraged to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas.

We work across the entire water cycle, with utilities, local and regional governments, commercial and domestic water users and other partners. From designing and maintaining key water infrastructure to advising on natural catchments and flood defenses, we help clients to consider the long‑term economic, environmental and social dimensions of their proposals.

The opportunity Our UK Water Business continues to grow, driven by significant investment in AMP8 with further expansion anticipated in future AMPs. We have been successful in securing major frameworks with United Utilities and Yorkshire Water in the North of England as well as other water companies across the UK. The work includes involvement with the regulated capital delivery programmes as well as DPC programmes and projects.

We are seeking a Project Director to play a key leadership role in delivering these major water infrastructure projects and supporting the continued expansion of our teams across Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds. The successful candidate will lead the delivery of water and wastewater projects from early planning and design through to construction and commissioning. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, they will ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to a high standard, while meeting client expectations.

We are aligned with the water companies and several key delivery partners. Providing technical leadership across water and wastewater treatment, sludge treatment, stormwater management, hydraulics, pumping systems, tanks, shafts and tunnels, the Project Director will help develop practical, efficient and sustainable solutions while encouraging the adoption of innovative technologies and approaches. Delivering to programme and within budgetary constraints is central to effective delivery.

An important part of the role will be building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, contractors and project partners. The successful candidate will support the growth of the Water Business by identifying opportunities, strengthening client partnerships and helping to showcase Arup's wider capabilities. Leading, mentoring and developing teams will be a key responsibility, fostering a collaborative environment where people feel supported, valued and empowered to grow professionally while contributing to successful project outcomes.

The position also offers the opportunity to contribute to technical excellence and continuous improvement by keeping up to date with developments across the water sector and sharing knowledge across projects and teams. A strong focus will be placed on developing resilient and environmentally responsible solutions, helping clients address climate change challenges while delivering long‑term value for communities and stakeholders.

Is This Role Right for You? We are looking for someone proactive and that wants to make an impact in the Water Business. Ideally, You Will Have:

• Chartered Engineer status, or a similar professional qualification.
• A proven history of delivering projects to programme and budget.
• Strong experience in water and wastewater engineering, with a good understanding of the UK water sector.
• Experience working in a Design & Build (D&B) environment and delivering projects alongside contractors.
• A proven ability to build strong client relationships and deliver successful project outcomes.
• Experience leading project teams and supporting the development of engineers and other team members.
• A passion for technical excellence and providing guidance to multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical information clearly to different audiences.
• Experience managing project budgets, contracts and commercial matters, including NEC contracts.

Desirable:

• Based in North West England, or willing to travel regularly across the region.
• Experience working in BIM and digital delivery environments.

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.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact maria.mindrut@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/arup-careers-uk-application-process. Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.