At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead urban development projects and drive growth strategies across London and the South.
- Company: Buro Happold, a leader in shaping urban environments with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, private medical insurance, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with a commitment to diversity and continuous professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on city-scale developments and transform urban spaces.
- Qualifications: Proven success in urban development, strong leadership, and strategic relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At Buro Happold, we are shaping how cities evolve, connect, and thrive. We are seeking an Urban Development Director to drive our growth strategy across London and the wider South of the UK. Based in our London office near Old Street, this role combines strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, with an expectation of being on-site 2–3 days per week to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. This senior role focuses on shaping major opportunities—from early-stage positioning through to winning and delivering complex, multidisciplinary projects that transform urban environments.
If you’re passionate about influencing city-scale development and leading high-impact pursuits, this is your opportunity to make a real mark.
What you’ll be doing
- Take ownership of major urban development pursuits and lead from strategy through to delivery.
- Leading work-winning activity: shape and secure high-value opportunities in regeneration, mixed-use developments, growth corridors and major campuses.
- Develop compelling bid strategies, win themes and client propositions.
- Lead tender processes, interviews, and strategic pursuits.
- Build and grow client relationships; develop long-term relationships with key stakeholders across public and private sectors.
- Identify and nurture strategic partnerships and collaborations; act as a trusted advisor to clients throughout the project lifecycle.
- Drive market strategy and pipeline growth: identify priority clients and opportunities in line with business objectives; build and manage a robust pipeline aligned to UK+ Cities growth plans; contribute to market positioning and visibility of our urban development offer.
- Lead multidisciplinary collaboration: work closely with technical, commercial and business development teams; align delivery strategies to ensure profitable, high-quality outcomes; support the transition from bid-winning to delivery.
- Act as Project Director where required; maintain continuity from winning work through to delivery; ensure strong client outcomes and commercial success.
What success looks like
- This role is designed to build and accelerate growth in a structured way.
- First 6–12 months: Establish market positioning and a strong opportunity pipeline; convert early positioning into initial commissions and framework wins; secure early-stage advisory and multidisciplinary work.
- Beyond Year 1: Deliver sustained revenue growth through matured opportunities; win and deliver major urban development commissions; build long-term client relationships and repeat business.
About you
You are a credible, commercially focused leader with a strong track record in urban development and work winning. We’re looking for someone who brings:
- Proven success in winning major urban development or regeneration projects.
- Strong understanding of UK planning, procurement and development models; ideally with a technical background in transport planning.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary bids and project delivery.
- Ability to build strategic client relationships and influence decision-makers.
- Expertise in shaping bid strategies, pursuit planning and commercial positioning.
- A collaborative leadership style with the ability to align multiple stakeholders.
What we offer you
- Hybrid working arrangements; attractive salary and benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance and income protection; 10% car allowance.
- Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum (exclusive of bank holidays) with flexible holiday arrangements.
- Generous company pension scheme and flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans, and corporate discounts.
- Enhanced parenthood leave policies and a 3pm finish on the last Friday of the month.
- A strong commitment to continuous development through learning and development programmes; entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions.
- A supportive and inclusive environment with social and outreach activities; an international culture where career mobility is recognised.
Inclusion and accessibility
We value flexible working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those seeking flexibility. We are committed to representing diverse identities and backgrounds in the built environment and encourage applicants from underrepresented groups to apply. If you require adjustments to the application process, please contact recruitment@burohappold.com so we can support you.
Urban Development Director employer: Buro Happold Limited
At Buro Happold, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture. Our London office offers a dynamic environment where you can lead transformative urban development projects while enjoying hybrid working arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous holiday entitlement and continuous professional development opportunities. Join us to make a meaningful impact on city-scale developments and grow your career in a supportive setting that values diversity and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Urban Development Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, seminars, and workshops to meet people in urban development. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your past projects and successes in urban development. This will help us stand out during interviews and demonstrate our capabilities.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for interviews by rehearsing common questions and scenarios related to urban development. We can even do mock interviews with friends or mentors to boost our confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows we’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Buro Happold and contributing to their vision.
We think you need these skills to ace Urban Development Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Urban Development Director role. Highlight your experience in urban development and work-winning, and show how your skills align with what we’re looking for at Buro Happold.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of successful projects you’ve led. We want to see how you’ve influenced city-scale developments and secured high-value opportunities in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Buro Happold Limited
✨Know Your Urban Development Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and challenges in urban development. Understand the specifics of UK planning and procurement models, as well as Buro Happold's recent projects. This will help you speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership style and how you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams in the past. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you drove strategy from bid to delivery, showcasing your ability to influence and collaborate with various stakeholders.
✨Craft Compelling Bid Strategies
Think about how you would approach developing bid strategies for major urban development projects. Be prepared to share your ideas on shaping win themes and client propositions that resonate with potential clients, demonstrating your strategic thinking.
✨Build Relationships on the Spot
During the interview, focus on building rapport with your interviewers. Show genuine interest in their work and ask insightful questions about their projects and goals. This will not only demonstrate your interpersonal skills but also your commitment to fostering long-term client relationships.
