At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead urban development projects and shape the future of cities across the UK.
- Company: Buro Happold, a forward-thinking firm dedicated to urban evolution.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, competitive salary, private medical insurance, and generous holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with a commitment to diversity and continuous professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on city-scale developments and drive sustainable growth.
- Qualifications: Proven success in urban development and strong client relationship skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
At Buro Happold, we are shaping how cities evolve, connect, and thrive. As part of this ambition, we are seeking an Urban Development Director to play a key role in driving our growth strategy across London and the wider South of the UK. Based in our London office near Old Street, this role will combine strategic leadership with hands‑on delivery, with an expectation of being on‑site 2–3 days per week to collaborate with our multidisciplinary teams.
Shape the future of our cities
This is a senior leadership position focused 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
- You’ll take ownership of major urban development pursuits and lead from strategy through to delivery.
- Key responsibilities include:
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Work closely with technical, commercial and business development teams
- Align delivery strategies to ensure profitable, high‑quality outcomes
- Support the transition from bid‑winning through to successful delivery
- Act as Project Director where required, maintaining continuity from winning work through to delivery
- Ensure strong client outcomes and commercial success
What Success Looks Like
- 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
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 that can 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) and flexible holiday arrangements
- Generous company pension scheme
- Flexible benefits including cycle scheme, dental insurance, optical cover, travel insurance, season ticket loans and corporate discounts
- Enhanced parenthood leave policies
- 3 pm finish on the last Friday of the month
- A strong commitment to your continuous development—learning and development programme at every career stage
- Entitlement to two memberships to professional bodies or subscriptions
- Commitment to wellbeing through a comprehensive employee assistance programme and wellbeing activities; a supportive and inclusive environment with social and outreach activities from the Young Employees Forum to mentoring
- An international culture that meets you wherever your career takes you
Equal Employment Opportunity
Buro Happold values diverse perspectives and is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from individuals who enjoy flexibility in their careers and those who feel underrepresented in the industry. We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. If you need adjustments to the application process, please let us know and we will support you.
Urban Development Director employer: Buro Happold
At Buro Happold, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of London. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our comprehensive learning programmes and flexible working arrangements, ensuring that you can thrive both personally and professionally. With a strong focus on wellbeing and inclusivity, we provide a supportive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to shape the future of urban development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Urban Development Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the urban development scene. Attend industry events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your past projects and successes in urban development. This will not only demonstrate your skills but also give you something tangible to discuss during interviews. Remember, visuals can speak louder than words!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see your passion for shaping cities and how you can contribute to their vision!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, get your application in and let’s shape the future of urban development together!
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 to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the Urban Development Director role. Highlight your proven success in winning major urban development projects and your understanding of UK planning.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:We want to see how you lead! Use your application to demonstrate your collaborative leadership style and how you've successfully aligned multiple stakeholders in past projects. This is key for a senior role like this one.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication, especially when it comes to complex topics like urban development.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget 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 at Buro Happold!
How to prepare for a job interview at Buro Happold
✨Know Your Urban Development Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends in urban development and regeneration. Familiarise yourself with Buro Happold's recent projects and their approach to shaping cities. This will not only show your passion but also help you align your vision with theirs.
✨Prepare for Strategic Conversations
Since this role involves leading multidisciplinary teams, be ready to discuss how you would approach collaboration and stakeholder management. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated complex relationships and drove projects forward.
✨Showcase Your Bid Strategy Skills
Be prepared to talk about your experience in developing bid strategies and winning proposals. Bring specific examples of successful bids you've led, focusing on how you identified opportunities and crafted compelling narratives that resonated with clients.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Style
This is a senior role, so they’ll want to see your leadership style in action. Share stories that highlight your collaborative approach and how you’ve aligned diverse teams towards common goals. Emphasise your ability to influence decision-makers and drive results.
