Operation jobs in United Kingdom

Environment Technical Lead – Cardiff at Arup.

We work with infrastructure developers, property companies, governments and landowners to embed effective management of land, air and water through planning, delivery and operation of new and retrofit projects. Our service is comprehensive, including air quality, biodiversity, noise, community engagement, environmental assessment and management, land quality, water, resources and waste, and the maintenance and protection of historic environments.

We are looking for an experienced and forward‑thinking Environmental Technical Lead to help shape and grow our environmental consultancy services within Wales and the West from a Cardiff base. Based in our Cardiff office, this individual will hold dual responsibilities: leading EIA technical delivery for commissions across the geography and region and providing line and project leadership as part of the local Environment team. This role offers the opportunity to play a central part in delivering nationally significant infrastructure, while growing a dynamic, collaborative, and resilient team.

You will play a key role in developing and growing our environmental offer, with a particular focus on Welsh clients and the legislative context of Wales. You will provide strategic direction for our environmental services, define scope, plan fees and programmes, and lead bid development. You will build trusted relationships with clients, regulators and key stakeholders, ensuring a “no surprises” approach and a reputation for excellent delivery. In addition, you will provide technical direction and strategic assurance to project teams so our advice and outputs meet client expectations and reflect best practice.

As a leader in the Cardiff office, you will mentor and upskill junior colleagues, support their career development, and help build a resilient, future‑ready team. You will provide regular coaching and feedback, identify stretch opportunities, and foster continuous development. You will support technical reviews, knowledge sharing and professional development, including chartership and CPD goals, while collaborating with other team leads and disciplines to share best practice and contribute to the overall success of the CSS Environment team.

• In‑depth knowledge of the regulatory, environmental and planning landscape across sectors, with particular focus on Water, Energy and Transport.
• Proven experience leading environmental input on major infrastructure projects, ideally within the water or utilities sector.
• The ability to develop client relationships, secure new work and deliver successful bids and proposals.
• A collaborative approach to project delivery, working closely with engineers, planners, regulators and stakeholders to achieve high‑quality outcomes.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, combined with a constructive approach to problem‑solving and decision‑making.
• Chartered status with a relevant professional body (such as CEnv, IEMA or CIWEM).

The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker who can anticipate future needs, drive innovation in service delivery and support a resilient, future‑ready team. They have a genuine passion for mentoring and supporting others, creating an inclusive team culture where individuals can thrive. Calm and pragmatic under pressure, they demonstrate strong organisational skills and attention to detail. As an inclusive and thoughtful leader, they create space for others to grow and perform at their best, communicate with confidence, build trust and influence effectively at all levels, and commit to technical excellence and continuous improvement, fostering a culture of curiosity, collaboration and learning across the team.

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 our members can belong, grow and thrive through benefits that support health and well‑being, 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. 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 well‑being and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

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, 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.

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.

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.

Closing date – 01/02/26