Associate Director - Transport Planner
Candidate Recruitment Information Pack
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Contents
Page Number
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Company Background
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Planning
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Associate Director – Transport Planner
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Context of the Role
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Person Specification
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Indicative Timetable
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Response Instructions
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COMPANY BACKGROUND
Arup are an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants and technical
specialists offering a broad range of professional services.
In 1946, philosopher and engineer Ove Arup set up his consulting engineering business in
London. In the more than 60 years that have followed, the business has grown into an
international consulting firm of unparalleled scope, owned in trust for its employees and using
the business principles that Ove Arup first set out – and which he articulated for posterity in
1970 in his forward-looking ‘key speech’.
Right from the start, Arup was known for its close and exceptionally productive collaborations
with leading and avant-garde architects. In its first two decades, the firm expanded rapidly,
and earned a fulsome reputation for devising advanced and economical solutions for buildings –
a reputation it still enjoys today.
By 1976, Arup’s reputation had become truly global with the completion of the Sydney Opera
House. By this time, the firm had opened offices in Northern Europe, Southern Africa, South
East Asia and Australia. Its breadth of expertise was already considerable: this ranged from
offshore engineering, acoustics, facades, and specialist skills such as impact, blast, risk and
seismic engineering, to relatively-niche areas such as designing transportation containers for
nuclear waste.
The firm’s portfolio today is broad and wide-ranging. Many of the world’s most iconic sports
stadia are Arup projects – such as Beijing’s Water Cube and Bird’s Nest and the Melbourne
Rectangular Stadium.
Arup’s work goes beyond buildings and infrastructure, however. We collaborated with car
manufacturers on the design of the SuperLight car, which uses considerably less energy than
the petrol equivalent. Post 9/11, Arup developed a business continuity and resilience practice,
as well as security management tools that are now used globally. Arup has also developed a
range of proprietary computer modeling tools which it sells around the world, as well as
innovations such as our SoundLab®, an aural-realisation tool with which clients can hear
subjectively how different design options perform acoustically – before they are actually built.
Arup now has over 90 offices across Europe, North America, Africa, Australasia and South East
Asia. It has tripled in size in the last ten years, and now has over 10,000 people worldwide.
Arup People
Arup brings together broad-minded individuals from a wide range of disciplines and encourages
them to look beyond the constraints of their own specialisms.
The power to influence the future of the built environment carries with it a weighty
responsibility. Many of Arup’s projects leave a legacy to subsequent generations: a legacy that
outlasts any one individual. With 10,000 projects going on at any one time, Arup is doing the
best possible job for current and future generations. Putting sustainability at the heart of its
work is one of the ways in which Arup exerts a positive influence on the wider world. Put
simply, Arup people are driven to find a better way.
Arup’s independent ownership structure gives conviction a place in its decision-making,
alongside the needs of clients and commercial imperatives. The result is clear-sighted,
thoughtful decisions about its priorities as a business and as a member of society.
Arup influences many people’s lives through its projects. Shaping a sustainable future –
particularly through the urban environment – will be one of the greatest challenges in the 21st
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century. Arup is rising to the challenge: investing in research, innovating and creating better
solutions for its clients and the wider world.
“…our lives are inextricably mixed up with those of our fellow human beings, and that there
can be no real happiness in isolation…” Ove Arup, 1970.
Arup has a reputation for pioneering innovations and for fresh approaches to age-old
challenges. The firm’s creative spark and intellectual independence has been there from its
very beginning. These shared values, like the firm’s name, are essentially derived from the
beliefs and convictions of the firm’s founder, the engineer and philosopher Ove Arup.
Arup people are driven to discover new ways to turn ideas into tangible reality. This passion is
behind many of the world’s iconic architectural, engineering, infrastructure and planning
projects. It is also behind the firm's relentless pursuit of technical excellence and willingness to
invest in research and innovation.
Its very ownership structure – held in trust on behalf of its employees – ensures that Arup
retains its independent spirit. Arup’s operating principles and commitment to sustainability are
paramount. These shared values unify Arup people – a formidable and diverse group of
individuals; freely exchanging ideas and sharing opinions.
Arup seeks ever better ways to imagine, re-imagine and reshape the built environment.
The Future
Each year, Arup reinvests a share of its profits in research as part of the firm’s pursuit of
technical excellence. Some of our research projects are conducted by specialists within Arup;
others are collaborations with academic institutions or partnerships with industry.
Arup also invests in strategic global research projects such as the Drivers of Change. Through a
series of workshops held all over the world, the Drivers of Change is a programme that explores
the most significant future trends affecting our business, and the business of our clients. Its
findings directly inform Arup’s direction as a business.
Investing in Arup’s own people is a key part of the firm's approach to business. A rigorous
technical training program – as well as training on disciplines such as project management –
equips Arup people for the challenges offered by the world’s most exciting projects. The
emphasis on training and technical excellence means that Arup continues to attract and retain
many of the world’s best engineers and designers.
See also the Company website:
www.arup.co.uk
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Planning
Arup guides development proposals at each stage of the development control and management
process. We give strategic advice on proposals, manage consultation, assess impact, prepare
applications for planning consent and support applications through decision-making and postdecision processes. We also provide stakeholder engagement, reporting and appeal services.
At each step, our goal is to ensure that planned developments are not only acceptable but also
desirable, sustainable and deliverable. We work to attain the best possible outcomes for our
clients, whether they are from the private or public sector, planning authorities or third
parties.
Our technical and commercial planning and policy experts work side by side with specialists –
from acousticians and ecologists to security consultants – to ensure that plans are pragmatic
and deliver value.
Our specialists foster good relationships with everyone involved in the planning process –
including national governments, regional partnerships or agencies, local planning authorities
and developers as well the wider community and other voluntary sector stakeholders.
On many projects, effective two-way stakeholder consultation is key. Arup has substantial
experience in undertaking or managing community engagement, as with the Hunters point
redevelopment, San Francisco, where our plan developed in response to residents’ priorities:
tackling local crime, poor health trends and unemployment.
Arup is well-placed to develop successful schemes and proposals. Because our policy experts
contribute to the design and evaluation of planning processes worldwide, we understand how
policy works in practice.
We also specialise in producing sustainable plans, frameworks and masterplans that, in turn,
give us the insight to guide projects that are in sympathy with visions for local or regional
development.
Arup recently announced the appointment of Jerome Frost as Head of Planning for UK,
Middle East and Africa (UKMEA).
This is a key appointment for both Arup’s integrated planning team and the firm as a whole. As
the ODA Head of Design and Regeneration, Jerome established and led the successful delivery
of the ODA Design Strategy. He was also responsible for the design and masterplanning
contracts for the Olympic Park, and the coordination of all ODA design issues.
Prior to his five years with the ODA and a year with iODA, he was Head of the National
Consultancy Unit for English Partnerships - a national centre of expertise for regeneration and
development, which included the Advisory Team for Large Applications (ATLAS), a specialist
service aimed at mitigating the issues delaying major planning applications across England.
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Associate Director – Transport Planner
Context of the Role
This role reports into Jerome Frost, Director of Planning, UK-MEA. Jerome has many years of
experience in design, planning and urban regeneration in both the public and private sectors
and was previously the Head of Design and Regeneration for the Olympic Delivery Authority
(ODA). He is also an Arup alumni.
While at Arup previously, Jerome led the Regeneration Business Portfolio for the Development
Planning division. His work included international master planning and economic development
projects, including the regeneration strategy for King’s Cross Central, the compulsory purchase
and planning applications for major development at Wembley and sustainable development and
transport projects in South Africa and China.
The Role
The job involves managing on a day to day basis a team of transport planners operating out of
our Manchester and Leeds offices and the involvement in key decision making UK wide as part
of the Transport Planning business leadership team. The post is based within the Transport
Planning Team in Arup’s Manchester office. The team form part of a wider planning team
across the North West & Yorkshire region comprising 13 people.
The Planning team sits within a wider multi-disciplinary Arup office totalling 125 people in
Manchester and 450 across the NWY Region.
The transport planning team works closely with other teams including planning, environmental,
civil engineering, rail, water and energy.
There is close liaison with other Transport planning teams across the UK. The post will require
the candidate to liaise closely with these teams
The role will entail:
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Management of staff at various grades from junior to senior transport planners
Writing of proposals in the transport planning field
Development a portfolio of existing and potential clients
Liaison with other Arup groups on project requirements including bidding, execution,
management and technical advice
Mentoring of staff
Playing a key management role as part of a Transport Planning Executive that runs the
UKMEA TP business
Knowledge of Transport Planning software and procedures
Technical and managerial expertise in areas that may include a mix of projects in the
fields of transport assessments, public transport, development planning and strategic /
micro simulation modeling
Public inquiry expert witness role
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Person Specification
In your written application, please give evidence of proven experience in response to as many
of the criteria listed in "Part One" of the Person Specification as possible. These responses will
be further developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview, together with
the other criteria listed in "Part Two".
It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to demonstrate a strong record across
a broad range of the criteria in both Part One and Part Two:
Part One: Essential Experience
The role would require an education level of at least a BSc/ MEng in Civil Engineering or an MSc
in Transport Planning or equivalent in the field of transport. Particular expertise is sought that
includes:
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A proven track record of success in managing, leading and developing a
comparable team level of comparability of no less than 10 staff members.
Proven experience in managing at least two large projects with a value of over
300K. This can be multi-disciplinary
Demonstrable experience of having successfully operated in the private and/or
public sector
Demonstrable business development experience with the ability to win work,
cross sell in other disciplines and create wider opportunities for Arup’s
multidisciplinary offer
Portfolio of transport planning work on development projects
Expertise in pedestrian models (LEGION) (desirable)
Demonstrable technical expertise in Transport Assessments, Travel Plans,
obtaining planning permission
Proven track record of sustaining credibility in an organisational profile,
grounded in sophisticated, shrewd and high level political awareness and
understanding of how to manage a complex range of stakeholders
Preferable international experience or having operated with a national profile
at a technical level
Part Two: Abilities, Skills and Knowledge
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Qualified to degree level in a relevant discipline including Geography/Civil
Engineering/Planning BA with MSc in Transport Planning and chartered in
relevant institution IHT/ICE/TPP or with equivalent practical experience
Ability to win work and seek out opportunities. A proven track record is a must
preferably within the local areas identified above
Ability to demonstrate an integrated approach to transport planning projects
Proven financial and administration skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Understanding of transport models (TRANSYT, ARCADY, PICADY, LINDSIG &
Micro Simulation, SATURN)
Good understanding and knowledge of the NW Market – particular private
sector developers, local authorities and Passenger Transport Executives
Proven ability to work with private sector developers, Local Authorities and
Passenger Transport Executives and , where required, act as an expert witness
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Ability to work at a strategic level – leading on regional transport issues and
Local Transport Plans
Awareness of local authority design standards, Manual for Streets, DMRB, DFT
transport notes etc.
Personal Style and Behaviour
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A highly presentable and persuasive communicator; personal and professional
demeanor/credibility that will command the immediate confidence of a range
of stakeholders.
A respected individual with a track record of delivering and getting things
done.
A credible and persuasive ambassador for ARUP
Articulate, dynamic, energetic and delivery focussed.
Able to translate broad objectives into delivering real outcomes.
Self – motivation, commitment and enthusiasm, not easily discouraged,
Leads by example, inclusive rather than exclusive, and prepared to share
expertise, know-how and skills.
Terms and Conditions:
Salary range for basic pay = £annum dependant on candidate skills
Overall package includes: Life Assurance (4 x basic salary), Profit Share, Private Healthcare
(single cover), 25 days annual leave, flexible benefits fund to use as additional cash or use to
buy additional benefits, Employee Assistance Programme
Flex benefit for Grade 8 =£8900
This position is based in the Manchester office but there will be a requirement to visit other
offices / sites in the UK and internationally dependant on work requirements
Assistance to relocate may be available for the right candidate, but would take the form of
basic financial assistance.
Travel between NWY offices however the main base will be the Manchester office. There also
may be international travel dependant on work requirements
Standard 5-day (Mon-Fri) schedule 37.5 hours
Manchester 8.30am-5pm
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Indicative Timetable
(NB: Please note that these dates are only indicative at this stage).
Thursday 11th October 2012
Closing Date for Applications:
First stage interviews will be conducted by Rockpools.
Shortlist meetings:
Associate Director
Monday 15th October 2012
Associate level
Wednesday 17th October 2012
Assistant/Graduate level
Monday 22nd October 2012
Final Panel Interviews (Manchester):
Still to be confirmed
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Response Instructions
Ref Number:
Associate Director - Transport Planner ARUPS002
If you wish to apply for this position, please supply the following:
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A comprehensive CV setting out your career history, with responsibilities and
achievements, and details of your current salary and benefits (in confidence).
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A supporting statement that fully addresses the criteria in Part One of the person
specification.
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Please provide details of two referees who can speak authoritatively about you
together with a brief statement of the capacity and over what period of time they have
known you. Referees will not be contacted without your prior consent.
It is essential in your written application that you provide as full an answer as possible to the
questions being answered to ensure your application covers all the relevant experience that the
selection panel will be looking for in the sift process.
If you wish to receive a hard copy of the information content, or in an alternative format e.g.
Audio, Braille or large font then please contact Kelly Rooke on +44 (0)20 3137 3449 or by emailing her at Kelly.rooke@rockpools.co.uk.
If you cannot apply online, please post applications to:
Kelly Rooke
Coventry Techno Centre
Coventry University Technology Park
Puma Way
Coventry
CV1 2TT
United Kingdom
For an informal and confidential discussion, please call our advising consultants at Rockpools:
David Thomas on +44 (0)20 3137 3446 or Balvinder Sangha on +44 (0)20 3137 3453
Rockpools will, of course, respect the privacy of any conversations regarding this role.
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