Associate Director

Job Description

Overview

The AtkinsRéalis Infrastructure Project Delivery Practice (PDP) is the centre of excellence for the delivery of infrastructure projects and combines the best in project management and design management to provide a full suite of services to clients in the public and private sectors. The team is responsible for delivery of design services across our markets of Water Infrastructure, Defence Infrastructure, Nuclear, Aviation, Energy, Rail (stations), and Urban Developments We are looking for a highly experienced Associate Director - Project Controls to provide senior leadership across major infrastructure and transformation programmes. This role is focused on end-to-end project and programme delivery, supporting clients and delivery partners to achieve successful outcomes through strong leadership, governance, performance management, and stakeholder engagement.

You will operate as a trusted senior advisor, helping clients shape delivery approaches, mobilise teams, manage performance, and embed continuous improvement across their programmes.

Your role

• Providing senior leadership across project and programme delivery environments
• Supporting clients in the successful setup, mobilisation, and delivery of programmes
• Leading delivery teams and delivery partners to achieve agreed outcomes, benefits, and performance targets
• Designing and embedding effective governance, decision-making, and reporting arrangements
• Driving delivery performance, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Acting as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders and executive teams
• Facilitating delivery-focused workshops, peer assists, and leadership sessions
• Supporting business change, operating model design, and transformation initiatives
• Coaching, mentoring, and developing high-performing delivery teams and future leaders
• Contributing to bid development and supporting strategic pursuits across key client

About you

• Senior leadership experience in Project Delivery / Programme Delivery / Programme Advisory
• Proven experience delivering large-scale programmes within regulated or public-sector environments
• Strong expertise in delivery governance, performance management, and assurance
• Ability to operate confidently at executive and board level
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and delivery partners
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills

Desirable:

• Experience in transport, defence, rail, digital or public-sector programmes
• Experience working within alliance or integrated delivery models
• Strong interest in data, insight, and digital approaches to improving delivery performance
• Qualifications & Professional Memberships
• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification (desirable)
• MSP Practitioner and/or PRINCE2 Programme Manager
• Chartered Management Consultant (ChMC) or equivalent (desirable)
• Prosci® Change Management Practitioner (desirable)
• Membership of a recognised professional body (CMI, APM, etc.)

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis , a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

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Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.