Principal, Transit Architecture & Placemaking Lead

As an Arcadian, you already help us deliver world leading sustainable design, engineering, and consultancy solutions for natural and built assets. You are part of our global business comprising 36,000 people, in over 70 countries, dedicated to improving quality of life.

Everyone has an important role to play. With the power of many curious minds, together we can continue to solve the world’s most complex challenges and deliver more impact together.

Role description:

Arcadis is seeking a passionate and entrepreneurial Transit and Placemaking Leader to spearhead the integration of innovative transit-focused design, and placemaking strategies within the UK Architecture & Urbanism (A&U) division of the Places Global Business Area (GBA).  This role offers an exciting opportunity to influence the development of human-centric, sustainable, and adaptable urban environments. 

As the Transit and Placemaking Leader, you will play a key role in leading transit-focused projects, fostering placemaking excellence, and driving business growth. You will combine expertise in urban design, transit facilities, and regeneration to deliver impactful solutions for communities in both local and international contexts. The role involves managing teams, collaborating across disciplines, and establishing high-performance standards to create vibrant, connected, and sustainable places. 

Role accountabilities:

Leadership: 

• Establish and lead a transit-focused design practice in the UK to support both local and international projects. 


• Develop and grow teams of transit and placemaking professionals, with accountability for resource utilisation, project delivery, and profitability. 


• Lead and manage large, complex projects, including creating and refining fundamental design principles from conception to implementation. 


• Manage team budgets, track team performance, and develop annual revenue targets and business plans in consultation with senior leadership. 


• Coach and mentor team members to achieve personal and professional growth, fostering a culture of diversity, inclusivity, and equity. 


• Facilitate collaboration within Arcadis’ global network. 

Expertise: 

• Integrate transit-oriented development principles and placemaking strategies to create cohesive, sustainable, and inclusive urban environments. 


• Oversee masterplanning, urban design guidance, capacity studies, and regeneration frameworks for public and private sector clients. 


• Champion sustainable mobility solutions by embedding transit systems into urban design and placemaking frameworks. 


• Collaborate with planning colleagues to align projects with the UK planning system, policy frameworks, and emerging trends. 

Business Development & Client Engagement: 

• Drive business growth by identifying opportunities in transit and placemaking markets, developing strategies to expand the reach of the practice. 


• Lead local office marketing activities, review proposals and contracts, and ensure consistency with business plans and adherence to Arcadis standards. 


• Represent the business in client meetings, presentations, and workshops, communicating innovative and practical design solutions. 


• Assist with preparing business development proposals to secure new projects. 

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of 20 years of relevant experience in an architectural studio, including 10 years of direct experience in transit-focused projects and urban design and placemaking. 


• University degree in Architecture or Urban Design (Master’s degree preferred). 


• Registered UK Architect  


• Demonstrated proficiency in all phases of project development, from inception to completion. 


• Competent knowledge of local building codes, specifications, and the UK planning system. 


• Proficiency in design software and tools for urban design, masterplanning, and transit architecture. 


• Strong Project Management and organizational skills to manage time and deadlines in a fast-paced environment including ability to use appropriate software and tools 


• Proficient in reviewing concepts, proposals, and technical drawings for urban design, masterplanning and transit architecture. 


• Demonstrated leadership in guiding, inspiring, and mentoring multidisciplinary teams on large infrastructure projects. 

Why Arcadis?

We can only achieve our goals when everyone is empowered to be their best. We believe everyone's contribution matters. It’s why we are pioneering a skills-based approach, where you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we can make together.

You’ll do meaningful work, and no matter what role, you’ll be helping to deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet. Make your mark, on your career, your colleagues, your clients, your life and the world around you.

Together, we can create a lasting legacy.

Join Arcadis. Create a Legacy.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We want you to be able to bring your best self to work every day which is why we take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves to account for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people. We believe that by working together diverse people with different experiences develop the most innovative ideas. Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the heart of how we improve quality of life and we work closely with our people across six ED&I Workstreams: Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race. A diverse and skilled workforce is essential to our success.