Atkins’ Transportation division is a business of 3,000 talented professionals covering highways, rail and local transport sectors in the UK. The UK transport sector is experiencing unprecedented levels of investment and Atkins is playing a lead role in helping our clients develop, plan and deliver projects as part of long-term infrastructure programmes.
The UK Roads Sector represents a significant part of Atkins’ UK business and we work with each of the strategic roads authorities in strategy development, planning, asset management, network operations as well as the design and delivery of major infrastructure projects. The sector has seen significant growth driven by long-term funding commitments from Government in recognition of the critical role that strategic connectivity plays in supporting economic growth.
Our clients face key challenges in defining and delivering their long-term programmes, maximising the value of assets and embracing new technologies so that they can deliver the best outcomes for users and for the economy. These challenges are driving change in the way that our clients organise themselves and how they plan, operate and invest in the road network. This role is to develop our strategic consultancy offering to these clients, focusing especially on Highways England to establish strong and productive client relationships and to secure and deliver revenue in strategic and advisory consultancy services. It is expected that this will, in particular, focus on establishing a market Highways England in achieving its long-term vision. The role also entails securing work from other Highways England Directorates as well as the Department for Transport, Office for Road and Rail, Transport Scotland, Traffic Wales and the Department for Regional Development Northern Ireland.
The successful candidate will be expected to quickly grow our existing project portfolio maximising the value of existing framework procurement routes we have with each of these key clients.
The role requires a blend of excellent client-facing transport consultancy work winning and project delivery expertise, coupled with strong technical and people leadership skills. It requires a highly collaborative individual, capable of maximising the value of networks within and outside Atkins – including working in tandem with the Atkins’ Market Director for Strategic Highways and the Key Account Management team.
The successful candidate will be expected to work to challenging operational and revenue targets for consultancy revenue secured from target client organisations. The candidate will also support the development and delivery of our wider transportation strategy for these clients.
The role is based in either of our London, Epsom, Birmingham or Manchester offices.
Requirements
• Proven experience and understanding of the strategic highways market in the UK, ideally with direct experience of working with strategic network operators in investment planning, infrastructure programme development, and business change;
• Excellent people leadership and operational skills/experience;
• Experience of work winning and delivery in a consultancy environment, with a track record of: successfully securing work through public sector competitive tendering; and successful delivery of commissions as project director and/or project manager;
• Market, client and sales experience in the infrastructure sector;
• Ability to demonstrate experience of building effective networks, both internally and external to the organisation;
• Experience of developing long-term strategic relationships with clients;
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills;
• Strong presenting, negotiating and influencing skills;
• A disciplined thinker and an analytical, numerate, problem solver, who has strategic judgement and the capacity to think complex issues through and develop effective solutions in a timely fashion;
• Experience of successfully operating within a target driven environment.
Responsibilities
Core:
• Secure and deliver work with a stretching in-year revenue target for target clients and opportunities.
• To take responsibility for work winning – leading on strategic pursuits and taking the role of Bid Director on tenders in strategic transport consultancy.
• To take responsibility for project delivery for major commissions for strategic clients acting as Project Director or Technical Advisor
• To work with the wider Consultancy Practice to build capacity in strategic consultancy and grow a high performing team facing into the account
• Work with the Strategic Highways Market Director and Key Account Team to maximise revenue opportunities and significantly improve our understanding of our clients’ needs and expectations
• Establish Atkins’ with a bold and relevant voice across transport and in the Strategic Highways market, raise our profile and increase our influence with key decision-makers and stakeholders.
Additional
To work with the Consultancy Practice Directors and management team to ensure that we deliver the practice’s performance in line with Transportation’s overall strategy
The Individual
• Existing profile within the transportation or infrastructure sector.
• Proven excellence in client relationship management, able to access and influence at senior levels.
• Builds lasting and durable strategic partnerships with the client, adding significant Atkins value to their agenda.
• Highly motivated and ambitious for the success of the team
• Strong business acumen with a demonstrated knowledge of identifying potential value creation.
• Proactive, goal oriented individual with superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organisational skills
• Excellent team player, able to influence technical and delivery staff and collaborate effectively with other divisional colleagues.
• Naturally strategic, always looking for the next opportunity and testing the market for new ideas and propositions.
• Role model for high performance sales behaviours demonstrating a ‘personal hunger’ for developing sales opportunities and developing a client first attitude.
Key Measures
• Revenue generation and margin secured from key clients
• Productivity (Billable hours) on target projects
• Client perception scoring
Here at Atkins we really invest in the career progression of our employees, so join us and we’ll value you for going above and beyond to exceed customer expectations. We offer great opportunities to broaden your horizons and you can look forward to an excellent rewards package. We support flexible working and equal opportunities as we believe that diverse teams provide the best mix of interpersonal and technical skills needed to exceed our customers’ expectations.
