Technical Director / Associate Director: Ground Engineering

Description

Technical Director or Associate Director for the Ground Engineering practice, which covers feasibility and desktop studies, ground investigation, interpretation, detailed design, contract administration, technical advisory and construction supervision for geotechnical work.

The practice serves energy, water, nuclear decommissioning and new build, defence, aviation, ports, data centres, highways and rail. Clients include National Grid, BP, Sellafield, Associated British Ports, Transport Scotland, National Highways, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Network Rail, local authorities, and contractors and developers in the UK, Ireland and overseas.

Projects include the Great Grid Upgrade, STEP Fusion, Scottish Highlands pumped storage hydro, Snowdonia VIP, A83 Rest and be Thankful, M54-M6 Link Road, water schemes for UK and Ireland utilities, the HMNB Devonport redevelopment, and Eastlink in Sweden.

The business is growing across the UK, and the team is being built up as a senior group led by the role holder.

Applications are welcome from anywhere in the UK.

The company employs over 50,000 people across planning, design, engineering, science, digital, and programme and construction management. It is a Fortune 500 firm with Professional Services revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025.

Responsibilities

• Review and verify geotechnical data, analyses and design calculations using sound technical judgement and experience.
• Advise external partners at every stage of a project, from site selection and options appraisal through design to construction.
• Manage or oversee geotechnical projects, planning schedules and coordinating work to meet scope, programme and budget.
• Lead and support the Ground Engineering team so projects reach clients and internal partners on time and to the required quality.
• Build a visible presence in the industry and maintain strong relationships with past, current and prospective clients to keep a steady pipeline of work.
• Lead the Ground Engineering input to multi-disciplinary projects for internal and external stakeholders.
• Work with colleagues in Ground Engineering, Tunnelling, Transport, Water, Energy and Buildings and Places on project delivery and tenders.
• Mentor junior team members and make sure they get the guidance and support they need.

Requirements

• A degree in Civil Engineering or in Engineering Geology or Geology, at 2:1 or above, or an equivalent qualification.
• An MSc or MEng in Soil Mechanics, Geotechnical Engineering or Engineering Geology, advantageous.
• Chartered status.
• A solid grasp of UK ground conditions and site investigation practice.
• A clear understanding of current geotechnical design codes, standards and good practice, and openness to new methods and innovation.
• Ability to work closely on project delivery while winning work and keeping clients highly satisfied.
• Knowledge of interpreting ground conditions, assessing parameters and using correlation methods for common geotechnical design problems.
• Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong networking across local, regional and national markets to position the company as a preferred consulting partner.
• Sound judgement to spot opportunities and risks and make well-founded decisions.
• Genuine interest in developing team members into the next generation of engineers and leaders.

Conditions

Hybrid working: you can work from an office, remotely or at a client site.

You must attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at a company office as a condition of employment.

Recruitment is run securely, and fraudulent hiring activity is not tolerated.

Equal opportunity applies, and applicants with a disability or long-term condition who meet the essential criteria will be offered an interview under the Disability Confident scheme.

Benefits

• A broad range of pay, benefits and well-being programmes for employees and their families.
• Access to industry-leading technology and expertise within a global, publicly traded firm.
• Flexibility alongside transformational, high-impact work.