Director of Structural & Civil Engineering

Job Description

Director of Structural & Civil Engineering

SOCOTEC is looking for an inspiring, commercially astute leader to take the helm of our Structural & Civil Engineering business as our new Director of Structural & Civil Engineering. This is a rare opportunity to shape the future of a growing, multidisciplinary engineering team within our Building & Real Estate division, with flexible working available across the UK to suit business needs.

As Director, you'll take full ownership of the Structural & Civil Engineering business, its people, technical excellence, commercial performance and client relationships, while working hand-in-hand with the Director of Engineering and the wider leadership team to deliver an ambitious growth strategy. You'll set the tone for a high-performing, collaborative culture, champion strong technical governance, and ensure every project is delivered safely, consistently and to the highest professional standards.

The tasks you will undertake will include (but are not limited to):

• Lead and develop SOCOTEC's Structural & Civil Engineering business unit, taking full ownership of its people, technical delivery, commercial performance and sustainable growth.
• Provide visible, hands-on leadership to the team, setting clear direction, standards and priorities that enable people to perform, develop and collaborate effectively.
• Translate divisional strategy into clear objectives, business plans and delivery priorities, working closely with the Director of Engineering and the wider Building & Real Estate leadership team.
• Grow our Civil Engineering offering, expanding capability and market presence alongside our well-established structural engineering business.
• Own the business unit's commercial performance, including revenue, profitability, utilisation, WIP, debt, forecasting, pipeline and resource planning.
• Drive business development across Structural & Civil Engineering, building strong client relationships, identifying new opportunities and converting a healthy pipeline of work.
• Develop key client accounts and support cross-selling of Structural & Civil Engineering alongside Fire, Façade, Building Regulations, Principal Designer and other SOCOTEC services.
• Lead and review significant bids, fee proposals and commercial terms, ensuring every appointment is appropriately resourced, priced and commercially robust.
• Provide senior technical leadership and governance, including technical review, quality assurance, design risk management and compliance with relevant legislation, codes and standards.
• Keep pace with changes in codes, standards and regulation, ensuring the team is trained and ready to respond.
• Maintain oversight of the wider project portfolio, stepping in where needed on programme, technical, commercial, resourcing or client matters.
• Lead, develop and retain a high-performing team through succession planning, recruitment, performance management, mentoring and the development of future technical and operational leaders.
• Collaborate with international engineering partners - primarily our teams in Spain and Vietnam - to win and deliver international projects and maximise profitability.
• Champion collaboration across Engineering and the wider Building & Real Estate division, particularly on complex, higher-risk and multidisciplinary projects.
• Act as a senior ambassador for SOCOTEC with clients and across the industry, contributing to conferences, CPD, thought leadership and other activities that build our reputation.
• Champion a strong culture of health and safety, quality, professional integrity and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status through IStructE, ICE or an equivalent professional body.
• Significant experience in structural engineering consultancy, including leading teams and delivering complex projects.
• A proven track record of managing a structural engineering business, team or substantial portfolio with commercial and financial accountability.
• Strong technical knowledge of structural and civil engineering design, assessment and construction across a range of building types, materials and project stages.
• Commercially astute, with experience of fee development, appointments, financial management, forecasting and risk management.
• A strong track record of developing client relationships, winning work and generating repeat business.
• A confident, credible communicator, able to engage effectively with clients, senior stakeholders, multidisciplinary teams and colleagues at all levels.
• An effective people leader, able to set clear expectations, build capability, manage performance and cultivate an accountable, collaborative culture.
• Sound judgement and decision-making skills, balancing technical, commercial, client and people considerations.
• Highly organised and self-motivated, with the ability to prioritise across multiple projects, clients and business requirements.
• A genuine commitment to quality, professional standards, health & safety and continuous improvement.
• Skilled at developing systems and workflows that streamline the business and create efficient ways of working and reporting.

Additional Information

Why SOCOTEC?

Join a thriving community of over 2,000 industry professionals who are passionate about making a real difference. At SOCOTEC UK, we're not just delivering services - we're shaping the future of testing, inspection, and certification across the nation.

What sets us apart? Our people. We've built our reputation on attracting exceptional talent like you and empowering them to deliver excellence at every turn. Our comprehensive range of TIC services means you'll have the opportunity to work on diverse, challenging projects that truly matter.

In this role, you won't just be another employee - you'll be a key player in our continued success story. Your expertise will directly contribute to our mission of building a safer, more sustainable world, while you grow your career alongside some of the industry's finest professionals.

Your Career, Your Way

Build a traditional career path or explore opportunities across multiple disciplines - all within SOCOTEC. Your choice, your direction.

Work Your Way

Local, national, or global projects. Office-based, remote, or hybrid. We offer the flexibility that empowers you to perform at your best.

Committed to Your Growth

From day one, you'll have access to comprehensive training, mentorship, and development programs. We support every step of your professional journey. #YouGrowWeGrow

Think you've got what it takes to add value to our success? We would love to hear from you and look forward to receiving your application.

Building a safer and more sustainable world is the core mission we set out to achieve at SOCOTEC, it is at the heart of everything that we do. We are committed to acting as a key player in society, investing in innovative solutions to ensure social and environmental concerns are at the forefront of all of our business operations.