Technical Director – Coastal Engineering

Job Description

Location: This position can be based in any one of our offices in the UK and Ireland

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Technical Director to further grow and drive our Coastal Engineering capability within our ports, coastal, maritime and climate resilience business. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an established coastal professional who combines strong technical expertise with strategic thinking, client management and a passion for producing sustainable solutions and working within our Ramboll global network of coastal engineers where you will have the opportunity to influence excellence in our global delivery.

The role offers the opportunity to shape the future direction of our coastal engineering business, expand our presence across key markets and spearhead the delivery of complex and nationally significant coastal and maritime projects. Working alongside multidisciplinary teams across engineering, environmental, planning and infrastructure disciplines, you will help deliver resilient and sustainable solutions that respond to climate change, coastal risk and evolving infrastructure needs.

We are looking for someone who is motivated not only by technical excellence, but also by growing client relationships, developing people, and building a strong and sustainable coastal engineering team for the future.

The Role

You will provide technical, strategic, and commercial leadership across a diverse portfolio of coastal and maritime projects. You will play a central role in business development, framework management, and project delivery, while supporting the continued growth and visibility of the coastal practice.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Directing the delivery of major coastal and maritime engineering projects and programmes.
• Providing technical oversight and assurance for coastal defense, flood resilience, and waterfront infrastructure schemes.
• Leading the development of innovative and sustainable engineering solutions for coastal adaptation and climate resilience.
• Driving business growth through client engagement, work winning and strategic market development.
• Expanding and strengthening the coastal engineering team through further recruitment, mentoring and capability development.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, partners, regulators and industry stakeholders.
• Identifying and pursuing opportunities across public and private sector markets, including coastal resilience, ports, waterfront development, and energy infrastructure.
• Supporting multidisciplinary collaboration across engineering, environmental and advisory services.
• Acting as a senior technical authority and trusted advisor to clients and project teams.
• Overseeing project performance, commercial management, and quality assurance.
• Representing the business externally through industry engagement, conferences, and professional networks.

About You

You will be an experienced coastal engineering professional with a strong reputation for technical leadership, project delivery and client development.

You are likely to demonstrate:

• A degree in Civil Engineering, Coastal Engineering or a related discipline; postgraduate qualifications are desirable.
• Chartered Engineer status with ICE, CIWEM or an equivalent professional institution.
• Significant experience delivering coastal and maritime infrastructure projects within a consultancy or related environment.
• Strong technical knowledge of coastal processes, flood risk, coastal adaptation, and maritime infrastructure design.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and managing large or complex projects and frameworks.
• A proven track record in business development, client relationship management and winning work.
• Commercial awareness and experience managing project financial performance.
• Strong leadership and people management skills, including mentoring and team development.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and strategic planning capabilities.
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.

What We Offer

This role provides the opportunity to play a defining role in the growth and direction of a developing coastal engineering business, while contributing to projects that create lasting environmental, social and infrastructure value.

We offer:

• A senior leadership position with significant influence over business growth and technical direction.
• The opportunity to shape and expand a growing coastal engineering team.
• Involvement in nationally significant and technically challenging projects.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• A collaborative and supportive professional environment.
• Ongoing professional development and leadership opportunities.
• Competitive salary, performance-related rewards and comprehensive benefits package.

If you are looking for an opportunity to lead, influence and grow a coastal engineering business while delivering meaningful and impactful projects, we would welcome the opportunity to hear from you.