Associate Director

Associate Director - Highway Engineering Design

Location

Flexible / Hybrid Working

Reports To

Director / Head of Engineering Design

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and commercially focused Associate Director - Highway Engineering Design to lead the delivery of a diverse portfolio of highway engineering, traffic, active travel and public realm projects across the UK.

This is a senior leadership position for an individual with a strong technical background, proven project delivery capability, and a successful track record in business development. The role offers the opportunity to lead multidisciplinary teams, develop long-term client relationships, drive business growth, and shape the future direction of an expanding Highway Design Practice.

The successful candidate will be responsible for generating and managing workload for themselves and a team of approximately five engineering professionals, while ensuring the highest standards of quality, technical excellence and client service.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership and Delivery

• Lead the successful delivery of multidisciplinary highway engineering projects from concept and feasibility through to detailed design and implementation.
• Manage a broad range of traffic engineering, active travel, public realm, highway infrastructure and development‑related projects.
• Act as Project Manager on complex and high‑profile schemes, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and to agreed quality standards.
• Manage project risks, resources, programmes and stakeholder expectations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, standards, client requirements and quality management procedures.
• Maintain a strong focus on commercial performance, project profitability and client satisfaction.

Technical Leadership

• Provide expert technical guidance and leadership across a wide range of highway design projects.
• Review and assure technical outputs to ensure compliance with relevant standards, guidance and best practice.
• Lead the development and implementation of innovative and efficient design solutions.
• Promote continuous improvement and share lessons learned across teams and projects.
• Support the development of new service offerings and technical capabilities in response to market trends and client needs.

Business Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients.
• Identify opportunities for new and repeat business across a range of sectors.
• Lead or contribute to bids, tenders, framework submissions and fee proposals.
• Develop opportunities that generate sustainable revenue growth and support wider business objectives.
• Represent the business at client meetings, industry events and networking opportunities.
• Maintain an active professional network and identify emerging market opportunities.

Client and Stakeholder Management

• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing strategic and technical guidance.
• Understand client challenges and develop practical, commercially viable solutions.
• Manage relationships with local authorities, developers, contractors and other key stakeholders.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration between multidisciplinary teams and project partners.
• Resolve complex stakeholder issues through effective negotiation, influence and leadership.

People Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor and support engineers and designers within the team.
• Foster a positive, collaborative and high‑performing culture.
• Support recruitment, employee development and succession planning activities.
• Encourage knowledge sharing and professional development across teams.
• Provide coaching and technical guidance to support the growth of less experienced colleagues.

Key Accountabilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Generate and maintain a substantial portfolio of fee‑earning work.
• Secure and deliver complex multidisciplinary projects.
• Support the development and growth of a team of approximately five engineers and designers.
• Drive client satisfaction and repeat business opportunities.
• Contribute to strategic business planning and service development.
• Champion best practice in project delivery, health and safety, quality management and technical excellence.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience delivering highway engineering, traffic, active travel and public realm projects through concept, preliminary and detailed design stages.
• Proven experience leading highway and infrastructure design projects within urban and development‑led environments.
• Strong understanding of UK highway design standards, guidance and approval processes.
• Experience preparing and managing Section 278 and Section 38 submissions for both permanent and temporary highway works.
• Proven experience in active travel, cycling, walking and road‑space reallocation schemes.
• Strong understanding of BIM processes, Common Data Environments (CDEs) and digital project delivery.
• Experience using industry‑standard highway design software, including AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
• Ability to manage and deliver projects to programme, budget and quality requirements.
• Demonstrable leadership experience with the ability to inspire, mentor and develop technical teams.
• Strong commercial acumen and experience securing new business opportunities.
• Experience preparing fee proposals, bid submissions and tender responses.
• Excellent stakeholder management and client relationship skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong technical report writing and presentation capabilities.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or working towards chartership.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution, such as:
  • Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)
  • Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT)
  • Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
• Experience working on complex multidisciplinary infrastructure projects.
• Established network of industry contacts and clients.
• Experience working collaboratively across multiple business disciplines and technical teams.

Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor's degree (BEng, MEng or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Strong technical knowledge of highway engineering principles, standards and software applications.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a highly motivated and technically accomplished professional who combines engineering expertise with commercial awareness and strong leadership capability. The ideal candidate will be a proactive problem solver, an excellent communicator, and a trusted advisor to clients and colleagues alike.

This is an excellent opportunity to take on a senior leadership role, influence the delivery of significant infrastructure projects, and play a key part in the continued growth and success of a dynamic engineering design team.

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