Job Description

Associate Director - Civil & Structural Engineering

Manchester City Centre £70,000 - £80,000+ DOE | Hybrid Working | High-Profile UK Infrastructure Projects

I'm working with a leading engineering consultancy with a strong track record delivering complex, large-scale civil and structural projects across the UK and internationally. They're looking to appoint an Associate Director to help lead and grow their heavy civil engineering capability in Manchester.

This is a senior technical and leadership role within a business that works on some of the UK's most high-profile infrastructure programmes, particularly in sectors like Defence, Energy, Water, and Major Cities & Development.

You'll be involved in shaping transformational projects that range from cutting-edge energy facilities to critical infrastructure. The role offers the scope to own project delivery, set technical standards, and play a major part in developing the team's expertise.

If you're a chartered engineer with experience leading the design and delivery of heavy civils projects — reinforced concrete structures, large-scale steelwork, complex foundations — this could be a defining next step in your career.

What you'll be doing:

1. Leading multidisciplinary design teams through all project phases, from concept to construction
2. Defining scopes of work, preparing bids and proposals, and contributing to business development
3. Managing budgets, resources, and programmes to ensure delivery to agreed milestones
4. Setting quality assurance standards and ensuring compliance with relevant design codes
5. Working closely with other UK and international offices to deliver integrated engineering solutions
6. Growing and developing the team's heavy civils expertise, mentoring and supporting colleagues

What they're looking for:

• Chartered Civil or Structural Engineer (CEng MICE / MIStructE or equivalent)
• Proven experience in heavy civil engineering design and delivery
• Strong technical knowledge of reinforced concrete and steel structures, ideally with experience in both British Standards and potentially international codes (e.g., ACI)
• Comfortable managing multidisciplinary project delivery and leading client-facing engagements
• A track record of working on major infrastructure projects, ideally in sectors such as Defence, Energy, or Water
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor and develop teams

What's on offer:

• Salary in the region of £70,000 - £85,000+ depending on experience and seniority
• Hybrid working with flexibility around office days
• Opportunity to work on nationally significant and technically challenging projects
• Genuine scope to influence the direction and growth of the heavy civils capability
• Strong benefits package including enhanced pension, bonus scheme, and professional subscriptions

If you're a senior-level civil/structural engineer looking to step into a role with real influence and the opportunity to work on the UK's most important infrastructure projects, I'd love to hear from you. For a confidential chat or to find out more, get in touch.

Andrew Wilson
Senior Recruitment Consultant - Calibre Search
Associate Director - Civil & Structural Engineering

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