At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire structural engineering teams to deliver innovative design solutions.
- Company: Join AECOM, a global leader in infrastructure consulting.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid work options, competitive salary, and diverse benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities and the environment through your work.
- Qualifications: Chartered Structural Engineer with significant leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
AECOM is a global leader in infrastructure consulting, delivering professional services across the project lifecycle from advisory, planning, design and engineering to programme management and construction management. Across the UK & Ireland, AECOM's Structural Engineering practice works across public and private sectors, delivering award-winning design solutions spanning commercial, residential, transport, defence, healthcare, education, and major mixed-use environments.
The Head of Structural Engineering will also play a key role in business development, major pursuits, key client relationships, talent strategy, and practice-wide innovation.
Key Responsibilities- Leadership & Strategy: Define and deliver the strategic vision for the Structural Engineering practice across the UK & Ireland. Lead, inspire, and develop high-performing structural engineering teams across multiple locations. Align structural engineering strategy with AECOM's wider business and growth objectives. Champion a culture of design excellence, technical quality, collaboration, and innovation. Represent the structural engineering discipline within regional and global leadership forums.
- Business Development & Market Growth: Drive market positioning and growth across priority sectors (e.g., Transportation, Defence, Healthcare, Commercial, Education, Mixed-Use, Government). Lead major pursuits, bids, and proposal strategies in partnership with the Work Winning team. Develop and maintain senior-level client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor. Identify and pursue new market opportunities, strategic partnerships, and frameworks.
- Project & Design Leadership: Provide oversight on major structural engineering and multi-disciplinary commissions, ensuring quality, risk management, compliance, and design integrity. Serve as Design Authority or Technical Reviewer on complex, high-profile projects. Promote integrated, multidisciplinary working across engineering, digital, planning, and advisory teams.
- Technical Leadership: Possess Technical Capabilities to resolve complex problems and represent a focal point for technical expertise. Possess a degree of recognition and standing within the industry for technical proficiency in structural engineering.
- Operational & Financial Management: Accountable for practice-wide financial performance, revenue forecasting, utilisation, and profitability. Oversee resource planning, project staffing, and capacity management. Implement consistent operational standards, QA/QC processes, and best practice delivery tools.
- People & Talent Development: Lead talent strategy for the Structural Engineering practice including recruitment, retention, succession planning, and early careers development. Foster a diverse, inclusive, supportive studio culture. Promote professional accreditation, CPD, and career progression pathways.
- Digital, Sustainability & Innovation: Champion digital design tools (Revit, BIM, parametric design, digital twins). Embed sustainability principles aligned to AECOM's ESG and net-zero goals. Encourage research, thought leadership, and new ways of working.
- Chartered Structural Engineer (MIStructE or FIStructE).
- Significant experience in leading structural engineering teams at a senior or director level.
- Demonstrable track record in delivering major projects and managing large multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong commercial acumen with experience in P&L responsibility.
- Proven business development and client relationship management experience.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and strategic leadership skills.
- Experience with BIM and digital design workflows.
- Experience working within large consultancy or multidisciplinary environments.
- Established reputation and network within UK structural consultancy markets.
- Experience with major complex infrastructure, defence, transportation, healthcare or large-scale commercial/mixed-use schemes.
- Familiarity with ISO19650, UK building regulations, government frameworks, and procurement routes.
At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.
You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you're working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.
AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We're the world's trusted global infrastructure firm, and we're in this together - your growth and success are ours too.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours. We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role.
Head of Structural Engineering UK & Ireland in Manchester employer: AECOM
At AECOM, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive career development opportunities, flexible hybrid working arrangements, and a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion. Join us in our mission to deliver a better world while enjoying the benefits of working with a global leader in infrastructure consulting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Structural Engineering UK & Ireland in Manchester
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Head of Structural Engineering UK & Ireland role you’re after at AECOM.
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✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at AECOM.
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Structural Engineering UK & Ireland in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Head of Structural Engineering UK & Ireland, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at AECOM a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to AECOM specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at AECOM
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with AECOM, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like AECOM want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
