Associate Geotechnical

An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced Associate Geotechnical Engineer to join the London office of a well‑established multidisciplinary engineering consultancy. This is a senior leadership position offering responsibility for managing and developing a team of four geotechnical professionals, overseeing the commercial and technical delivery of projects and supporting the continued growth of the London geotechnical service.

The successful candidate will take a leading role in business development, client management, project delivery and team leadership. For someone who performs well and contributes successfully to the growth of the business, there is a clear opportunity to progress into a Partner‑level role. This position would suit a Chartered Geotechnical Engineer with strong commercial awareness, a proven track record of delivering profitable consultancy projects and the confidence to build lasting relationships with clients.

About the Consultancy: The employer is an established multidisciplinary engineering consultancy providing specialist geotechnical, environmental, structural and civil engineering services across the UK. Its teams support projects throughout the property, infrastructure, commercial, residential and public sectors, delivering technical advice from initial feasibility and ground investigation through to detailed design, construction and completion. The London geotechnical team works closely with other technical disciplines across the business, providing clients with coordinated and commercially focused engineering solutions.

The Role: As Associate Geotechnical Engineer, you will be responsible for the leadership, technical direction and commercial performance of the London geotechnical team. You will manage a team of four staff, ensuring that projects are delivered safely, profitably and to a high technical standard. You will also play an active role in generating new business, developing key client accounts and identifying opportunities for further growth. The role combines technical leadership, people management, project delivery, business development and commercial responsibility.

• Team Leadership and Management: Lead, manage and develop a team of four geotechnical professionals; allocate work and manage team resources across multiple projects; provide technical guidance, support and quality oversight; set clear objectives and monitor individual and team performance; mentor engineers and support their professional development; undertake staff reviews and contribute to recruitment and succession planning; promote collaboration, accountability and high professional standards; support team members working towards Chartered status; build a positive and commercially focused team culture.
• Technical Leadership: Provide senior technical input across a wide range of geotechnical projects; lead the development of geotechnical strategies and design solutions; review and approve calculations, reports, specifications and technical deliverables; oversee geotechnical interpretative reporting and ground models; provide advice on foundations, retaining structures, slopes, earthworks and ground improvement; review ground investigation scopes and technical requirements; ensure work is delivered in accordance with current standards, guidance and best practice; manage technical risks and provide solutions to complex engineering challenges; act as a senior technical point of contact for clients and project teams.
• Project Delivery: Take responsibility for the successful delivery of geotechnical projects; manage projects from proposal and appointment through to completion; develop project programmes, resource plans and delivery strategies; ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the required quality; coordinate technical input from internal teams and external specialists; monitor project progress, risks, costs and resource requirements; maintain clear and accurate project documentation; provide regular updates to clients, directors and internal stakeholders; support the resolution of technical, contractual and programme issues.
• Commercial Management: Take responsibility for the commercial delivery and profitability of projects; prepare and review fee proposals, scopes of work and commercial submissions; monitor project budgets, expenditure, invoicing and work in progress; manage variations, changes in scope and additional service opportunities; review project performance and take corrective action where required; ensure suitable commercial terms and appointments are agreed; support forecasting, financial planning and team budgeting; improve project margins through effective resource and cost management; maintain a strong understanding of contractual and commercial risk; contribute to the overall financial performance of the London office.
• Business Development: Identify and secure new geotechnical project opportunities; develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients; grow key accounts and identify opportunities for repeat business; attend client meetings, industry events and networking opportunities; prepare bids, tenders, proposals and presentations; work with Partners and Directors to develop regional growth plans; promote the consultancy's geotechnical capabilities across target sectors; build relationships with developers, contractors, architects and fellow consultants; monitor market activity and identify emerging commercial opportunities; cross‑sell services across the wider multidisciplinary business.
• Client and Stakeholder Management: Act as a trusted senior adviser to clients; build long‑term relationships through reliable and commercially focused delivery; understand client objectives, risks and project priorities; present technical advice clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders; manage client expectations throughout the project lifecycle; attend design‑team, project and commercial meetings; resolve concerns promptly and professionally; represent the geotechnical team internally and externally.
• Strategic Growth and Progression: Support the strategic development of the London geotechnical service; help define team growth, recruitment and investment priorities; contribute to wider business planning and operational decisions; identify opportunities to expand services, sectors and client relationships; demonstrate the leadership, commercial performance and business‑development capability required for progression; work towards a future Partner‑level appointment based on performance and business contribution.

About You: You will be a commercially minded and technically accomplished geotechnical engineer with experience operating at Principal, Associate or Associate Director level within a UK consultancy environment. You should have a proven ability to lead teams, manage client relationships and deliver projects successfully from both a technical and financial perspective. The role requires someone who can balance detailed engineering knowledge with commercial decision‑making, business development and people leadership. You will need the confidence to represent the business externally, secure new opportunities and play a leading role in growing the London geotechnical team.

Essential Requirements: Degree in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Engineering Geology or a related discipline; Chartered Engineer status through an appropriate professional institution; significant UK geotechnical consultancy experience; previous experience at Principal, Associate or comparable senior level; proven experience managing and developing technical staff; strong knowledge of geotechnical investigation, interpretation and design; experience delivering geotechnical projects across multiple sectors; strong commercial project‑delivery skills; experience managing fees, budgets, work in progress and project profitability; ability to prepare commercially sound proposals and fee submissions; proven client‑management and stakeholder‑engagement skills; experience supporting or leading business‑development activity; excellent written, verbal and presentation skills; strong leadership, organisation and decision‑making ability; ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities; willingness to work from the London office three to four days per week.

Preferred Requirements: MSc in Geotechnical Engineering, Soil Mechanics, Engineering Geology or a related discipline; experience leading an established geotechnical team; existing relationships within the London development, property or infrastructure market; proven track record of winning work and growing client accounts; experience contributing to business planning and regional growth strategies; knowledge of multidisciplinary consultancy delivery; experience preparing and negotiating consultancy appointments; previous responsibility for team budgets and financial forecasting; ambition and capability to progress into a Partner‑level position.

Salary and Package: Excellent basic salary; company car allowance; company benefits package; 37.5‑hour working week; hybrid working arrangement; three to four days per week in the London office; senior leadership responsibility; genuine route to a future Partner‑level role; long‑term professional and commercial development.

Why Apply? Lead and develop an established team of four geotechnical professionals; take ownership of the commercial and technical performance of the team; play a central role in growing the London geotechnical service; build and develop key client relationships; gain direct involvement in business strategy and decision‑making; work across varied and technically challenging projects; receive a competitive salary and company car allowance; progress towards a Partner‑level role based on performance and contribution.

Inclusion and Diversity: The consultancy is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment where individuals from all backgrounds are welcomed, respected and given the opportunity to progress. Applications are encouraged from suitably qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or neurodiversity. Reasonable adjustments can be provided throughout the recruitment process.