At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative bridge engineering projects and mentor a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Buro Happold, a purpose-led organisation focused on sustainability and equity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, hybrid working, private medical cover, and flexible benefits.
- Other info: We celebrate diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups.
- Why this job: Shape the future of bridge engineering while making a real impact in the community.
- Qualifications: Extensive bridge engineering experience and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Buro Happold is seeking an experienced and knowledgeable Associate Director to join our UK Bridges Team in London or Leeds, delivering excellence on Bridges and Civil Structures projects. Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. At Buro Happold, you’ll join a purpose-led organisation where sustainability, equity, and performance are at the heart of our mission. We value integrity and bold thinking, and we’re looking for professionals who are ready to lead by example and shape the future of bridge engineering.
Our Bridges team combines technical excellence with practical construction insight to deliver efficient, buildable, and sustainable designs from concept through to completion. We are driven by a commitment to the highest standards and a passion for elegant, innovative solutions.
You will guide the delivery of multidisciplinary bridge projects, balancing technical excellence with strategic, commercial, and leadership responsibilities. This is a post for an engineer with a strong technical bridge engineering background who is motivated by winning work, executing high-profile UK and international infrastructure, and development of colleagues.
Your skills and experience:
- Extensive technical experience of bridge engineering in the UK, including leadership of major public infrastructure projects.
- In-depth understanding of the UK’s public infrastructure and procurement landscape.
- Proven track record in management of complex, multidisciplinary delivery of projects including highways, rail, utilities, or urban civil structures.
- Demonstrable experience of successful work winning, commercial stewardship, and client relationship development in the public sector.
- Chartered status with a relevant professional institution (e.g., MICE, MIStructE) and commitment to professional progression.
Key Duties:
- Lead the design and delivery of significant bridge and civil engineering projects across UK public infrastructure.
- Serve as Project Director/Leader on major multi- or single-disciplinary commissions, establishing robust management systems and ensuring high-quality output.
- Provide team leadership, coaching, and mentoring of engineers, promoting best practice in technical and commercial delivery in the Bridges team.
- Oversee project finances, actively managing resources, monitoring and controlling fee expenditure, and conducting commercial negotiations.
- Take a lead role in work winning: identify opportunities, produce compelling bids, and pursue strategic business development, with focus on the UK public sector and other sectors and geographies.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, collaborators, and stakeholders and fellow professionals, acting as a principal representative for Buro Happold.
- Advance knowledge of industry trends, digital best practice, sustainability, and reduction of embodied carbon in bridge design.
- Champion health, safety, environment and welfare, and improve quality standards in all activities.
- Vision for growth and development of the discipline, the team, and the wider business.
What we offer:
- Holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum, exclusive of Bank Holidays.
- Hybrid working arrangements.
- Private Medical Health (family cover).
- Company Pension Scheme.
- Life Assurance.
- Income Protection.
- Flexible Benefits - including Cycle scheme, Dental insurance, Optical Cover, Travel insurance and Corporate discounts.
- Early leaving at the end of the month - Buro Happold actively encourages its employees to finish at 3pm on the last Friday of each month (depending on business demands).
A place for everyone. Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers. Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive. We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.
Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact recruitment@burohappold.com so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.
Associate Director- Bridges in London employer: BuroHappold Engineering
Buro Happold is an exceptional employer that champions sustainability, equity, and performance within a diverse and inclusive work culture. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer extensive benefits including hybrid working arrangements, private medical health cover, and a commitment to professional development, making it an ideal place for engineers looking to make a meaningful impact in bridge engineering. Our London and Leeds locations provide a vibrant backdrop for collaboration on high-profile infrastructure projects, ensuring that every team member can thrive and contribute to innovative solutions.
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We think this is how you could land Associate Director- Bridges in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director- Bridges in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Associate Director- Bridges, 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 BuroHappold Engineering 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 BuroHappold Engineering 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 BuroHappold Engineering
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with BuroHappold Engineering, 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 BuroHappold Engineering 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.
