Associate Director – Civil Engineering

At Caulmert, we don’t just design infrastructure, we build futures. As a rapidly growing, employee-owned engineering, environmental and planning consultancy, we pride ourselves on innovation, technical excellence, and delivering service that makes a real difference. This is your chance to step into a strategic leadership role, shape a thriving team, and influence high-profile civil engineering projects across the UK. Your ambition, vision and drive will find their home here.

Who will I be working with? You’ll become part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary community that values integrity, excellence and teamwork. Caulmert operates from a network of regional offices (including Nottingham, Manchester, Kent, North Wales) and delivers projects across sectors including infrastructure, residential, commercial, energy, rail, water and waste. You’ll report to the Director of Engineering / Senior leadership team, and work alongside civil, structural, geotechnical, environmental and planning specialists. You will also liaise with clients, contractors, local authorities, and other stakeholders, helping to drive business growth and technical delivery in unison with Caulmert’s culture, values and ambitions.

So, what will the role of Associate Director – Civil Engineering entail? As Associate Director of Civil Engineering, you will combine strategic leadership with hands‑on technical oversight. Your responsibilities will include:

• Contributing to and executing Caulmert’s strategic growth plans (business development, market positioning, service expansion)
• Leading and growing the civil engineering team, mentoring, coaching, recruiting and retaining talent
• Overseeing design and delivery across civil engineering projects: highways, drainage, infrastructure, earthworks, site works, SuDS, utilities, etc.
• Ensuring compliance with regulations, codes of practice, health & safety, quality, environmental standards, and company QEMS (ISO) procedures
• Acting as Principal Designer under CDM 2015 (where applicable)
• Managing project budgets, fee proposals, risk, resource allocation, contract management, and financial performance
• Building strong relationships with clients, engineers, contractors, authorities and other stakeholders
• Identifying new business leads, supporting marketing/sales efforts, and converting opportunities
• Driving continuous improvement in workflows, technical standards, tools, digital delivery, and efficiency

This is a senior role that blends visionary leadership, technical credibility and commercial acumen.

What will I need in order to be considered for this role? To excel, you will ideally bring the following:

• Chartered Civil Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional accreditation
• Degree and/or postgraduate qualification in Civil / Structural Engineering
• Significant experience (typically 20+ years) in civil/infrastructure engineering delivery, with a substantial portion in a leadership / senior technical role
• Proven track record of managing and delivering multi-disciplinary civil engineering projects (UK and internationally)
• Strong commercial awareness: preparing fees, managing P&L, business growth
• Leadership and people management skills: coaching, mentoring, developing teams
• Excellent stakeholder and client management, communication and negotiation skills
• Understanding of standards, regulations, codes, health & safety, CDM, design risk, etc.
• A commitment to the values of Caulmert: integrity, quality, innovation, teamwork
• Willingness to travel to regional offices and client / project sites as required

Desirable / Advantageous:

• Experience working in a consultancy environment
• Background in bidding, marketing and new business development
• Familiarity with digital tools (BIM Level 2, modelling, civil software etc.)
• Exposure to multiple sectors (transport, utilities, energy, water, waste)
• Experience in shaping policy, process, culture in a growing organisation

What will I receive in return? At Caulmert, we believe in rewarding excellence and investing in our people. Benefits include:

• Attractive and competitive salary package, reflecting experience and seniority
• Flexible working and hybrid options to support work–life balance
• Private medical care, pension, and additional benefits
• Opportunity to purchase company shares / equity participation (employee‑owned ethos)
• A friendly, inclusive, sociable environment across multiple offices
• Exposure to a diverse and high‑impact project portfolio across sectors
• Real opportunity for career progression to Director / Board levels

The Company is an equal opportunities employer and aims to ensure a workplace where people are treated with dignity and respect, and where trust and empowerment are encouraged.

As part of our recruitment process, Caulmert is expected to carry out a ‘Right to work’ check on all staff. This will require obtaining original copies of one or more of the ‘acceptable documents’ as given in the Home Office Guidance “An Employer’s Guide to Right to Work Checks”: 31 August 2021. Further information is available from our HR department upon request.

Location: Flexible

Contract Type: Permanent

How to apply: We’re excited to hear from high calibre candidates who want to make an impact at Caulmert. To apply, please submit your CV and covering letter (detailing your suitability, leadership vision, and career ambitions) to recruitment@caulmert.com. Alternatively, send applications to Donna Milne, HR Manager, Caulmert Ltd, InTec, Parc Menai, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 4FG. Please note: Caulmert does not accept unsolicited applications from recruitment agencies or their terms unless pre‑agreed with the HR Manager. Applications will be treated in confidence.