Technical Director (Civil and Utilities) United Kingdom London Application Deadline 26 September 2026

Do you want to impact the strategy for sustainable infrastructure? Can you inspire the civil engineers of the future? Are you experienced in overseeing major utilities projects? Then, join us to shape a sustainable and liveable world.

Create Solutions that will enable a better tomorrow. To further expand our Leadership team in London, we are looking for a Technical Director to join us. Working on a variety of UK water & utility infrastructure projects, you’ll take responsibility for technical deliverables, quality assurance, project leadership and line management.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Technical leadership of our team of civil, structural and infrastructure design engineers and technicians.
• Overseeing and co-ordinating projects from feasibility to detailed design and delivery, in particular, guiding the technical approach to solving complex engineering problems.
• Overseeing the development of conceptual designs and setting the direction of the project.
• Development of project controls and monitoring of progress against programme, deliverables and technical strategy.
• Ensuring that design, assessments and checking of designs are in accordance with the current Standards and Codes of Practice.
• Approval of designs, assessments and calculations in accordance with quality procedures.
• Introduction of innovative solutions to meet carbon reduction goals, and digital design solutions.
• Overseeing preparation of safety plans and CDM compliance.
• Supervising coordination of work undertaken by external sub-contractors and design checkers.
• Liaison with clients to explain the technical solutions and design development.
• Mentoring of less experienced staff as required, and line management of a team of engineers.
• Maximising business development opportunities wherever possible and working with the leadership team to set the direction for the office.
• Preparation and review of bids and tenders when required.
• Attending client meetings and building relationships with clients and other stakeholders.

Your skills. Our team. Together we design the future. Like us, you believe that leadership success comes from setting a clear and meaningful direction for your team and supporting them in taking ownership of their work. You are a leader of others, who delegates responsibility and ensures an open and safe dialogue. You coach your people to achieve their aspirations through constructive, fact-based feedback. Attracting and nurturing a diverse group of high-potential team members is at the top of your agenda, as is creating an inclusive, caring and trusting culture in your team.

On top of that, you’ll have:

• Achieved Chartered Engineer status with a relevant Institution (e.g. MICE or MIStructE).
• Demonstrable relevant UK civil engineering design experience, particularly in utilities diversion.
• A high level of technical skills, knowledge and experience of relevant industry standards.
• A sound understanding and experience in the application of the CDM Regulations.
• Experience in Project Management and Line Management with an enthusiasm for developing your team.

At COWI, we work together with our customers to shape a sustainable and liveable world. We do it by applying our knowledge and curiosity – and sometimes even our courage – to create the solutions the world needs today to enable a better tomorrow. We support our customers’ transition towards increased sustainability. We strive to lead by example by embedding environmental management, social responsibility and good governance into our business practices and the options we provide to our customers.

We value differences and development and cultivate an environment of belonging and having fun. Because that is what brings out the best in you, at work and at home.

With offices primarily located in the Nordic region, the UK, North America and India, we are currently more than 7,500 people who bring their expertise in engineering, architecture, energy and environment into play.

What we also offer:

To us, a fair reward is more than a competitive salary. We want to take care of our people professionally and personally as well. Some of our benefits include:

• 28 days' holiday plus all UK bank and public holidays.
• Formalised development plans and yearly promotion opportunities.
• Private health care, for you and a contribution from you for your immediate dependents.
• Flexible and hybrid working conditions.
• Annual subscription fees paid for your membership of two Professional Institutions.
• Group personal pension scheme – salary exchange.
• Life assurance.
• Maternity Leave: 1-20 weeks full pay, 21-26 weeks half pay, 27-39 Statutory (SMP) 40-52 weeks unpaid (eligibility criteria will apply).
• Paternity Leave: 12 weeks full pay (eligibility criteria will apply).
• Optional benefits include: Electric vehicle lease, Annual Rail card (available for under 30s).

COWI provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.