At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor a civil engineering team while overseeing project delivery and client engagement.
- Company: Dynamic civil engineering consultancy with a focus on leadership and team development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, hybrid working, and 25 days annual leave.
- Why this job: Shape the future of civil engineering and progress to board level in just 12 months.
- Qualifications: Strong civil engineering background and leadership skills; chartership preferred but not essential.
- Other info: Join a supportive culture with opportunities for professional growth and active social events.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: UK (Hybrid working available). Sector: Civil Engineering / Infrastructure Consultancy.
We’re working with one of our consultancy clients who are looking to appoint a Principal Civil Engineer to lead their civil engineering team. This is a senior, strategic hire and a key leadership role within the business.
The focus of this position is on team leadership, project oversight, and client engagement, rather than day-to-day design production. While there may be times where you provide technical input or get involved in design, the core purpose of the role is to manage and develop the civil team, oversee technical quality, and act as a senior point of contact for clients and stakeholders.
This opportunity would suit someone who enjoys shaping teams, mentoring engineers, and being closely involved in the direction of projects and the wider business. A standout feature of this role is the clear progression pathway to board level, with the opportunity for the successful person to move into a board position in as little as 12 months, based on performance and fit.
The Role
- Leading and managing the civil engineering team
- Overseeing project delivery, technical quality, and resourcing
- Acting as a senior technical authority and escalation point
- Mentoring, supporting, and developing engineers at all levels
- Playing a key role in setting technical standards, processes, and best practice
- Attending and leading client meetings, providing trusted technical input
- Supporting project planning, programming, and commercial performance
- Contributing to the strategic growth and direction of the business
This role will primarily support private sector development projects, while also maintaining involvement in public sector schemes.
About You
This position would suit a senior civil engineer who is ready to step into a broader leadership role, or an existing principal/associate looking for a clearer route to strategic influence.
We’re looking for someone who:
- Has a strong civil engineering consultancy background
- Is comfortable leading teams rather than purely delivering designs
- Enjoys mentoring and developing technical staff
- Is confident and credible in client-facing situations
- Brings strong technical knowledge across civil/infrastructure design
- Can oversee multiple projects and teams simultaneously
- Is commercially aware and experienced in consultancy project environments
- Is chartered or working towards chartership (preferred, not essential)
While business development and bringing in new clients is not the core focus of this role, you will be expected to build strong relationships with existing clients and represent the business at a senior level.
Technical Background
You’ll bring a broad technical foundation in civil and infrastructure engineering, enabling you to guide teams, review work, and provide high-level technical direction. This may include experience in areas such as:
- Infrastructure and civil engineering design
- Drainage and SuDS
- Highways and development infrastructure
- Multi-disciplinary project delivery
- Private sector development projects and public sector works
Hands-on design capability is beneficial, but not essential, as the emphasis is on leadership, oversight, and technical governance.
Leadership, Ownership & Progression
This is an employee-led business where people are genuinely invested in the long-term success of the company. The incoming Principal will be viewed as part of the future leadership group, with a defined opportunity to progress to board level within as little as 12 months. They place a strong focus on empowering senior staff, developing leaders internally, and giving high performers a real voice in the direction of the business.
Benefits
- Competitive senior-level salary
- Clear and accelerated pathway to board-level progression
- Performance-related bonus
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Hybrid working and compressed hours
- Pension scheme with employer contributions
- Private medical insurance
- Season ticket loan & cycle to work scheme
- Ongoing professional development and leadership training
- Active social and sports events calendar
Civil infrastrucutre lead employer: ibse
Contact Detail:
ibse Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Civil infrastrucutre lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We want to see you shine, so practice answering common questions and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, we love seeing familiar names pop up in our applications!
We think you need these skills to ace Civil infrastrucutre lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal Civil Engineer role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant projects you've overseen, as we want to see how you can lead our civil engineering team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about civil engineering and how your background makes you a perfect fit for this leadership role. Don’t forget to mention your mentoring style and client engagement experience!
Showcase Your Technical Knowledge: While this role focuses on leadership, we still value strong technical knowledge. Be sure to include any relevant technical skills or projects in your application that demonstrate your ability to guide teams and ensure quality.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape our civil engineering team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ibse
✨Know Your Leadership Style
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your leadership style and how it aligns with the company's values. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, especially in civil engineering contexts.
✨Showcase Your Technical Knowledge
While the role focuses on leadership, having a solid grasp of technical aspects is crucial. Prepare to discuss your experience with civil and infrastructure design, and be ready to provide insights on best practices and standards you've implemented in previous projects.
✨Engage with Client Scenarios
Since client engagement is key, think about past experiences where you’ve built strong relationships with clients. Be prepared to discuss how you handled challenging situations and what strategies you used to maintain trust and credibility.
✨Demonstrate Your Vision for Growth
This role offers a clear pathway to board-level progression, so it's important to articulate your vision for the team's growth and the business's direction. Think about how you can contribute to strategic initiatives and be ready to share your ideas during the interview.