Engineering Director in Abingdon

We are looking to appoint a Director to help lead growth for our UK Ground Engineering and Environmental Compliance team and manage well established teams in England and Wales. This role combines a mix of duties including maximising financial performance, quality assurance, client satisfaction, and team leadership for an existing team function. Importantly the postholder will play a pivotal role in business development and innovation, guiding the business unit into new markets and service offerings. This is a great opportunity to join our business with an influential role.

The Director will be expected to deliver financial performance in line with the accountability centre Annual Business Plan, achieving revenue and profit margin targets while improving other key metrics set for growth and our people strategy. Success will also be measured by the growth and retention of key client accounts, the development of new business opportunities, recruitment and the launch of innovative and profitable service offerings. Strong leadership of the 15+ person team is essential to deliver for clients and provide development opportunities for our colleagues.

The Director leads a team of 15+ people, including up to 4 direct reports comprising Associates and Principal Consultants. The role works alongside five other directors supporting functions within the team as a whole. The Team provides geoenvironmental, geotechnical, hydrogeological, environmental permitting and coordination services across the UK and beyond. The role carries responsibility for overseeing the geoenvironmental function across several locations in England and Wales. The postholder is expected to spend over 50% of their time working on projects (i.e. billable work).

CORE CAPABILITIES - Key Areas of Skill, Responsibility, & Competency

As we strive to find the best fit for this position, we are seeking individuals with a minimum level of experience, skill, and competency. But we'll let you in on a secret: there's no such thing as the 'perfect' candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.

At Tetra Tech RPS we recruit using core capabilities. Core capabilities group together the key areas of skills, responsibilities, and experience required to successfully perform a specific job role. Using core capabilities helps to define the essential attributes that the candidate needs to perform effectively in the position. The Core Capabilities are weighted to reflect the relative importance in the role.

Financial Management

Reporting to the Operational Director, the Director will hold accountability for the financial performance of their team's delivery against project revenue and profit targets. This includes close oversight of project-level financials, proactive resolution of issues, and continuous monitoring of key metrics such as profitability, cashflow and utilisation. A strong grasp of financial data and performance indicators is essential, as the postholder will play an active role in shaping and delivering on our Business Plan objectives.

Leadership & Management

Lead a 15 person geo environmental team across offices in England and Wales. This includes overseeing team structure, performance management, and professional development to ensure the team operates effectively and delivers high-quality outcomes. While technical expertise is necessary, there is an emphasis on fostering a collaborative and accountable culture that supports continuous improvement. The postholder is expected to support development of a resilient team, to actively develop talent, and develop opportunities for growth.

Client Relationship Management

Expect to be responsible for the strategic oversight of existing key client accounts and to secure new key clients, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality services across multi-disciplinary projects. This involves coordinating multi-disciplinary teams to meet complex client requirements and maintaining strong, long-term relationships built on trust and responsiveness. Acting as a senior point of contact and advisor to ensure client satisfaction and providing structured feedback to the Operational Director and Senior Business Support Director.

Maintaining Quality Assurance Standards

This includes ensuring full compliance with both internal quality assurance processes and external regulatory standards. Expected to champion a culture of quality and continuous improvement across the team. They will oversee audit readiness, oversee corrective action implementation, and ensure that quality remains a central pillar for delivery and client satisfaction.

Business Development

Play a pivotal role in driving business growth by identifying new clients and markets and developing service offerings that respond to emerging client needs. This includes leading innovation initiatives and ensuring we remain agile and responsive to industry changes. The role will include leading, supporting and establishing and building relationships with new clients. Expected to foster a culture of proactive market engagement, encouraging the team to seek out opportunities and build strategic partnerships. Collaborating with the wider company to help cross sell Tetra Tech's services will be an important part of the role. Success in this area will be measured by the ability to expand the client base, increase revenue streams, and position the team as a key service provided in the business.

BENEFICIAL Training, Qualifications, or Equivalent Work Experience

Strong geo-environmental and geotechnical engineering experience. Relevant chartership, IOSH or leadership qualifications helpful but not essential.

RPS Tetra Tech is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment across all areas of our organisation. We recognise that a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives contributes to a more dynamic, innovative, and supportive workplace where every individual is empowered to share their ideas and contribute meaningfully. We are dedicated to building a culture of respect and equity, where people are valued regardless of their ethnicity, gender identity, age, belief system, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role.

Flexible and part-time working options are available in this role, with working patterns agreed collaboratively between employees and line managers to support individual wellbeing and optimal performance.