Senior Director - Structural Engineering in London

Lead. Transform. Shape the Future of Structural Engineering.

This role provides strategic, technical and commercial leadership across three structural engineering delivery teams, with a particular focus on complex substructure and foundation design. The Senior Director ensures high‑quality project delivery, effective team management and consistent commercial oversight, while driving growth across key markets including data centres, industrial developments and residential projects. The position involves regular interaction with clients, internal leaders and multidisciplinary teams, and shaping a clear business development approach for London and the South East. The role will also include acting as the primary technical point of reference for heavy substructure design challenges on complex brownfield sites.

The Senior Director will oversee delivery teams with a combined headcount of approximately twenty‑five, with an ambition to grow to forty‑five or more. A London team of six focuses on commercial, industrial and data centre projects and is targeted to double in size within two years. A similar sized team in Milton Keynes delivers structural work for housebuilders, housing associations and local authorities, with a strategic aim to grow and expand into medium‑rise residential. A further multidisciplinary team delivers large and complex industrial and energy schemes. Project fees typically range from small feasibility studies to multi‑million‑pound programmes, requiring governance and oversight proportionate to project scale and complexity.

In the short term, the successful candidate will establish a clear growth plan for London and strengthen the technical expertise and experience in solving complex substructure problems on difficult sites. Within one to two years, they will help secure a more diverse project pipeline across all teams, improve business development discipline and support targeted expansion, particularly in London and the South East. Longer‑term success includes developing a larger, high‑performing function, securing significant flagship projects and enabling clear career pathways for engineers, contributing to succession planning and broader organisational leadership.

Core Capabilities

• Technical Expertise: A strong background in complex heavy substructure and foundation design is essential, including experience with brownfield redevelopment, heavily loaded foundations and challenging ground conditions. The role requires confidence in acting as the technical authority for major projects. Experience in building safety case and remedial work associated with Class 3 residential buildings would also be an advantage.
• Leadership of Multi‑Team Delivery: The position demands effective leadership across three delivery teams, ensuring consistent standards, resource planning and performance management. This includes promoting coordination between offices and enabling team leads to deliver high‑quality, efficient engineering outcomes.
• Strategic Market and Business Development: The Senior Director will shape and implement a focused business development strategy, particularly for London and the South East. They will strengthen client relationships, identify suitable opportunities and support team leads in developing a more proactive approach to work winning.
• Commercial Acumen and Oversight: Strong commercial awareness is required, including contract review, risk identification and ensuring projects are delivered profitably. The role supports team leads on commercial matters and helps establish appropriate governance across both large and smaller‑scale work.
• Team Growth and Functional Development: The role includes growing the teams in line with business needs, partnering with Talent Acquisition and supporting the professional development of engineers. This involves mentoring, building leadership capability and fostering a collaborative, high‑performing culture.

Qualifications

Required qualifications include chartered status with the Institution of Structural Engineers, or the Institution of Civil Engineers with substantial experience in building projects rather than highways or drainage. Experience of both new build and refurbishment projects is expected, ideally including high‑rise residential and familiarity with the Building Safety Act.

Desirable qualifications and training include further technical specialisation, commercial or contract‑related training and exposure to data centre or large industrial projects.

Work Patterns and Locations

The role is based in London, working primarily from the Farringdon Street office, with an expectation of at least two days per week on site for leadership, collaboration and client engagement. Regular travel to Newark and other offices is anticipated, generally monthly or fortnightly. Hybrid working is available, with flexibility provided in line with project, leadership and client requirements.

About Tetra Tech RPS

Tetra Tech RPS 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 our 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.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.