At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and mentor a dynamic engineering team while managing projects and improving service delivery.
- Company: Join Schöck Ltd, a respected international construction products business known for innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy career progression, stability, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Office-based role with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Step into a leadership role and shape the future of engineering in a thriving company.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading engineering teams and strong people management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Wilson Brook is delighted to be supporting Schöck Ltd with the appointment of a Head of Engineering UK. Schöck is a privately owned, international construction products business with a strong reputation for technical excellence, innovation and high-quality engineered solutions. The UK business is best known for its market-leading position in specialist structural thermal break and punching shear reinforcement solutions, through its long-standing relationships with engineers, architects, contractors and developers.
This is a senior UK leadership appointment with real influence. Reporting to the Managing Director, the successful candidate will lead the UK application engineering function, bringing structure, pace, accountability and clear operational discipline to a technically capable team. The business is not looking for a purely hands‑on technical specialist. This is first and foremost a leadership and technical operations role. The priority is to appoint someone who can manage people, coordinate workload, improve project ownership, develop the team and ensure that technical service is delivered accurately, commercially and on time. The successful candidate will inherit a knowledgeable engineering team and will be supported by strong technical expertise within the business. The opportunity is to build on that platform by creating a more proactive, customer-focused and commercially aware engineering function.
Key Areas of Responsibility
- Leading, mentoring and developing the UK application engineering team
- Managing workload, priorities, lead‑times, quality, accurate and technical service levels
- Improving project ownership and communication across the team
- Supporting sales and specification colleagues with complex technical enquiries
- Ensuring compliant, efficient and commercially sensible technical solutions
- Building a more structured, accountable and proactive working culture
- Regulatory reporting on the performance of the department
- Acting as a senior manager within the UK business
Candidate Profile
We are particularly interested in candidates from construction products, structural building systems, façades, balconies, fixings, structural connections, precast, steelwork, specialist contractors, building envelope or adjacent technical construction environments. You may currently be operating as an Engineering Manager, Design Manager, Technical Manager, Applications Engineering Manager, Drawing Office Manager, Technical Operations Manager or similar.
Essential Experience and Skills
- Experience leading an engineering, design, application engineering or technical office team
- Strong people management and workload coordination capability
- Good understanding of construction, structural drawings and technical building products
- Commercial awareness and the ability to support customer‑facing technical decisions
- Gravitas, communication skills and the confidence to lead experienced people
- A practical, structured and improvement‑focused management style
Additional Requirements
This is an office‑visible leadership role. Candidates must live within a reasonable commuting distance of Bicester and be prepared to spend at least four days per week in the office, leading the team, supporting day‑to‑day communication and collaborating closely with senior colleagues. This is not a work‑from‑home role or a long‑term live‑away opportunity. We are, however, open to candidates who are genuinely willing and able to relocate at their own cost.
Why Join Schöck
This is a strong opportunity for someone who wants to move beyond technical delivery and play a broader leadership role in a respected international business. Schöck offers the stability of a well‑established group, the visibility of a focused UK business and the chance to make a meaningful impact on how the engineering function operates. There is also scope for career progression in the medium term as the group widens its commercial activities and routes to market.
Head of Engineering employer: Schöck Ltd UK
Schöck Ltd is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for the Head of Engineering to lead a talented team within a respected international construction products business. With a strong focus on technical excellence and innovation, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that prioritises professional growth and development. Located in Bicester, the role provides the chance to make a significant impact while enjoying the stability of a well-established company and the potential for career progression as the business expands its commercial activities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Engineering
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Schöck Ltd UK, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Head of Engineering at Schöck Ltd UK.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Schöck Ltd UK
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!