Vice President of Engineering

Position: VP of Engineering

Location: London, UK

Simpson Booth Ltd is delighted to have been retained on an exclusive basis to conduct an executive search for a Vice President (VP) of Engineering.

The Client:

Our Client is a fast-growing clean-tech company at the forefront of developing advanced energy solutions. Backed by global partners and significant investment, our Client is developing pioneering power systems for industrial and maritime sectors worldwide.

The Role:

The Vice President of Engineering is responsible for overseeing and managing technical and engineering projects for the organisation. This position plays a crucial role in driving innovation, ensuring efficient operations and driving technical engineering to achieve the company’s strategic goals. The position requires a strategic thinker with excellent leadership and communication skills, capable of tracking multiple projects and ensuring technical knowledge is captured and accessible for senior management stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership to the UK based engineering team, setting clear objectives and strategies
• Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement within the department
• Develop long-term plans aligned with the company’s overall vision and objectives in energy and power industries and within the OECD
• Identify emerging technologies and industry trends to capitalise on new opportunities
• Recruit top talent, build diverse teams, and foster professional growth among engineers
• Delegate tasks effectively while maintaining accountability for project deliverables
• Oversee project management activities including planning, resource allocation, timelines, and budgets
• Ensure timely delivery of high-quality products or services through effective coordination with cross-functional teams
• Stay updated on advancements in technology relevant to energy and power industries within the OECD
• Drive research initiatives to explore innovative solutions that enhance product performance or operational efficiency
• Implement best practices for software development methodologies like Agile or DevOps
• Continuously optimise processes to streamline workflows and increase productivity
• Identify potential risks related to projects or technology infrastructure; develop contingency plans accordingly
• Monitor compliance with security standards and regulations relevant to engineering operations in power and energy industries within the OECD
• Foster effective communication channels between internal and external engineering teams as well as cross functional teams
• Collaborate with stakeholders across different levels within the organisation and external stakeholders to align priorities

Further responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to the following:

• Working closely with the CEO, SVP Product and senior management to align engineering project goals with the organisation\’s strategic objectives.
• Set and align department project goals to deliver the business strategy.
• Manage resource allocation and capacity planning.
• Providing guidance and support to project managers.
• Ensuring the successful delivery of projects.
• Fostering a collaborative and productive work environment.
• Capturing, building and sharing knowledge capability.
• Establishing and maintaining project management standards and best practices.
• Oversee the planning, execution, and completion of projects.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Develop and implement Project policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance and support to project managers and teams.
• Monitor project performance and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among project stakeholders.
• Conduct regular project reviews and status meetings.
• Manage project risks and issues and develop mitigation plans.
• Ensure compliance with organisational and regulatory requirements.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance project delivery.
• Provide training and development opportunities for project managers.
• Prepare and present project reports to senior leadership.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement within Engineering Project teams.
• Ensure alignment of project goals with organisational objectives.
• Support the adoption of project management tools and technologies.
• Lead change management initiatives related to engineering project management.
• Ensure the team maintains a repository of project documentation and lessons learned.

Knowledge and Experience required:

• Educational requirement: Master’s Degree in a related Engineering field (maritime, marine engineering, energy systems etc preferred)
• Extensive technical background: A strong foundation in engineering is essential. Candidates should have a deep understanding of engineering principles and be well-versed in various technologies and methodologies relevant to their industry
• Leadership Experience: The ability to lead and inspire teams is crucial for success. Candidates should demonstrate past experience managing teams of engineers effectively, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation.
• Strategic Vision: As a senior executive, the Vice President of Engineering must have the ability to formulate long-term strategies aligned with business goals. This includes identifying areas for improvement within existing systems or processes and envisioning new solutions that drive growth
• Business Acumen: A comprehensive understanding of business operations is necessary to align technical decisions with broader organisational objectives. Ability to balance technological advancements with financial considerations while making informed decisions on resource allocation.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication is vital both internally (with team members) and externally (with stakeholders). Ability to articulate complex technical concepts in clear language, facilitate cross-functional collaboration, present ideas persuasively, and build rapport at all levels.
• Problem-Solving Abilities: The role often involves addressing complex challenges related to product development or operational efficiency. Strong problem-solving skills and ability to analyse situations critically, identify root causes effectively, and devise practical solutions efficiently are essential
• Innovation Mindset: Staying ahead requires embracing innovation relentlessly. Ability and mindset to foster an environment that encourages experimentation, discards outdated practices, and promotes continuous learning among their teams

Behaviours and Person Specification:

• Displays strong leadership skills
• Thrives in a creative environment but possesses the pragmatism and awareness to maintain progress.
• Proactive and results-oriented mindset
• Positive ‘can do’ attitude.
• Adaptable, motivated, and well organised
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work under pressure.

Given current workloads, only those that meet the requirements and detailed Job Brief will be engaged with.