At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and inspire teams on exciting highways and infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join a fast-growing, innovative civil engineering firm with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy birthday leave, health insurance, paid parental leave, and a vibrant social club.
- Other info: We value inclusivity and are open to supporting diverse candidates.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in civil engineering while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Civil Engineering; experience in highways and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 € per year.
About the Role
The Associate (Civils – Highways) will provide technical, commercial and people leadership across highways and infrastructure projects. The role is responsible for delivering high‑quality engineering solutions, managing project performance, developing teams and supporting the growth of the UK highways practice through strong client relationships and work‑winning activity.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Team Development
- Motivate and lead project teams proactively and ethically to deliver outstanding outcomes.
- Provide supervision, mentoring, and career development support to staff under your direction.
- Identify training needs and ensure team members receive appropriate development opportunities.
- Contribute to technical excellence, culture, procedures, professional development, and continuous improvement across the UK practice.
- Client & Business Development
- Promote Robert Bird Group to existing and prospective clients.
- Establish new clients and strengthen relationships through excellent project delivery and repeat business.
- Lead client liaison with Project Directors, ensuring expectations are met or exceeded.
- Ensure client requirements are understood by all project personnel and manage changes as they arise.
- Prepare and negotiate fee proposals and fee variations.
- Represent the company at client, consultant, and coordination meetings.
- Technical & Project Delivery
- Lead highways, access road and temporary/enabling works design across sectors including Roads, Rail, Urban Regeneration and Aviation.
- Deliver work across feasibility, optioneering, detailed design, planning support and design & build.
- Geometric highway design including alignments, junctions and roundabouts.
- Design in accordance with DMRB, Manual for Streets, National Highways and Local Authority standards.
- Drainage design including surface water, foul water and SuDS.
- Earthworks, pavement design and road construction detailing.
- Signing, lining, vehicle restraint systems and Road Safety Audits (Stages 1–3).
- Utilities liaison, diversions and service protection in accordance with NRSWA / NJUG.
- Stakeholder engagement with Local Planning Authorities, utilities and statutory bodies to secure approvals.
- Health, Safety & Site Support
- Implement and oversee Health & Safety policies and procedures on projects.
- Participate in the Workplace Health & Safety Committee when required.
- Provide technical support and problem‑solving guidance to both site and office teams.
The Ideal Candidate Will Bring
- Degree qualified in Civil Engineering; Chartered (or working towards) ICE or equivalent.
- Strong experience in highways and civil infrastructure projects from concept to delivery.
- Proven ability to lead teams and manage projects commercially and technically.
- Solid knowledge of UK highways standards (DMRB, Manual for Streets, Local Authority / National Highways).
- Experience across highway geometry, drainage, earthworks, pavements, utilities and RSAs.
- Confidence dealing with clients, local authorities and statutory stakeholders.
- A collaborative leader with excellent communication and influencing skills.
- Commercially aware, solutions‑focused, and committed to technical excellence.
What We Offer You
RBG is a growing, fast‑paced business which offers birthday leave, corporate health insurance rates, paid parental leave, recognition awards, an active and engaging social club, along with a supportive team environment where healthy lifestyle balance is encouraged.
If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every criterion, we’d love to hear from you.
Reasonable Adjustments
We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support—such as receiving the application form in an alternative format—please don’t hesitate to contact our recruitment team.
Associate (Civils – Highways) employer: SJ Group
Robert Bird Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and supportive work culture, particularly for the Associate (Civils – Highways) role. With a strong emphasis on employee development, we offer comprehensive training opportunities, birthday leave, and corporate health insurance rates, ensuring our team members thrive both professionally and personally. Our commitment to inclusivity and a healthy work-life balance makes us an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the highways and infrastructure sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate (Civils – Highways)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the civils and highways sector. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in leading teams and managing projects. Share specific examples of how you've delivered outstanding outcomes in previous roles—this will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Robert Bird Group, and express your interest in working with them. A well-crafted email can go a long way in making a memorable impression.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications come through our platform. It shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team. Plus, it makes it easier for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate (Civils – Highways)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Associate (Civils – Highways) role. Highlight your leadership experience, technical expertise, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about highways and civil engineering. Share specific examples of how you've led teams or delivered successful projects. Let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, don't forget to mention your knowledge of UK highways standards and any relevant software tools you’re familiar with. We love candidates who can demonstrate their technical prowess and understanding of the industry.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to upload all your documents in one go. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at SJ Group
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK highways standards like DMRB and Manual for Streets. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, focusing on your role in the design and delivery process.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to lead teams and mentor others. Think about times when you motivated a team or resolved conflicts, as this will demonstrate your leadership style and effectiveness.
✨Understand Client Relationships
Be ready to talk about how you've built and maintained client relationships in the past. Discuss your approach to managing client expectations and how you handle changes during a project.
✨Emphasise Health & Safety Awareness
Familiarise yourself with health and safety policies relevant to civil engineering projects. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these practices in previous roles and how you ensure compliance on-site.
