At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and innovate in tunnelling and underground infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join a world-class engineering firm shaping the future of infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, flexible working, and tailored benefits for your lifestyle.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on major infrastructure while developing future leaders.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant engineering field and experience in tunnelling or infrastructure delivery.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
Shape the Future Below Ground. We are seeking an exceptional Head of Tunnelling & Underground Space to lead, grow, and shape one of the industry’s most respected tunnelling and underground infrastructure practices. This is a senior leadership role within an industry-leading design and engineering company, responsible for setting strategic direction, strengthening technical excellence, developing high-performing teams, and driving sustainable business growth across major infrastructure markets. You will lead the growth of world‑class tunnelling and underground space solutions across sectors including transportation, water, energy, defence, urban infrastructure, and major programme delivery.
Your role:
- Provide strategic leadership for the tunnelling and underground space practice.
- Drive technical excellence, innovation, quality, safety, and design assurance across major projects.
- Lead, inspire, and develop multidisciplinary teams across multiple locations.
- Build strong client relationships and secure major commissions in target markets.
- Support business planning, revenue growth, profitability, and resource development.
- Represent the business externally at senior client meetings, industry forums, conferences, and professional networks.
- Champion digital engineering, sustainability, carbon reduction, and emerging tunnelling technologies.
- Develop future leaders and maintain a strong culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
About you:
- Degree qualified in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Engineering Geology, or a related discipline.
- Chartered Engineer status with a recognised professional institution, such as ICE, IStructE, or equivalent.
- Experience in tunnelling, underground structures, geotechnical engineering, or major infrastructure delivery.
- Proven experience leading the design and delivery of major tunnelling and underground projects, including TBM, Sprayed Concrete Lining, cut-and-cover, shafts, caverns, or trenchless technologies.
- Strong technical credibility and recognised standing within the tunnelling and underground infrastructure sector.
- Demonstrable experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing technical talent.
- Strong commercial acumen, with experience in business development, bidding, client engagement, and profitable project delivery.
- Excellent understanding of relevant UK and/or international standards, safety requirements, risk management, and design governance.
Leadership and Management Skills:
- Inspirational leader with the ability to define and deliver a clear strategic vision.
- Proven ability to lead large, geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with clients, contractors, regulators, partners, and senior executives.
- Excellent communication, influencing, negotiation, and presentation skills.
- Ability to make sound strategic decisions in complex, high-profile project environments.
- Experience driving organisational change, service transformation, and practice growth.
- Strong commitment to technical excellence, health and safety, quality assurance, innovation, and sustainable outcomes.
- Passion for mentoring, coaching, and developing the next generation of tunnelling and underground space leaders.
Desirable Attributes:
- Active involvement in industry bodies such as BTS, ITA, CIRIA, or equivalent.
- Published papers, conference presentations, or recognised thought leadership in tunnelling or underground space.
- Experience leading international project teams or major framework commissions.
- Strong understanding of digital delivery, BIM, automation, low‑carbon design, and future infrastructure trends.
Rewards & benefits:
Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.
Security clearance:
This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview.
Equal opportunities and diversity statement:
We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong – a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees.
Head of Tunnelling & Underground Space in Birmingham employer: SNC-Lavalin
Snc-Lavalin is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering extensive training opportunities and a competitive salary. With a dynamic work culture in Birmingham, you will be part of a collaborative team that drives transformational change across major UK infrastructure programmes, ensuring your contributions are both meaningful and impactful.
