Structural Associate Director in London

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. We foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, constantly asking ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Each role throughout our organisation makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better.

We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures; it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centres driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration.

This isn’t just a job; it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

About You

We are looking for someone who is a personable self-starter with the ability to project a positive ‘can do’ professional attitude at all times while maintaining good working relationships. Someone who enjoys working collaboratively across disciplines, establishing excellent working rapport within the team, business, and with clients, with the ability to work under pressure, handle a varied workload, and keep to tight deadlines whilst maintaining the highest level of technical excellence.

About the Role

As an Associate Director, you will provide management of the structures group, monitoring and delivering projects with effective use of resources relative to fee with maximum profitability, maintaining technical quality, professionalism, and completing all design activities to programme. You will monitor and coach all staff performance within their group and implement training, QA, Health and Safety.

Responsibilities

• Monitor resource relative to each project monthly allowable fee expenditure, defining monthly CAD requirements and two-weekly engineering workload forecasts.
• Carry out engineering concept design to detailed design, tender and contract on-site supervision, to completion, ensuring projects are undertaken in accordance with design briefs and that completion deadlines are achieved via frequent design reviews with engineers.
• Ensure all design projects and reports within the group are technically compliant, to a consistent quality and standard. Maintain regular ‘in house’ design reviews and checks.
• Monitor contract staff or third-party appointments.
• Maintain excellent client relationships and contacts to achieve high levels of satisfaction and repeat business. Manage client’s expectations and promote a team approach.
• Develop new business opportunities where appropriate and participate with company presentations.
• Motivate yourself and manage staff within the group to build coherent high-performing teams. Set objectives, monitor performance, coach and develop staff to optimise their potential.
• Monitor and control project progress, design variations, and project financial budgets.
• Implement management and administration systems (timesheets/expenses etc.), co-ordinate holiday leave within the group.
• Carry out staff Personal Development Plans in accordance with the Personal Development Plans Procedures. Report any staff performance problems to Structures Director and agree corrective action.
• Identify and implement all training/CPD requirements of staff within their group.
• Implement and manage QA systems and procedures on all projects.
• Implement Company Health and Safety. Ensure all designs respond to the CDM regulations.
• Ensure Quality Management System ISO 9001 and 14001 are adhered to.

Requirements

• BEng, MSc, or equivalent qualification in Civil, Structural Engineering or relevant subject.
• Chartered Engineer or ongoing pursuit of chartered status with ICE, IStructE or relevant association.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• 8 years minimum experience within a design consultancy, designing and managing projects.
• Experience of monitoring contract staff or third-party appointments would be desirable.
• Able to undertake computer modelling, organise and direct the production of CAD drawings and correspond effectively with opposite numbers with other consultants.
• Experience in the same or similar position is desired.
• Competency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.
• The ability to project a positive and professional attitude at all times.
• Good knowledge and use of appropriate project and design analysis software.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organisational trust, and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.