Associate / Associate Director (S278 Highways and Drainage) in London

About Velocity

Velocity is an independent transport planning and infrastructure consultancy working with clients across the UK and internationally.

We provide advice and design services across transport planning, highways, drainage and infrastructure, supporting projects from early feasibility and planning through to detailed design and delivery.

We are a growing consultancy with a collaborative working environment and a strong focus on high-quality technical work, professional development and providing an excellent service to our clients.

Our people work closely across disciplines and levels of experience, giving employees the opportunity to take responsibility, develop their skills and make a meaningful contribution to both projects and the wider business.

The role

Velocity is looking for an experienced highways and drainage professional to join our growing Infrastructure team in London at Associate or Associate Director level.

This is a senior role for someone who combines strong technical expertise in highways and drainage design with excellent project management, commercial awareness and client-facing skills.

You will take responsibility for the successful delivery of a varied portfolio of development infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on Section 278 highway works, adoptable highway design and drainage infrastructure. Depending on experience, you will act as Project Manager across projects of varying scale and, at Associate Director level, take Project Director responsibility for appropriate commissions.

This role offers the opportunity to join a growing team where you can have a genuine influence over projects, clients and the future development of the business.

We offer hybrid working, with an expectation that employees are based in our London office for at least three days each week, providing a balance between flexibility and the collaboration, mentoring and knowledge-sharing that comes from working together.

The position can be appointed at either Associate or Associate Director level, depending on your experience, existing responsibilities and ability to contribute to the continued growth of the team.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for leading projects from initial concept and planning through detailed design, technical approval and delivery.

· Leading the design and delivery of Section 278 highway schemes, junction improvements, access works and associated development infrastructure.

· Leading or overseeing drainage design, including surface water and foul drainage strategies and detailed design.

· Managing technical approvals and liaising with highway authorities, drainage authorities, clients and other members of multidisciplinary design teams.

· Acting as Project Manager, taking responsibility for programme, quality, resources, fees and project profitability.

· Taking responsibility for projects throughout their lifecycle and ensuring work complies with Velocity procedures and relevant technical standards and guidance.

· Coordinating and delegating work effectively across project teams.

· Preparing and reviewing technical submissions, reports, drawings, specifications and proposals.

· Providing technical guidance and mentoring to engineers and other members of the team.

· Developing strong relationships with clients, co-professionals and approving authorities.

· Identifying project extensions and new opportunities and helping secure new work through existing and new client relationships.

· Supporting the continued development and growth of Velocity's Infrastructure team.

At Associate Director level, the role will also involve greater responsibility for team leadership, strategic business development, resource planning and Project Director duties.

About you

We are looking for someone with substantial experience in development infrastructure, ideally gained within a consultancy environment.

You are likely to have:

· A degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.

· Strong technical experience in highways and drainage design, particularly development-related infrastructure.

· Significant experience of Section 278 design and technical approval processes.

· Experience managing projects, budgets, programmes and multidisciplinary teams.

· A good understanding of the commercial aspects of consultancy work.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills and the confidence to deal directly with clients and approving authorities.

· The ability to lead, support and develop more junior members of the team.

· A proactive approach to identifying opportunities and developing client relationships.

· Chartered or Incorporated professional status, or be working towards it.

For an Associate Director appointment, we would expect demonstrated experience of leading others, developing team members, managing a portfolio of work and generating repeat business through an established client and co-professional network.

For an Associate appointment, we would expect someone already operating at Principal Engineer or Associate level who is capable of independently managing significant projects and developing their own workload and client relationships.

Why join Velocity?

At Velocity, we want people to develop their careers while doing interesting and rewarding work.

Depending on the role, our benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• Company pension
• Annual leave entitlement plus bank holidays, and opportunity to buy and sell leave
• Long service leave
• Healthcare, insurance and lifestyle benefits
• Professional development and support towards relevant professional qualifications
• Training and career development opportunities
• Regular company and team events
• A supportive and collaborative working environment

Equal opportunities

Velocity is committed to providing equality of opportunity and creating an inclusive working environment.

We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Applying

Please submit your CV together with any information requested in the vacancy.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be able to demonstrate that they meet the requirements applicable to the role.

We may close vacancies before the advertised closing date where we receive sufficient suitable applications, so early applications are encouraged.