Director of Maritime Engineering in Newcastle upon Tyne

Job Description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

About the Role

WSP is seeking a Director of Maritime Engineering to lead the organisational performance, technical direction and sustainable growth of the Maritime Engineering team, while shaping the future of ports, terminals and maritime infrastructure across the UK, Ireland, Europe and selected international markets.

You will work alongside some of the industry's most experienced maritime professionals and have access to WSP's global network of engineers, planners, environmental specialists, advisors and project delivery experts. You will be accountable for the performance of WSP's Maritime Engineering team and portfolio, combining people leadership, project and technical governance, commercial and cost-centre management, client engagement, business growth and market development across significant maritime programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Organisational performance and accountability: Own the overall performance of the Maritime Engineering team, setting clear priorities, accountabilities and performance expectations aligned with the wider Ports & Maritime strategy.
• Team leadership and development: Lead, mentor and support a high-performing, inclusive team; foster collaboration and innovation; maintain succession plans; and develop future technical, project and people leaders.
• Portfolio and project delivery: Provide oversight and, where appropriate, Project Director leadership for major commissions, ensuring agreed scope, programme, budget, quality, client outcomes and contractual obligations are achieved.
• Cost-centre and budget management: Own cost-centre performance, departmental budgets, forecasting and efficient resource allocation, balancing utilisation, capability development, recruitment and investment priorities.
• Commercial performance: Maintain oversight of portfolio profitability, work in progress, debt, variation and change control, commercial risk and recovery actions, working closely with finance and commercial leads.
• Technical leadership and governance: Set and uphold technical standards, design governance, independent review and approval pathways; provide senior technical guidance and ensure appropriate technical authority is assigned to commissions.
• Quality, safety and regulatory compliance: Ensure delivery complies with WSP management systems, relevant legislation, industry standards, professional obligations, health and safety requirements and client-specific quality expectations.
• Risk and opportunity management: Identify, own and mitigate strategic, operational, technical, commercial and project delivery risks, while actively managing opportunities and lessons learned across the portfolio.
• Innovation, expert matters and improvement: Promote emerging technology, digital delivery, automation, resilience, decarbonisation and modern methods of design and delivery; sponsor continuous improvement and knowledge sharing.
• Resource, recruitment and capability planning: Maintain a forward-looking resource and skills plan; recruit and onboard engineers; address capability gaps; and coordinate workload across UK, Ireland, European and global teams.
• Performance management: Set objectives, evaluate individual and team performance, provide timely feedback and support, recognise strong contribution and address underperformance through fair and consistent management.
• Strategic client and stakeholder management: Build trusted relationships with clients and maintain effective interfaces with sector leads, account managers, operational leaders, HR, finance, commercial and technical functions.
• Business development and major pursuits: Develop client and subsector plans, originate and shape qualified opportunities, lead strategic pursuits and convert market relationships into profitable, deliverable commissions.
• External representation and market profile: Represent WSP as a senior maritime engineering leader in client meetings, bid interviews, account planning, industry forums and professional networks.
• International collaboration: Connect UK and Ireland capability with WSP's European and global maritime network to form coherent, locally credible and internationally experienced teams.

What Success Looks Like

• A safe, inclusive, engaged and high-performing Maritime Engineering team with clear objectives, accountabilities, succession plans and sustainable capability.
• Cost-centre and portfolio performance delivered in line with agreed budget, forecast, utilisation, profitability, cash and resource objectives.
• Major commissions consistently delivered to agreed scope, programme, budget, quality and client expectations, with risks, changes and commercial issues actively managed.
• Robust technical governance, quality assurance, regulatory compliance and design accountability embedded across the portfolio.
• Recognised by major clients and internal stakeholders as a trusted senior advisor and effective leader of complex maritime programmes.
• Growth in strategic accounts, target subsectors, qualified pipeline and profitable framework or commission appointments.
• Visible adoption of innovation, digital methods, lessons learned and continuous improvement across engineering and project delivery.
• Stronger integration of UK and Ireland capability with WSP's European and global maritime network.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• Significant senior leadership experience in maritime, ports or terminal engineering, including responsibility for multidisciplinary teams and complex project portfolios.
• Demonstrable people-management experience covering recruitment, objective setting, performance management, mentoring, succession and capability development.
• Proven accountability for cost-centre, budget or business-unit performance, including forecasting, resource planning, utilisation and commercial recovery.
• Track record as Project Director, technical director or equivalent on major commissions, with clear accountability for programme, cost, quality, risk, client satisfaction and contractual delivery.
• Strong port and marine infrastructure credentials across areas such as marine structures, terminal planning, civil infrastructure and complex brownfield or multidisciplinary delivery environments.
• Sound knowledge of technical governance, design assurance, quality management, health and safety, regulatory compliance and relevant maritime engineering standards.
• Evidence of leading innovation, expert technical matters, new technology adoption and continuous improvement in engineering delivery.
• Established senior client network and credibility across terminal operators, port authorities, contractors, developers, investors, industrial port users or public-sector clients.
• Track record of winning and leading profitable maritime commissions, ideally across the UK, Ireland, continental Europe and selected international markets.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to make timely, evidence-based decisions, communicate accountabilities clearly and lead effectively across formal and matrix structures.

With us, you can

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

About Us

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

What's In It For You?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the WSP My Hour, allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

Equality and Inclusion

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.