At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative building design projects from concept to completion, shaping iconic structures.
- Company: Join WSP, a global leader in engineering and design with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to work on landmark projects.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team dedicated to sustainability and innovation in engineering.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-profile projects while mentoring the next generation of engineers.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in structural engineering and project management, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.
Our portfolio of work is diverse and continues to expand. In the UK, WSP specialises in providing consulting, management and design services to a variety of public and private sector clients. The business has successfully completed numerous high-profile building projects, both new and refurbished, across a variety of sectors including civic, aviation, rail, commercial, education, health, hotel, industrial, data centres, leisure, residential, retail as well as stadia and arenas.
Our structures teams have been involved in many high-profile UK projects and complex structural engineering challenges such as Buckingham Palace, Claridge’s Hotel, London Bridge Quarter (including The Shard and the redevelopment of London Bridge Station), Crossrail Bond Street Station and oversite redevelopment, HS2 Stations in London and Birmingham and Alder Hey and Great Ormond Street Hospitals. In Scotland, we continue to deliver major healthcare, higher education and data centre projects alongside our expertise in refurbishment and heritage projects.
The truly multidisciplinary nature of the organisation means that WSP is able to offer a wealth of experience in all sectors and has cemented their reputation at the forefront of the market.
Our Structures team in Scotland works from our Glasgow and Edinburgh offices with 30+ engineers and technicians split evenly between both locations. The offices work together as one regional unit and report operationally as one unit. Around the UK, each of our structures teams is led by a discipline team leader (DTL) reporting their respective regional discipline leader. Structures Scotland is successful because we have maintained a diverse workload in key sectors underpinned by major project delivery in healthcare, higher education and data centre sectors – we are currently engaged in the design and delivery of the civil and structural engineering design for the new Monklands Replacement Project for example. We are on track to exceed our revenue budget for 2026 and have robust secured workload to support our budgeted team growth and fee income in 2027.
To align with our growth aspirations, we need to fill the role of Associate Director. All responsibilities and accountabilities listed below will be undertaken by the Associate Director.
A little more about your role… You will be joining our expanding Building Structures team, as a full-time Associate Director, with responsibility for the project management, technical leadership and delivery of schemes from inception through to handover of the completed scheme to the client.
In this role you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Develop innovative and sustainable designs from concept, for a huge range of challenging UK and international multi-disciplinary design projects, ranging from high-rise, stadia/arenas, urban regeneration, healthcare, commercial & mixed use, major refurbishment, data centres, all with international, national and local architects.
- Take a key technical leadership role on multi-disciplinary design projects from concept stage through to detailed design, in coordination with Architects, Engineers, and specialist consultants.
- Participate/lead in tender bids and business development opportunities as they arise.
- Agree fees and manage the commercial position on projects.
- Exercise independent judgement and resolve technical issues.
- Have access to a world leading network of industry experts.
- Mentor and develop junior members of the team working towards their Chartership.
You’ll be joining a team of diverse and talented individuals that work together to:
- Own and lead the design process, encouraging yours and wider teams to deliver the right solutions to the agreed programme, and support those less experienced by technical review, mentoring and advice.
- Take a strategic lead role on large multi-disciplinary projects as well as providing bespoke structural solutions to niche and architectural led concept designs.
- Form strong working relationships with other WSP disciplines, external design consultants, stakeholders and clients.
- Manage processes to ensure technical issues and risks are resolved in a timely and cost-effective manner.
- Provide sustainable structural solutions from concept through to detailed design and construction.
- Provide specialist advice and design solutions to our clients on sustainable design, net zero carbon, MC & DfMA.
Reporting to a senior member of our team, you will have the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting and high profile major multi-disciplinary development projects across the UK and internationally. We have a broad and well-developed client base spanning across Private and Public sectors and encompassing regional and national clientele.
What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…
- A proven track record of successful design delivery, ideally in major projects and other challenging multi-discipline building projects, in particular concept design and the project inception stages.
- Project management and technical delivery leadership experience of medium to large schemes.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with good leadership potential capable of communicating effectively with other members of the project team, stakeholders & clients.
- Significant experience and capability in the commercial and technical management of projects using appropriate business tools.
- Significant experience of team management responsibilities including line management and day-to-day operations.
- Significant experience of operating as a lead Client contact for consultancy services and the fostering of excellent relationships with Clients and co-professionals.
- Degree or HNC/HND qualification in a relevant discipline.
- Chartered (MIStructE / MICE).
- Solid experience in structural engineering design in all materials.
- Detailed working knowledge of national codes and standards.
- Proven understanding of the design process and ability to demonstrate working knowledge of brief/scope documents, design concepts as well as experienced in producing calculations.
- Experience of working with structural design software packages such as ETABS, RAM Structural System, Tekla Structural Designer & Tedds.
- Experience in the use of Revit, Rhino and Grasshopper beneficial.
- Hold Approved Certifier of Design (SER) status in Scotland and act as Certifier of Design when appropriate or showing commitment to working towards this.
Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world. With us, you can. Apply today.
Associate Director - Building Structures in Glasgow employer: WSP
WSP is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Leeds that fosters professional growth and development through initiatives like the Land Academy. With a strong emphasis on hybrid working arrangements, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance while engaging in meaningful projects that shape urban and rural landscapes across the UK and Ireland.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director - Building Structures in Glasgow
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like WSP, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Associate Director - Building Structures at WSP.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director - Building Structures in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at WSP
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
