At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead major maritime projects and shape the future of ports and terminals.
- Company: Join WSP, a global leader in engineering and infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Work on landmark projects and contribute to a sustainable future.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of innovative maritime solutions and mentor future leaders.
- Qualifications: Significant experience in maritime programmes and chartered engineer status required.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
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.
A little more about your role… WSP is seeking an experienced Technical Director to help shape the future of ports, terminals and maritime infrastructure across the UK, Ireland, Europe and selected international markets. This is a highly visible leadership role combining technical authority, client leadership, business growth and delivery accountability across some of the industry's most complex and strategically important maritime programmes. This role offers significant autonomy and influence. You will help shape technical strategy, develop future capability, strengthen client relationships, mentor future leaders and contribute directly to the growth and direction of WSP's Maritime business.
As part of the team, you will complement the wide experience of a highly knowledgeable and dynamic group of Ports & Maritime experts based in the UK and across the globe. You will provide senior technical leadership, business direction and project director accountability for major maritime programmes, shaping technical excellence, developing capability, influencing market strategy and ensuring WSP delivers safe, robust, commercially successful and technically outstanding outcomes across the full project lifecycle.
Key responsibilities…
- Act as Project Director or senior technical sponsor for major maritime, port and terminal programmes, including large-scale container terminals, energy-transition infrastructure, offshore wind ports, port modernisation programmes and strategic Owner's Engineer assignments across multiple countries.
- Define the technical vision and delivery strategy for major infrastructure programmes, providing clients and project teams with confidence in key decisions and outcomes.
- Provide senior multidisciplinary oversight across maritime civil, geotechnical, coastal, structural, electrical, environmental, buildings, transport and cost disciplines.
- Lead technical challenge and decision-making on constructability, phasing, resilience, automation, electrification, decarbonisation and operational integration.
- Lead strategic pursuits and win strategies, developing compelling client propositions, leveraging WSP's multidisciplinary capability, shaping commercial approaches and increasing repeat business across the Maritime portfolio.
- Build trusted advisor relationships with senior client stakeholders, becoming a recognised source of strategic and technical advice.
- Mentor and develop senior engineers, project managers and future technical leaders, strengthening technical governance, professional development, succession planning and delivery excellence across the team.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of WSP Maritime's medium-term business strategy, helping define priorities for capability growth, service development, target markets and strategic client engagement.
- Lead development of project governance, technical standards, guidance notes, best-practice methodologies and lessons-learned programmes, promoting knowledge sharing and professional excellence across WSP and the wider industry.
- Drive recruitment, succession planning and capability development across the Maritime business, addressing current and future technical skills requirements and supporting sustainable growth.
- Represent WSP as an external industry leader, contributing to conferences, technical forums, industry working groups and the development of best practice across the ports and maritime sector.
- Champion WSP's health, safety and wellbeing culture through visible leadership, design safety governance, behavioural safety leadership and active engagement with project teams.
To excel in this position, you must bring recognised technical authority, pragmatic delivery judgement and the confidence to guide senior clients and multidisciplinary teams through complex project decisions. Your ability to reduce delivery risk while maintaining commercial control will be vital to WSP and our clients’ success.
What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…
- Significant experience delivering and leading major maritime, terminal or infrastructure programmes, with a record of building client trust and leading complex multidisciplinary teams.
- Chartered Engineer status with recognised technical authority and proven accountability for major engineering decisions.
- Demonstrable external profile within the ports and maritime sector, including client leadership, industry engagement, conference participation, technical publications or contribution to industry initiatives.
- Experience contributing to business growth, including strategy development, recruitment, capability building, market positioning and major opportunity conversion.
- Proven project director capability directing multidisciplinary projects from masterplanning and FEED through detailed design, procurement, construction support and completion.
- Strong understanding of delivery governance including FIDIC or equivalent contract environments, technical governance, QA/QC, risk management, programme and commercial controls.
- Ability to combine technical depth with delivery judgement and senior client credibility on complex or high-value commissions.
- Experience in emerging and specialist port requirements such as automated terminals, port electrification, climate resilience, asset management or major rehabilitation programmes would be advantageous.
- Evidence of operating across multiple countries, clients and delivery cultures with judgement, clarity and senior stakeholder confidence.
Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. 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? With us, you can. Apply today.
Technical Director - Ports and Maritime in London employer: WSP
WSP is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, providing employees with the opportunity to lead impactful projects in urban drainage and wastewater modelling. With a strong focus on professional development, our team members benefit from extensive training and growth opportunities, all while working in a hybrid environment that promotes work-life balance. Located across the UK, we offer a dynamic workplace where your contributions directly influence local and national infrastructure solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Director - Ports and Maritime in London
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Technical Director - Ports and Maritime role you’re after at WSP.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at WSP a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at WSP.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Technical Director - Ports and Maritime at WSP, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director - Ports and Maritime in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Technical Director - Ports and Maritime, it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at WSP a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to WSP specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at WSP
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with WSP, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like WSP want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
