Head of Discipline Structures

COWI; Vejle; On-site; DKK 1,100,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

COWI in Denmark is seeking a Head of Discipline, Structural Engineering to lead an international team of around 60 engineers and specialists across Odense, Esbjerg and Vejle. You will report to the VP of Engineering Design and drive technical excellence, people development and cross‑discipline collaboration.

You will translate strategy into clear priorities, nurture client relationships and share knowledge across borders to deliver high‑quality buildings and infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• Degree in Structural Engineering with solid experience in structural engineering, consultancy and project-based environments.
• Experience designing structures and preparing structural documentation per SBi-anvisning 271 and BR18, with understanding of quality, standards and delivery.
• Extensive leadership experience guiding larger or multidisciplinary teams, inspiring and developing employees.
• Collaborative mindset and communication skills across disciplines, teams and boundaries.
• Experience with clients and business development, including winning and delivering projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage, motivate and develop approx. 20 structural engineers across three offices, fostering development and knowledge sharing.
• Ensure high technical quality and consistency across projects, providing sparring and input to project execution.
• Support resource planning and cross-disciplinary collaboration across regions.
• Drive business growth and client discussions with project managers and market leads, collaborating with colleagues in other regions.
• Collaborate with Danish peers to translate strategy into clear priorities for the structure discipline.

Skills

Leadership

Structural Engineering

Client engagement

Team development

Communication (DK & EN)

Education

Degree in Structural Engineering

Job description

Head of Discipline Structural Engineering

Place of Employment: Odense, Esbjerg or Vejle

Do you have the motivation to lead people, develop structural engineering, and deliver results through your expertise? Then join COWI as Head of Discipline, Structural Engineering and help build a sustainable and liveable world.

To enhance our structural discipline, we are seeking an experienced and motivating Head of Discipline to guide an international team of 20 highly skilled structural engineers and specialists across projects and markets. You will be part of the leadership team in COWIs Design department in the business unit Buildings & Industry West in Denmark and together with two colleagues you will lead a team of approx. 60 employees within Structural Engineering. Furthermore, you will be part of a community with other leaders with responsibility for Structural Engineering in Denmark and across borders. Your work base will be in one of COWI's office locations in the Region of Southern Denmark, with reporting line to Kasper Kammersgaard, Vice President / Head of Engineering Design.

Your key responsibilities

• Manage, motivate and develop approximately 20 structural engineers across three office locations, while supporting competence development, knowledge sharing and innovation within the discipline.
• Ensure high technical quality and consistency across projects and deliveries, providing technical sparring and specialist input to support project execution.
• Support effective resource planning and improve collaboration across disciplines, business units and regions.
• Help advance business growth and client discussions with project managers and market leads, while encouraging close cooperation with colleagues in India and Lithuania and developing their involvement in projects.
• Work closely with your Structural Head of Discipline peers in Denmark to translate COWI’s strategy into clear priorities and actions for the structural discipline.

Your key qualifications

We are looking for a leader who combines deep technical insight with people-oriented leadership. You bring the professional credibility to provide direction and challenge when needed, while creating an engaging and collaborative environment where people can perform and grow.

Furthermore, you have:

• A degree in Structural Engineering combined with solid experience within structural engineering, consultancy and project-based environments.
• Experience in designing structures and preparing structural documentation according to SBi-anvisning 271 and BR18 (the Danish Building Regulations), together with a comprehensive understanding of engineering quality, standards and project delivery.
• Extensive leadership experience from leading larger or multidisciplinary teams, with the ability to inspire, engage and develop employees at different career stages.
• A collaborative mindset and communication skills, enabling you to build relationships and work effectively across disciplines, teams and organisational boundaries.
• Experience working with clients and supporting business development, including success in winning and delivering projects.

Your skills. Our team. Together we design the future.

The first step to growth in this role is that you are eager to collaborate with the people around you, understanding what it takes to engage at senior leadership level. Developing ties with others is something you do by acting respectfully and delivering on your promises. And you never get set in your way but keep exploring new insights and ways to improve.

On top of that you have:

• Solid business and commercial understanding combined with line and/or project management experience within the buildings and industry sector
• Minimum 8 years of experience in the design and construction of buildings, with solid knowledge of various type of buildings spanning from office buildings to hospitals to industrial or pharmaceutical buildings.
• Proficient communication skills in both Danish and English, written and spoken
• Proficient in the use of digital tools and quick to adopt new methods and ways of working.

A place to work and so much more.

At COWI, we work with our customers to shape a sustainable and liveable world by applying our knowledge, curiosity and courage. We support our customers’ transition towards increased sustainability while creating an inclusive workplace where people can develop, collaborate and thrive.

With more than 7,500 employees, we bring together expertise in engineering, architecture, energy and environment across our international organisation.

Do you have any questions?

If you have questions about the position, please reach out to Kasper Kammersgaard, Vice President / Head of Engineering Design, at [e-mail].

Learn more about our projects, strategy and life at COWI at www.cowi.com. Interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis.

Diversity is fundamental to COWI, inclusion is key.

We are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive workplace where everyone has a sense of belonging and equitable opportunities to thrive and grow. We value diverse perspectives and expect our leaders to promote an inclusive culture where differences are seen as something valuable.