Account Director - Commissioning

-; Greater London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering company in Greater London is seeking an Account Director to oversee client relations and project management. The ideal candidate will have over 15 years of experience in building services engineering with proven skills in leading commissioning projects. Strong communication and leadership abilities are essential, along with a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. This role involves frequent interaction with clients and managing engineering teams to ensure quality and timely delivery of services.

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ experience with mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines.
• Ability to lead commissioning from design to completion.
• Knowledge of sustainability and building system operations.
• Strong communication, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Deliver commitments on time, meeting quality standards.
• Act as primary client contact and promote HDR services.
• Manage HDR engineers/managers, including recruitment and performance reviews.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety policy.
• Track project finances and control expenditure.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Time management

Leadership

Troubleshooting HVAC

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Job description

At HDR, employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued, respected, and empowered to bring authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. We weave diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the company and foster belonging in our communities while constantly asking: "What is our impact on the world?"

About the role

Primary Objective

The Account Director ensures commissioning of engineering services is accurately planned, managed, executed, recorded, and reported to the client. They maintain regular contact with client senior teams, providing weekly updates.

Core Duties

• Deliver commitments on time, meeting quality standards.
• Act as primary client contact and promote HDR services.
• Prepare fee proposals and use company management systems.
• Oversee project safety and team performance, reporting issues as needed.
• Review monthly job costing reports and provide data for board reports.
• Advise on commissioning strategies, quality requirements, and scopes of work.
• Manage HDR engineers/managers, including recruitment and performance reviews.
• Keep the account team informed of developments and opportunities.

Ongoing Responsibilities

• Improve systems and procedures, act as technical champion.
• Represent the company in marketing activities.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety policy.
• Maintain strong relationships with staff and professional teams.
• Ensure technical compliance and high-quality deliverables.
• Track project finances and control expenditure.
• Attend project meetings and commissioning summits.
• Prepare/sign off technical reports and commissioning documents.
• Monitor scope changes and report internally.
• Support tender submissions and assist colleagues.

Profile

Experienced Building Services Engineers with commissioning expertise—either hands‑on or via management‑plus technical competence in areas such as control engineering, fire systems, HVAC, electrical distribution, refrigeration, QA, sustainability, and standby power.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years’ experience with mechanical, electrical, and controls disciplines.
• Ability to lead commissioning from design to completion.
• Knowledge of sustainability and building system operations.
• Willingness to travel in the UK and abroad.
• Troubleshooting skills (HVAC, TAB, controls) and strong reporting abilities.
• Understanding of operations, safety, inspections, and maintenance.
• Strong communication, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• Technical MEP/HVAC knowledge and MS Office proficiency.
• Valid driver’s license.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• 10 years related experience.
• A minimum 5 years project management experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• MS Office and MS Project experience (Access experience would be plus).
• Demonstrated leadership, business development and strategic planning skills.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together we build on each other’s life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust, and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.