Associate/Associate Director (Infrastructure Performance Consultancy)

ICE Recruit; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy firm in London is seeking an experienced engineer at Associate or Associate Director level in the construction or infrastructure sector. The role involves planning and delivering consultancy services, driving commercial performance, and fostering innovation. Candidates should have chartered membership with a relevant professional body and demonstrate strong analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, emphasizing personal development and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Flexible and hybrid working

Private medical insurance

Annual leave + bank holidays

Company pension scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Qualifications

• Chartered membership with a relevant professional body required.
• Experience in commercial and technical management of projects.
• Understanding of productivity challenges in the infrastructure sector.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for planning and delivering consultancy and engineering projects.
• Drive commercial performance and manage client relationships.
• Deliver technical advice and create innovative solutions in projects.

Skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Presentation skills

Communication skills

Collaboration

Education

Membership with a professional body (e.g., ICE, CIBSE)

Tools

Technical analysis techniques

Job description

What we are looking for

We are looking for an experienced engineer at an Associate or Associate director level with a design, contracting, consulting or startup background to join our growing team.

You will have built up a portfolio of experience in the construction or infrastructure sector and be ready to use your expertise in new ways.

With Expedition you will be playing an important role in delivering engineering‑led consultancy services. You will work within our teams to help drive innovation, productivity and efficiency improvements across the industry; provide advice and insight; support major infrastructure/construction clients, and transform major programmes. Through these projects you will deliver practical change in line with the Construction Playbook, Project 13, NIC guidance and other leading thinking.

As an Associate/Associate Director, you will be responsible for both the planning and delivery of consultancy and engineering focused projects. You will be expected to represent Expedition externally, drive the commercial performance of the projects, adapt rapidly to developing briefs, analyze a complex technical landscape, synthesize key insights, and communicate these effectively to our clients. You will apply your relevant technical knowledge and experience to identify and develop opportunities for innovation and productivity improvement and help to deliver those opportunities through pilots or other means.

Essential Requirements

• Membership and Chartered with an appropriate professional body such as ICE, CIBSE, IMechE, IStructE, CIWEM or similar.
• Experience of commercial and technical management of consultancy projects and teams. Analytical skills and the ability to synthesize and deliver high‑quality technical advice, strong written English and a track record delivering client reports and/or technical publications. Strong inter‑personal and presentational skills.
• Understand the innovation and productivity challenges in the infrastructure sector. Passion for creating a better built environment in line with the Trust’s values and ethos.
• Collaborative, flexible, and adaptable; comfortable working in a small, fast‑paced organisation. Ability to effectively communicate with clients, stakeholders (technical and non‑technical) and collaborators from our expert network.
• Excellent communication skills with clients, helping to maintain and develop productive client relationships.

Additional Skills and Experience (a selection of these)

• Professional knowledge in one or more areas: construction, civil engineering, structures, water, rail, highways, energy infrastructure, low‑carbon materials, or the built environment.
• Technical analysis of project‑based engineering challenges and opportunities. Research into industry‑wide challenges within the construction and infrastructure sectors.
• Collaborating with clients, contractors and supply chains to deliver practical innovations and improvements in efficiency and productivity.
• Proven experience in the delivery of projects with innovative components or methods. Supporting business development activities, for example, building trusted relationships with clients and collaborators on existing projects, participating in technical panels and committees.
• Supporting marketing and social media activities.

Who We Are

The Useful Simple Trust (UST) is an award‑winning group of professional design and consultancy practices driving change in the built environment through our three brands: Expedition Engineering, Useful Projects and Useful Studio.

Certified as a B Corp, Social Enterprise, and Employee Benefit Organisation, we are addressing the significant issues of our time, including Net Zero carbon, circular economy, biodiversity gain, and social impact. Further to investing and growing our people as much as we do our business, we are a certified Carbon Literate Organisation, and are committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

Diversity Statement

UST strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can all be ourselves. We are working to change the lack of representation of minority groups and are particularly keen to hear from anyone with relevant skills and experience who feels they are underrepresented in the industry.

We encourage people from culturally diverse backgrounds, women, people with different abilities, LGBTIQ+ community, gender, all age groups, and those with intersectional or multiple diverse characteristics to apply. We know that diversity makes us stronger, and we are committed to creating a working environment that is inclusive and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions.

What We Offer

As an employee benefit trust, we offer a comprehensive benefits package, mentoring support to accelerate learning and plenty of opportunities for advancement. We believe in investing and growing our people as much as our business. The package comprises:

• An entrepreneurial environment; we're open to new ideas
• Personal development programme including enhanced learning and mentoring, as part of a coaching culture
• Flexible and hybrid working, including the possibility to work a compressed nine‑day fortnight
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Service Recognition Awards
• Working Nursery Scheme
• Private medical insurance for you and your family
• Annual Eyecare Plan
• Life Assurance
• Company Pension Scheme (grade dependent, minimum of 6%)
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
• Thriving Trust‑wide social scene, including charitable activities.

Applying for this vacancy

This vacancy will close once we have found the successful candidate, and we will be interviewing on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged. Please note that if your application has not been successful, you may not be contacted.

Please provide your CV and covering letter to tell us why you want to work at Expedition and the Useful Simple Trust, why you are suitable for the role, and what you could bring to the Trust. In addition, a form of assessment or presentation following the first interview may be requested. Any reasonable adjustments required will be met.

Useful Simple Trust is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

If you have any queries regarding the vacancy or the application process, please contact [e-mail].