Associate Director

Hoare Lea; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy is seeking an experienced Associate Director to join their Birmingham office. This role offers significant responsibility for technical delivery on complex projects, leadership of a dynamic team, and the opportunity to foster client relationships. The ideal candidate will have Chartered status and strong technical and leadership skills. The organization provides a supportive environment focused on individual potential and offers a comprehensive benefits package, including professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Private medical cover

Electric vehicle salary-sacrifice scheme

Stock options

Extensive annual leave

Qualifications

• Ability to deal with difficult situations in a non-adversarial manner.
• Qualified and recognised in industry with Chartered status.
• Strong technical knowledge in the primary area of expertise and a good understanding of other disciplines.
• Experience in a multi-disciplinary environment with excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with clients and foster future opportunities.
• Lead the development of the mechanical engineering team.
• Oversee project team workload and ensure quality standards.
• Support financial management and invoicing on projects.

Skills

Strong technical knowledge

Leadership skills

Excellent communication skills

Ability to manage difficult situations

Education

Chartered status

Job description

Associate Director

Birmingham

About us

Hoare Lea is a human‑centric and planet‑conscious engineering consultancy. We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the UK and further afield.

We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability to name but a few. Together, our highly skilled teams use technical expertise and problem‑solving skills to bring buildings to life. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves.

We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9‑day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, electric vehicle salary‑sacrifice scheme, stock options, and up to days of annual leave.

Whatever your ambitions or circumstances, our aim is to enable everyone to develop their knowledge, give their best, and enjoy what they do.

About the role

Hoare Lea is a market‑leading built environment consultancy; we’ve got a history as long as your arm – longer probably as we’re years old and it all started in Birmingham. Today, we’re focused on how we can help our clients by providing leading consultancy on the things that matter to them. We’re looking for people who want to help us shape the future, who love a challenge and want their work to have a real impact on real people in the city they live in.

Are you ready to get stuck in?

A fantastic career opportunity has arisen for a creative Associate Director to join our team based in Birmingham.

Guided by our vision, we are passionate in our purpose to positively influence the balance between people and planet. We deliver high performing buildings which respond to the challenges of climate change whilst creating spaces which meet the needs of modern living.

As an Associate Director, you will have a considerable level of responsibility for your area of operation, taking the technical delivery role on project and bid presentations and contributing to technical leadership on multiple, large‑scale, complex projects. On current work, you will always be looking for ways to add value beyond the project scope and help secure future work by developing relationships with clients and other design team professionals while working to understand their longer‑term technical needs.

In this key and varied role, you can expect to :

• Be responsible for dealing successfully with Clients and other professionals to foster and maintain good relationships and create future opportunities.
• Find new opportunities for business growth and negotiate scope of Hoare Lea services and fee levels.
• Promote the full range of services offered by Hoare Lea and contribute to bid preparation.
• Define and agree brief with Client, take ownership and consistently deliver profitable large and complex schemes.
• Support in developing and leading a high‑performing local team and contribute to staff development.
• Lead the development of the mechanical engineering team within the Birmingham office.
• Manage and prioritise the workload of a project team including specialist groups and effectively delegate, manage and check work undertaken by others.
• Work with the project leader to help monitor fee expenditure, resources and work delivered.
• Provide support on financial management, invoicing, debtor chasing, fee variations and final account settlement on projects.
• Ensure quality standards and technical accuracy are delivered and manage and mitigate risks to business.
• Responsible for managing a team Fee Turnover of around £1m per annum.

About you

To be successful in this role you’ll need :

• Ability to deal with difficult situations in a non‑adversarial manner.
• Qualified and recognised in industry with Chartered status.
• Strong technical knowledge in the primary area of expertise and a good understanding of other disciplines.
• Strong leadership to support and develop other engineers within the office.
• Experience working in a multi‑disciplinary environment, with excellent communication skills with both internal and external clients, and a team‑based work approach.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.
• Self‑awareness, an open mind, and a spirit of generosity.
• Conversant with relevant British Standards and previous consultancy experience.