Associate Director - Electrical (Data Centres)

HDR; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR Building Engineering Services Group seeks an Associate Director – Electrical to lead design delivery for mission critical data centre projects and large‑scale commercial environments. You will mentor junior engineers, manage client relationships, and drive quality, schedule, and budget performance across multidisciplinary teams on site.

Role requires senior leadership and a track record in electrical design, CAD coordination and project management, with focus on safety, QA and compliant

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience in designing and managing mission critical, datacentre projects.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Experience of monitoring contract staff or third‑party appointments would be desirable.
• Able to undertake computer modelling, organise and direct the production of CAD drawings and correspond effectively with opposite numbers with other consultants.
• Skills in project managing on‑going jobs with limited supervision are desirable.
• Competency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.
• The ability to project a positive and professional attitude and motivate a team.
• Educational qualifications to a degree level or equivalent are desired.
• Ideally Chartered Engineer.
• Able to establish rapport and good working relationships within the project team and with clients.
• Experienced user of industry standard design software (e.g. Amtech, Dialux, Revit, Bluebeam etc) and be able to help develop the skills of junior design team members in this area.
• Experience in internally managing on‑going projects with limited supervision.
• Experience on site monitoring projects, working with contractors, and witnessing testing and commissioning activities.
• Able to encourage and support junior engineers to help them get to the next level.
• Leadership and people management skills and experience.
• Able to work as part of a team and collaboratively and co‑operatively.

Responsibilities

• Monitor resources and monthly CAD requirements, manage workload forecasts and ensure deadlines.
• Ensure all design projects and reports meet quality standards with in‑house reviews.
• Monitor contract staff or third‑party appointments.
• Maintain excellent client relationships and promote a team approach.
• Develop new business opportunities and participate in company presentations.
• Motivate staff, set objectives and coach to optimise potential.
• Monitor progress, variations and project budgets.
• Implement QA systems and ensure compliance with CDM regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Presentation skills

Communication

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Chartered Engineer (ideally)

Tools

Amtech

Dialux

Revit

Bluebeam

Job description

Associate Director – Electrical – HDR Building Engineering Services Group

We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it's about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR's Building Engineering Services Group, you'll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience.

Responsibilities

• Monitor resources relative to each project monthly allowable fee expenditure, defining monthly CAD requirements and two‑weekly engineering workload forecasts. Carry out engineering concept design to detailed design, tender and contract on‑site supervision, through to completion, ensuring projects are undertaken in accordance with design briefs and that completion deadlines are achieved, via frequent design reviews with engineers.
• Ensure all design projects and reports within the team are technically compliant, to a consistent quality and standard. Maintain regular ‘in‑house’ design reviews and checks.
• Monitor contract staff or third‑party appointments.
• Maintain excellent client relationships and contacts to achieve high levels of satisfaction and repeat business. Manage client’s expectations and promote a team approach.
• Develop new business opportunities where appropriate and participate with company presentations.
• Motivate yourself and manage staff to build coherent high‑performing teams. Set objectives, monitor performance, coach and develop staff to optimise their potential.
• Monitor and control project progress, design variations and project financial budgets.
• Implement management and administration systems (timesheets/expenses etc), co‑ordinate holiday leave within team.
• Carry out staff Personal Development Plans in accordance with the procedures. Report any staff performance problems to Divisional Director and agree corrective action. Identify and implement all training/CPD requirements of staff within their team.
• Implement and manage QA systems and procedures on all projects.
• Implement Company Health and Safety. Ensure all designs respond to the CDM regulations.
• Ensure Quality Management System ISO 9001 and 14001 are adhered to.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years’ experience, especially in designing and managing mission critical, datacentre projects.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Experience of monitoring contract staff or third‑party appointments would be desirable.
• Able to undertake computer modelling, organise and direct the production of CAD (as senior engineer) drawings and correspond effectively with opposite numbers with other consultants.
• Skills in project managing on‑going jobs with limited supervision are desirable.
• Competency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.
• The ability to project a positive and professional attitude and motivate a team.
• Educational qualifications to a degree level or equivalent are desired.
• Ideally Chartered Engineer.
• Able to establish rapport and good working relationships within the project team and with clients.
• Experienced user of industry standard design software (e.g. Amtech, Dialux, Revit, Bluebeam etc) and be able to help develop the skills of junior design team members in this area.
• Experience in internally managing on‑going projects with limited supervision.
• Experience on site monitoring projects, working with contractors, and witnessing testing and commissioning activities.
• Able to encourage and support junior engineers to help them get to the next level.
• Leadership and people management skills and experience.
• Able to work as part of a team and collaboratively and co‑operatively.