Associate Director - Highway Design

Carrington West; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy is seeking an Associate Director - Highway Design for their new Midlands office in Birmingham. This strategic role involves leadership in highway design projects, client engagement, and team development within a collaborative environment, offering significant career growth opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Career progression opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years' experience in highway design in a consultancy.
• Strong technical knowledge of UK highway design standards.
• Proven capability to lead design teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the design process across highways projects.
• Develop client relationships and identify new business opportunities.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to junior staff.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Client Engagement

Technical Knowledge

Education

Degree in Highway Engineering

Job description

Associate Director - Highway Design
Location: Birmingham (Midlands Office)
Reporting to: Board of Directors
We're pleased to be supporting a leading consultancy in their search for an Associate Director - Highway Design to join their newly established Midlands office. This is a key leadership role offering the opportunity to take ownership of a growing pipeline of highway design projects while shaping the culture and capabilities of a talented team.
With a strong technical foundation and a passion for delivering high-quality, practical highway solutions, you'll lead on project design, client engagement, and team development. This is an exciting time to join the business as it expands into the Midlands, offering real potential for career growth and strategic influence.

The Role
As Associate Director, you'll be responsible for overseeing and managing the design process across a range of highways projects. You'll work closely with the Board of Directors and senior leadership to drive project excellence, ensure commercial success, and build strong client relationships.

Key Responsibilities
·Lead the delivery of highway design projects, ensuring quality, efficiency, and compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
·Support the growth of the Midlands office by developing client relationships and identifying new business opportunities.
·Oversee the preparation of technical designs, drawings, and reports - ensuring accuracy and high standards across all outputs.
·Provide leadership, mentoring, and technical oversight to junior staff, encouraging professional development and knowledge-sharing.
·Work closely with the wider senior management team to contribute to business planning, resource management, and strategic decision-making.
·Manage project budgets, fee proposals, and scopes of work to ensure financial targets are met.
·Maintain effective communication with clients, acting as a trusted point of contact and ensuring their expectations are exceeded.
·Support recruitment and retention efforts as the Midlands team grows.

What We're Looking For
·A degree-qualified highways engineer with a minimum of 6 years' experience in highway design (consultancy background preferred).
·Strong technical knowledge of UK highway design standards and relevant software packages.
·Proven ability to lead design teams and deliver complex projects to time and budget.
·Excellent communication skills and the confidence to represent the business in client meetings and industry forums.
·Ideally based within commuting distance of Birmingham, with the ability to attend the office regularly.

Why This Role?
·Be part of an exciting new chapter for a respected consultancy, helping shape the direction of a growing regional office.
·Take on a strategic leadership role with clear scope for progression.
·Work in a collaborative and supportive environment that values technical excellence and innovation.
·Competitive salary and benefits package.

If you're a driven highways professional ready to take the next step in your career, we'd love to hear from you.