Chief Tunnelling & Underground Space Leader

AtkinsRéalis; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Training and development

Flexible holiday allowance

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Head of Tunnelling & Underground Space to lead and grow a premier tunnelling practice. You will guide strategic direction, drive technical excellence, and shape major infrastructure delivery across UK markets.

The role involves building client relationships, leading dispersed teams, and championing digital engineering and sustainability. Based in a hybrid setting with hubs in Epsom, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol or Leeds, you will mentor future leaders and

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Engineering Geology, or related.
• Chartered Engineer status with ICE, IStructE, or equivalent.
• Experience in tunnelling, underground structures, geotechnical engineering, or major infrastructure delivery.
• Proven experience leading the design and delivery of major tunnelling and underground projects (TBM, SCL, cut-and-cover, shafts, caverns).
• Strong technical credibility and standing in tunnelling/underground sector.
• Demonstrable experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing technical talent.
• Strong commercial acumen in business development, bidding, client engagement, and profitable delivery.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the tunnelling and underground space practice.
• Drive technical excellence, innovation, quality, safety, and design assurance across major projects.
• Lead, inspire, and develop multidisciplinary teams across multiple locations.
• Build strong client relationships and secure major commissions in target markets.
• Support business planning, revenue growth, profitability, and resource development.
• Represent the business externally at senior client meetings, industry forums, conferences, and networks.
• Champion digital engineering, sustainability, carbon reduction, and emerging tunnelling technologies.
• Develop future leaders and maintain a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Client relationship building

Team development

Communication

Stakeholder management

Change management

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Geotechnical/Structural Engineering

Chartered Engineer (ICE/IStructE)

Tools

BIM

Job description

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Head of Tunnelling & Underground Space to lead and grow a premier tunnelling practice. You will guide strategic direction, drive technical excellence, and shape major infrastructure delivery across UK markets.

The role involves building client relationships, leading dispersed teams, and championing digital engineering and sustainability. Based in a hybrid setting with hubs in Epsom, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol or Leeds, you will mentor future leaders and