Commissioning Area Business Class Lead

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR in London is seeking a Commissioning Area Business Class Leader to guide a multi-disciplinary team within the Structural section. You will lead with a client-focused approach, manage staff, align with regional leaders, and drive delivery across projects to meet budgets and schedules.

The role emphasizes staff development, collaboration with Digital teams, and ensuring high-quality technical outcomes. A senior, global firm culture awaits with formal leadership responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 10 years of related experience.
• Demonstrated aspirations toward HDR's Officers, Professional Associates, and Associates Program.
• Maintains professional engineering registration and has relevant technical experience.
• Experience developing and managing diverse teams.
• Works cooperatively with other Business Class Directors, Operations Managers, Technical Directors, and Marketing Managers.

Responsibilities

• Lead by example with a client/customer service mentality.
• Collaborate with leadership team to facilitate operation of the group.
• Motivate staff and maintain team morale.
• Provide technical and professional guidance and staff development.
• Coordinate workload with Project Managers and Team Leads.
• Monitor project budgets and schedules within the Structural section.
• Assist with forecasting and business planning for the business class.

Skills

People management

Communication

Leadership

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture/Engineering or related field

Job description

Commissioning Area Business Class Lead - ( 196026 )

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Primary Responsibilities

In the role of Commissioning Area Business Class Leader, we'll count on you to:

Lead by Example

• Represent HDR and BES as a leader with a client/customer service mentality.
• Work hand in hand with the Managing Principal and fellow Area Business Class Leads as a member of the Area BES Leadership Team to facilitate the successful operation of the group.
• Motivate individuals and the Business Class section.
• Exert a positive influence in the work environment and help maintain team morale.
• Engage with fellow Area Business Class Leads throughout BES and build a community of practice around technical excellence and project delivery for the respective business class.
• Work collaboratively to satisfy and support enterprise needs.
• Work closely with Regional Business Class Leaders to align a culture of technical excellence within the Structural section.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Manage staff, including:
  • Addressing personnel issues
  • Delegating responsibilities
  • Hiring and termination decisions
  • Strategic planning for the business class group at the area level
  • Recruiting and developing talent
  • Mentoring staff
  • Conducting annual reviews and Outlook conversations
• Provide technical and professional guidance.
• Support staff with professional development and career growth plans.

Work Delegation and Staffing

• Coordinate workload needs with Project Managers.
• Work with Team Leads to assign staff to projects and align workload with project schedules, staff availability, and expertise.
• Coordinate with the Managing Principal for workshare opportunities outside the area as required.
• Monitor utilization performance against established goals for staff within the Structural section.

Project Delivery Accountability

• Take an active role in monitoring project budgets and schedules within the Structural section.
• Communicate with staff and Project Managers to ensure project information is clearly understood, including:
  • Scope
  • Budget
  • Deliverables
  • Programme
  • Forecasts

Forecasting and Business Planning

• Assist the Managing Principal in determining short-term, mid-term, and long-term forecasting for the business class.
• Assist with project proposals related to the Structural business class.

Technical Delivery

• Take an active role in monitoring technical delivery within the Structural section.
• Communicate with Team Leads and staff to promote quality, consistency, and delivery to deadlines.
• Liaise with the Digital Area Business Class Lead to ensure workflows and coordination processes between the Structural section and Digital teams are understood and followed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Minimum 10 years of related experience.
• Demonstrated aspirations toward HDR's Officers, Professional Associates, and Associates Program.
• Maintains professional engineering registration and has relevant technical experience.
• Experience developing and managing diverse teams.
• Works cooperatively with other Business Class Directors, Operations Managers, Technical Directors, and Marketing Managers.
• Commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and HDR values.
• Proven commitment to actively participating in HDR's employee-owned culture.
• Excellent people management, communication, and organizational skills.

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust, and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, and Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field
• 10 years of experience
• Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values
• Maintains a professional or engineering registration and has related technical experience
• Experienced in development and management of diverse teams
• Works cooperatively with other area business class leaders, operations managers, technical directors and marketing managers on business class efforts
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location

United Kingdom-England-London

Other Locations

United Kingdom-Scotland-Glasgow, United Kingdom-England-Manchester

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Sep 9, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an Affiant and Equal Opportunity Employe r.
We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great thingspossible.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We'realways looking for great talent to join our global teams.