Drainage Highway Market Lead / Associate Director - UK Wide

Jacobs; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the UK is seeking a Drainage Highway Market Lead / Associate Director. You will lead drainage design for major infrastructure projects, mentor junior engineers, and ensure compliance with UK standards. The ideal candidate holds a degree in Civil Engineering, chartered status, and has extensive experience in drainage design. This role offers a chance to influence significant projects while working in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in drainage design for highways and urban environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK Transport Infrastructure standards.
• Proficient in health and safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead drainage design across all project stages.
• Mentor junior engineers and support their growth.
• Collaborate with clients and approval authorities.

Skills

Drainage design

Mentoring

Collaboration

Innovation and sustainability

Client relationship management

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline

Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or equivalent

Tools

Drainage modelling software

Job description

Drainage Highway Market Lead / Associate Director - UK Wide As a Drainage Highway Market Lead, you'll play a central role in supporting the future of infrastructure across the UK and beyond. You'll lead the delivery of high-quality drainage design solutions for transportation and urban infrastructure projects, applying your deep technical expertise and understanding of UK standards to complex, multidisciplinary challenges.

You'll guide a geographically diverse team across Ireland, the UK, and global offices—mentoring junior engineers, collaborating across disciplines, and ensuring technical excellence at every stage of project delivery. Your leadership will foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing, while your proactive approach will help drive sustainable, compliant, and efficient design outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead drainage design across all project stages, ensuring compliance with UK standards and client expectations.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, supporting their growth and technical development.
• Collaborate with clients and approval authorities, building trusted relationships and delivering strategic solutions.
• Champion innovation and sustainability in drainage design, contributing to decarbonisation and resilient infrastructure.
• Work flexibly across offices and client sites.

Jacobs' Transportation team is recognised for delivering high-profile projects for clients such as Transport Infrastructure Ireland, National Highways, Transport Scotland, Network Rail, Welsh Government, HS2 Ltd, and numerous Local Authorities. With a growing portfolio in Ireland and internationally, this role offers the opportunity to influence major infrastructure developments while advancing your career in a supportive, forward-thinking environment.

Thriving communities. Healthy cities. A brighter future.

If you're ready to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact—Jacobs is ready to invest in you.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or equivalent.
• Extensive experience in drainage design for highways and urban environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK Transport Infrastructure standards and the SuDS Manual and other drainage guidance.
• Proven experience obtaining design approvals from authorities.
• Proficiency in drainage modelling software and tools.
• Strong understanding of health and safety legislation.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build trust across teams and with clients.