Head of Tunnelling & Underground Space

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

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a senior Head of Tunnelling & Underground Space to lead a world-class practice and shape future infrastructure delivery. The role is hybrid, based in one of our major UK hubs including Birmingham, with responsibility for strategic direction, technical excellence, and high-performing teams across transportation, water, and urban projects.

The successful candidate will drive business growth, lead cross-location teams, and strengthen client relationships while advancing

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil/Geotechnical/Structural Engineering or related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer with ICE/IStructE or equivalent.
• Extensive tunnelling/underground project delivery experience.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams across multiple sites.
• Strong commercial acumen with BD and client engagement experience.
• In-depth knowledge of UK/international standards and safety.

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 professional networks.
• Champion digital engineering, sustainability, carbon reduction, and emerging tunnelling technologies.
• Develop future leaders and maintain a strong culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Mentoring

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in Civil/Geotechnical/Structural

Chartered Engineer (ICE/IStructE)

Tools

BIM

CAD

Job description

Overview

Shape the Future Below Ground.

We are seeking an exceptional Head of Tunnelling & Underground Space to lead, grow, and shape one of the industry's most respected tunnelling and underground infrastructure practices.

This is a senior leadership role within an industry-leading design and engineering company, responsible for setting strategic direction, strengthening technical excellence, developing high‑performing teams, and driving sustainable business growth across major infrastructure markets.

You will lead the growth of world‑class tunnelling and underground space solutions across sectors including transportation, water, energy, defence, urban infrastructure, and major programme delivery. Working with clients, partners, and global technical specialists, you will help define the future of underground infrastructure while enhancing our reputation as a trusted advisor and delivery partner.

You will be part of a Ground Engineering & Tunnelling practice comprising over 375 Staff and as part of a hybrid working culture, the role would be based in one of our major hubs in Epsom, London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol or Leeds.

Your role

• 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 professional networks.
• Champion digital engineering, sustainability, carbon reduction, and emerging tunnelling technologies.
• Develop future leaders and maintain a strong culture of collaboration, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

About you

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Engineering Geology, or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status with a recognised professional institution, such as 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, including TBM, Sprayed Concrete Lining, cut-and-cover, shafts, caverns, or trenchless technologies.
• Strong technical credibility and recognised standing within the tunnelling and underground infrastructure sector.
• Demonstrable experience leading multidisciplinary teams and developing technical talent.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience in business development, bidding, client engagement, and profitable project delivery.
• Excellent understanding of relevant UK and/or international standards, safety requirements, risk management, and design governance.

Leadership and Management Skills

• Inspirational leader with the ability to define and deliver a clear strategic vision.
• Proven ability to lead large, geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with clients, contractors, regulators, partners, and senior executives.
• Excellent communication, influencing, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to make sound strategic decisions in complex, high-profile project environments.
• Experience driving organisational change, service transformation, and practice growth.
• Strong commitment to technical excellence, health and safety, quality assurance, innovation, and sustainable outcomes.
• Passion for mentoring, coaching, and developing the next generation of tunnelling and underground space leaders.

Desirable Attributes

• Active involvement in industry bodies such as BTS, ITA, CIRIA, or equivalent.
• Published papers, conference presentations, or recognised thought leadership in tunnelling or underground space.
• Experience leading international project teams or major framework commissions.
• Strong understanding of digital delivery, BIM, automation, low‑carbon design, and future infrastructure trends.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Rewards and benefits – Careers at AtkinsRéalis

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

The application end date is 14th September.

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