Structural Associate Director

HDR, Inc.; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR in London is seeking an Associate Director to lead the structures group and deliver civil and structural design projects across the built environment. You will monitor resources, manage budgets, coach staff, and drive technical excellence while maintaining client relationships and pursuing new opportunities.

With 8+ years in design consultancy, Chartered status or near, you will shape project outcomes, supervise CAD production, and uphold QA and CDM standards in a fast-paced, collaborative

Qualifications

• Bachelor or master's degree in civil/structural engineering or equivalent.
• Chartered Engineer status or active pursuit with ICE/IStructE or equivalent.
• 8+ years in design consultancy.
• Experience supervising contract staff or third-party appointments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the structures group and manage project delivery.
• Monitor resources, budgets, and profitability for multiple projects.
• Coach staff and implement training, QA, and safety procedures.
• Maintain excellent client relationships and secure repeat business.
• Coordinate CAD production and liaise with other consultants.

Skills

Presentation skills

Communication

Team leadership

Project management

Education

BEng or MSc Civil/Structural Engineering

Tools

CAD software

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

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 organisation 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.

We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centres driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimising energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

About You

We are looking for someone who is personable self-starter with the ability to project a positive ‘can do’ professional attitude at all times maintaining good working relationships. Someone who enjoys working collaboratively across disciplines being able to establish excellent working rapport within the team, business and with clients, with the ability to work under pressure, handle a varied workload and keep to tight deadlines whilst maintaining the highest level of technical excellence.

About the Role

As an Associate Director you will provide management of the structures group. Monitoring and delivering projects with effective use of resources relative to fee with maximum profitability, maintaining technical quality, professionalism and completing all design activities to programme. Monitor and coach all staff performance within their group. Implement training, QA, Health and Safety.

Responsibilities

• Monitor resource relative to each project monthly allowable fee expenditure, defining monthly CAD requirements and two-weekly engineering workload forecasts.
• Carry out engineering concept design to detailed design, tender and contract on site supervision, to completion, ensuring projects are undertaken in accordance with design briefs and that completion deadlines are achieved, via frequent design reviews with engineers.
• Ensure all design projects and reports within the group are technically compliant, to a consistent quality and standard. Maintain regular ‘in house’ design reviews and checks.
• Monitor contract staff or third-party appointments.
• Maintain excellent client relationships and contacts to achieve high levels of satisfaction and repeat business. Manage client’s expectations and promote a team approach.
• Develop new business opportunities where appropriate and participate with company presentations.
• Motivate yourself and manage staff within group to build coherent high performing teams. Set objectives, monitor performance, coach and develop staff to optimise their potential.
• Monitor and control project progress, design variations and project financial budgets.
• Implement management and administration systems (timesheets/expenses etc), co-ordinate holiday leave within group.
• Carry out staff Personal Development Plans in accordance with the Personal Development Plans Procedures. Report any staff performance problems to Structures Director and agree corrective action. Identify and implement all training/CPD requirements of staff within their group.
• Implement and manage QA systems and procedures on all projects.
• Implement Company Health and Safety. Ensure all designs respond to the CDM regulations.
• Ensure Quality Management System ISO 9001 and 14001 are adhered to.

Requirements

• BEng, MSc, or equivalent qualification in Civil, Structural Engineering or relevant subject.
• Chartered Engineer or ongoing pursuit of chartered status with ICE, IStructE or relevant association.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• 8yrs minimum experience within a design consultancy, designing and managing projects.
• Experience of monitoring contract staff or third-party appointments would be desirable.
• Able to undertake computer modelling organise and direct the production of CAD drawings and correspond effectively with opposite numbers with other consultants.
• Experience in the same or similar position is desired.
• Competency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.
• The ability to project a positive and professional attitude at all times.
• Good knowledge and use of appropriate project and design analysis software.

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

BusinessClass : Building Structural

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

We are an affirmative action 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.