Technical Director Geotechnical Engineer - Birmingham

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Technical Director to lead geotechnical programmes across the UK and internationally from our Birmingham hub. You will set technical standards, governance, and expert direction while building trusted client relationships and shaping long-term opportunities for major flagship projects.

Join a multidisciplinary team and drive innovation in sustainability, digital delivery and data management, while mentoring senior staff and representing WSP at industry forums

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading complex geotechnical programmes.
• Deep expertise in geotechnical engineering and ground engineering.
• Experience acting as technical authority with governance across projects.
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of winning work.
• Exceptional client-facing and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to lead multi-location technical teams.
• Experience shaping technical strategy and driving innovation.
• Active involvement in industry institutions or committees.
• Chartered status with a relevant professional institution.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for major geotechnical programmes.
• Set technical standards and best practices across projects.
• Govern project quality, risk, and professional excellence.
• Build trusted client relationships and act as senior ambassador.
• Develop long-term client strategies and pursue major opportunities.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams across regions to align resources.
• Drive innovations in sustainability and digital delivery.
• Mentor staff and support succession planning.
• Represent WSP at industry forums and client engagements.

Skills

Geotechnical leadership

Engineering geology

Ground engineering

Technical governance

Business development

Stakeholder management

Client relationships

Job description

Job Description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

Job Description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

To find out more about our Geotechnical business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: https://www.wsp.com/en-GB/services/geotechnical-and-ground-engineering

We are looking for Technical Directors to join our existing team in Birmingham.

A Little More About Your Role…

• Providing technical leadership and strategic direction for major geotechnical programmes and complex ground engineering projects across the UK and internationally.
• Acting as a recognised authority in geotechnical engineering, setting technical standards, driving best practice and providing expert advice on the most challenging engineering problems.
• Leading the technical governance of projects, ensuring the highest standards of quality, risk management and professional excellence are consistently achieved.
• Building and maintaining trusted relationships with key clients, industry bodies and external stakeholders, acting as a senior ambassador for WSP's geotechnical business.
• Developing long-term client account strategies and leading the pursuit of major opportunities, frameworks and flagship projects.
• Directing multidisciplinary teams across multiple projects and regions, ensuring resources, capability and specialist expertise are aligned with current and future business needs.
• Leading and influencing technical innovation across the business, driving improvements in sustainability, digital delivery, geotechnical data management and emerging technologies.
• Developing technical capability across the profession through mentoring, coaching and sponsorship of senior staff, whilst actively supporting succession planning and future leadership development.
• Driving business growth through technical excellence, market insight and thought leadership, helping to shape the future direction of the geotechnical discipline within WSP.
• Representing WSP externally through industry forums, conferences, professional institutions and key client engagements, enhancing the reputation of the business and profession.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• Extensive experience leading complex geotechnical engineering programmes and delivering technical excellence on high-profile infrastructure and development projects.
• Deep expertise in geotechnical engineering, engineering geology and ground engineering, with recognised specialist knowledge in one or more technical disciplines.
• Demonstrable experience acting as a technical authority, providing governance, assurance and strategic direction across projects, teams and business operations.
• Strong commercial awareness with a proven track record of winning work, growing client relationships and delivering sustainable business performance.
• Exceptional client-facing and stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing senior decision-makers and leading strategic discussions.
• Proven ability to develop, inspire and lead high-performing technical teams across multiple locations and disciplines.
• Experience shaping technical strategy, driving innovation and implementing improvements that deliver measurable benefits across a business.
• A strong profile within the wider industry, with active involvement in professional institutions, industry groups or technical committees.
• Chartered status with a relevant professional institution. Fellowship status or equivalent industry recognition would be highly advantageous.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.