Technical Director - Ports and Maritime

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Thrive health and wellbeing programme

Gymflex wellness benefits

Menopause support package

Job summary

WSP is seeking an experienced Technical Director to steer ports, terminals and maritime infrastructure projects across the UK, Ireland and Europe. You will provide senior technical leadership, shape strategy, mentor leaders and drive the growth of WSP Maritime.

You will oversee major programmes, develop capability, engage clients at high levels and ensure safe, robust and commercially successful outcomes throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Significant experience delivering and leading major maritime, terminal or infrastructure programmes.
• Chartered Engineer status with recognised technical authority.
• External profile in ports/maritime sector with client leadership or industry engagement.

Responsibilities

• Act as Project Director or senior technical sponsor for major maritime, port and terminal programmes across multiple countries.
• Define the technical vision and delivery strategy for major infrastructure programmes.
• Provide senior multidisciplinary oversight across maritime civil, geotechnical, coastal, structural, electrical, environmental, buildings, transport and cost disciplines.
• Lead technical challenge and decision-making on constructability, phasing, resilience, automation, electrification and decarbonisation.
• Lead strategic pursuits and win strategies, developing client propositions and increasing repeat business.
• Build trusted advisor relationships with senior client stakeholders and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

Project leadership

Maritime engineering

Client leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Education

Chartered Engineer status

Tools

FIDIC contracts

Port civil/structural design

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.

A Little More About Your Role…

WSP is seeking an experienced Technical Director to help shape the future of ports, terminals and maritime infrastructure across the UK, Ireland, Europe and selected international markets. This is a highly visible leadership role combining technical authority, client leadership, business growth and delivery accountability across some of the industry's most complex and strategically important maritime programmes.

This role offers significant autonomy and influence. You will help shape technical strategy, develop future capability, strengthen client relationships, mentor future leaders and contribute directly to the growth and direction of WSP's Maritime business.

As part of the team, you will complement the wide experience of a highly knowledgeable and dynamic group of Ports & Maritime experts based in the UK and across the globe.

You will provide senior technical leadership, business direction and project director accountability for major maritime programmes, shaping technical excellence, developing capability, influencing market strategy and ensuring WSP delivers safe, robust, commercially successful and technically outstanding outcomes across the full project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities…

• Act as Project Director or senior technical sponsor for major maritime, port and terminal programmes, including large-scale container terminals, energy-transition infrastructure, offshore wind ports, port modernisation programmes and strategic Owner's Engineer assignments across multiple countries.


• Define the technical vision and delivery strategy for major infrastructure programmes, providing clients and project teams with confidence in key decisions and outcomes.


• Provide senior multidisciplinary oversight across maritime civil, geotechnical, coastal, structural, electrical, environmental, buildings, transport and cost disciplines.


• Lead technical challenge and decision-making on constructability, phasing, resilience, automation, electrification, decarbonisation and operational integration.


• Lead strategic pursuits and win strategies, developing compelling client propositions, leveraging WSP's multidisciplinary capability, shaping commercial approaches and increasing repeat business across the Maritime portfolio.


• Build trusted advisor relationships with senior client stakeholders, becoming a recognised source of strategic and technical advice.


• Mentor and develop senior engineers, project managers and future technical leaders, strengthening technical governance, professional development, succession planning and delivery excellence across the team.


• Contribute to the development and implementation of WSP Maritime's medium-term business strategy, helping define priorities for capability growth, service development, target markets and strategic client engagement.


• Lead development of project governance, technical standards, guidance notes, best-practice methodologies and lessons-learned programmes, promoting knowledge sharing and professional excellence across WSP and the wider industry.


• Drive recruitment, succession planning and capability development across the Maritime business, addressing current and future technical skills requirements and supporting sustainable growth.


• Represent WSP as an external industry leader, contributing to conferences, technical forums, industry working groups and the development of best practice across the ports and maritime sector.


• Champion WSP's health, safety and wellbeing culture through visible leadership, design safety governance, behavioural safety leadership and active engagement with project teams.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• Significant experience delivering and leading major maritime, terminal or infrastructure programmes, with a record of building client trust and leading complex multidisciplinary teams.


• Chartered Engineer status with recognised technical authority and proven accountability for major engineering decisions.


• Demonstrable external profile within the ports and maritime sector, including client leadership, industry engagement, conference participation, technical publications or contribution to industry initiatives.


• Experience contributing to business growth, including strategy development, recruitment, capability building, market positioning and major opportunity conversion.


• Proven project director capability directing multidisciplinary projects from masterplanning and FEED through detailed design, procurement, construction support and completion.


• Strong understanding of delivery governance including FIDIC or equivalent contract environments, technical governance, QA/QC, risk management, programme and commercial controls.


• Ability to combine technical depth with delivery judgement and senior client credibility on complex or high-value commissions.


• Experience in emerging and specialist port requirements such as automated terminals, port electrification, climate resilience, asset management or major rehabilitation programmes would be advantageous.


• Evidence of operating across multiple countries, clients and delivery cultures with judgement, clarity and senior stakeholder confidence.

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

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

About Us

We are one of the worlds 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 11000 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-lifebalance: 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.


• Health & Wellbeing: We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you - giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.


• Flex your time: To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the "WSP My Hour", allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.


• Your development: We understand the importance of development and training to you. That's why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.