Technical Director - Ports and Maritime

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Thrive programme

Gymflex scheme

Job summary

WSP is seeking an experienced Technical Director to lead ports, terminals and maritime infrastructure across the UK, Ireland, Europe and selected international markets. The role combines technical authority, client leadership, business growth and delivery accountability across some of the industry’s most complex maritime programmes.

This senior position offers significant autonomy and influence as you shape technical strategy, mentor leaders and contribute to WSP Maritime’s growth while

Qualifications

• Experience delivering major maritime, terminal or infrastructure programmes.
• External profile in ports/maritime sector with client leadership or industry engagement.
• Ability to drive business growth through strategy, recruitment and market positioning.

Responsibilities

• Act as Project Director or senior technical sponsor for major maritime and port programmes.
• Define the technical vision and delivery strategy for large infrastructure projects.
• Provide senior multidisciplinary oversight across maritime civil, geotechnical, coastal, structural and electrical disciplines.
• Lead technical challenges on constructability, resilience, decarbonisation and operational integration.
• Build trusted advisor relationships with senior client stakeholders and mentor engineers.
• Contribute to development of WSP Maritime’s strategy and capability growth.

Skills

Technical leadership

Client relationship management

Delivery governance

Leadership

Education

Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent

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.

• 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.

To excel in this position, you must bring recognised technical authority, pragmatic delivery judgement and the confidence to guide senior clients and multidisciplinary teams through complex project decisions. Your ability to reduce delivery risk while maintaining commercial control will be vital to WSP and our clients’ success.

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 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.

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.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

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.