Technical Director - Building Structure

WSP (Asia) Limited; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP (Asia) Limited is seeking a senior engineering leader to direct the Building Structures division, ensuring governance, delivery excellence, and high standards of safety and quality across multi-disciplinary projects in Singapore.

The role requires extensive experience, professional registration, and strong people leadership to drive performance, knowledge sharing, and client satisfaction within a leading global consultancy.

Qualifications

• Master or Bachelor degree in Civil & Structural engineering.
• 15+ years of multi-disciplinary project management experience in engineering design consultancy.
• Registered with the Professional Engineers Board.
• Proven leadership and client management skills.
• Ability to plan, organize and deliver project deliverables and bottom line.
• Ability to lead multiple project teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operation and management of the Building Structures division with governance and performance focus.
• Act as senior technical authority, establish standards and QA/QC across projects.
• Oversee project portfolios, risk management, and delivery processes to client expectations.
• Source and secure new business opportunities while maintaining client relationships.
• Manage division-level forecasts, utilisation, and cost control; track KPIs.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Business acumen

People management

Education

Master or Bachelor degree in Civil & Structural engineering

Job description

Purpose

The role will provide direction on technical authority, governance, and delivery excellence for property and buildings projects, covering work winning, structural design, collaboration on cross‑functional multi-disciplinary design projects.

This incumbent requires excellent technical engineering knowledge coupled with strong people leadership, HSEQ compliance, and excellent negotiating and communication skills.

Key Responsibility Areas

1. Division, Leadership & Business Management

• Lead the operation and management of the Building Structures division, ensuring effective delivery, governance, and performance outcomes
• Support the Sector Head in assessing current technical capabilities and identifying future capability needs
• Develop and implement plans for resource allocation, workforce planning, and utilisation optimisation across the division
• Drive knowledge management initiatives, including development of procedures, standards, and reusable knowledge assets
• Build a high-performance culture focused on delivery quality, accountability, and continuous improvement

2. Technical Authority & Design Governance

• Act as the senior technical authority for Building Structures, providing guidance on complex or high‑risk engineering matters
• Establish and uphold technical standards, engineering practices, and quality benchmarks across all projects
• Perform the role of Design Auditor / QAQC Auditor, ensuring compliance with internal procedures and ISO requirements
• Provide independent technical review and assurance for critical deliverables and project decisions
• Visit project sites as required to ensure compliance with TOP/CSC and regulatory requirements

3. Project & Portfolio Delivery Oversight

• Undertake roles such as PD/PM and QP/PE where required, particularly on complex or strategic projects
• Oversee project portfolios to ensure delivery performance, risk management, and alignment with client expectations
• Ensure consistent application of project management standards, controls, and delivery processes
• Implement risk registers and lessons learned mechanisms to strengthen delivery resilience across projects

4. Client & Business Development

• Lead and support efforts to source, secure, and convert new business opportunities
• Maintain and strengthen client relationships, ensuring high levels of satisfaction and repeat business
• Contribute to bid strategy, technical proposals, and solution positioning, particularly for complex or high‑value opportunities
• Balance client expectations with internal delivery capabilities, ensuring sustainable outcomes

5. Financial Management & Performance

• Accountable for project financial performance, including budget control and gross margin optimisation
• Manage division-level forecasts, utilisation, and cost control
• Track and report key performance indicators, including: Win rate, Project margin, DSO (Debtor Days), Delivery quality, Client satisfaction / NPS, Talent development metrics
• Drive actions to improve commercial outcomes and operational efficiency

6. Capability Development & People Leadership

• Provide technical mentorship and professional guidance to engineers across all levels, with emphasis on early‑career development
• Act as a technical adviser for design and project management matters, supporting sound engineering judgement
• Manage employee performance and contribute to talent development, succession planning, and capability building
• Foster a culture of knowledge sharing, continuous learning, and professional excellence

7. Engineering Tools & Innovation

• Identify and recommend engineering tools, software, and technologies to enhance delivery capability
• Support adoption of digital and process improvements to improve productivity and quality
• Encourage innovation while ensuring compliance with established engineering and quality frameworks

Key Competencies & Experience

• Recognised as a senior technical expert within Civil & Structural engineering, with strong domain credibility
• Demonstrates broad and well‑developed expertise, with working understanding of adjacent disciplines and commercial considerations
• Applies sound judgement to complex and at times ambiguous technical and operational matters
• Able to translate technical insights into practical, commercially viable solutions
• Engages effectively with senior stakeholders, clients, and regulators, building trusted working relationships
• Shows initiative and contributes to continuous improvement, innovation, and knowledge sharing

Requirements

• Master or Bachelor degree in Civil & Structural engineering
• More than 15 years of multi‑disciplinary project management experience in engineering design consultancy
• Registered with the Professional Engineers Board
• Experience in design, design development and contract administration work
• Proven team leader with strong leadership and client management skills
• Able to plan, organize and deliver project deliverables and bottom line
• Able to lead multiple project teams
• Strong business acumen and people management skills

Health & Safety and Wellbeing

• Embody behaviours that support a strong health and safety culture.
• Take reasonable steps to ensure personal health and safety, as well as that of others affected by activities.
• Comply with safety rules, procedures, and instructions issued by the company or authorized persons.
• Make proper use of facilities, equipment, and clothing provided for protection.
• Identify significant hazards associated with activities and eliminate them where possible.
• Reduce and control remaining risks to prevent harm.
• Participate in necessary health and safety training.
• Take note of health and safety information and instructions provided.
• Rectify health and safety problems or defects where safely and reasonably possible.
• Report issues if unable to rectify them.
• Foster good working relationships and embrace diversity and inclusion.
• Support employees' overall wellbeing to create a healthy and productive workplace.

Self-Development

• Take the lead to establish personal career experiences, development and performance goals through regular and relevant Thrive conversations.
• Keep up-to-date with developments in your professional area.
• Make use of expert collaboration opportunities such as PANS to develop and maintain a network of technical/professional support and excellence.
• Achieve and/or maintain professional registrations/licences relevant to your role.
• Update the Capabilities Database for sharing capabilities and qualifications within the business.
• Regularly reflect on the contribution you make to your team culture to embrace diversity, strive for excellence and demonstrate our Guiding Principles.

About WSP Asia

WSP is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, uniting its engineering, advisory and science‑based expertise to shape communities to advance humanity. From local beginnings to a globe‑spanning presence today, WSP operates in over 50 countries and employs approximately 73,000 professionals, known as Visioneers. WSP in Asia’s team of 3,500 professionals pioneer solutions and deliver innovative projects across the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, energy, water, advisory, digital services, project management and mission critical sectors.