Technical Director - River and Coastal Resilience

About Royal HaskoningDHV:

Royal HaskoningDHV has been connecting people for 140 years. Together, through our expertise and passion, we have helped contribute to a better society and improved people’s lives with work underpinned by our sustainable values and goals. We are an independent international engineering and project management consultancy leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.

Royal HaskoningDHV is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We have the clear goal of driving diversity and inclusion across all dimensions. Together, we are embarking on a journey where each and every one of us, individually and collectively, welcomes and celebrates individual differences. We recognise that embracing diversity unlocks innovation and creativity and fosters collaboration. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our communities and the customers we serve.

About the Environment-Resilience-Renewables (E-R-R) group:

We are home to one of the most successful groups of engineers, environment scientists and project managers in the fields of renewables, industry, offshore, coasts, rivers, ports and other inland developments. The group is around 200 people strong and growing and is based in 9 main offices in the UK (Brighton, Leeds, Newcastle, Peterborough, London, Edinburgh, Exeter, Manchester & Liverpool). We work closely with other groups in the UK, notably Maritime, but also Mobility & Infrastructure and Industry & Buildings, as well as our overseas teams, to deliver collaborative multi-disciplinary projects for our clients.

By integrating our deep domain experience, technology, and specialist partners, and working with our clients, we deliver solutions that are smart and robust – from optimising and refurbishing existing assets or creating new in sustainable ways that enhance society.

About the Resilience Engineering team:

Within the E-R-R group, there are around 30 engineers and technicians focusing on water’s edge projects who form a ‘Resilience Engineering Practice’. Primarily the recent focus has been on coastal engineering projects, although the team also has a strong track record and many ongoing projects in the fluvial sector as well as drainage projects. Recent highlights have been the award-winning Southsea Coastal Scheme and Northey Island Coastal Adaptation projects and Holme Sluice Fish Pass (largest in the UK). Projects range from flooding and erosion problems, habitat creation and amenity schemes through to port and industrial developments working for a variety of clients such as local authorities, contractors and private clients.

The team has the knowledge and experience to complete all stages of projects from project management, data gathering and interpretation; specification and supervision of site surveys; optioneering; design; procurement; and construction supervision.

Job Role:

• Act as Project Director / Technical Lead on a range of projects principally relating to the field of Water's Edge / Resilience Engineering (Mainly coastal, fluvial ideally, potentially drainage also too).
• Have an external focus on market, profiling, client relationships, business development and proposals to retain business and win work combined with internal technical leadership.
• Lead our ~30-strong Resilience Engineering group of engineers and technicians to disseminate industry technical developments, knowledge management, coordinate conferences/events/awards and training, including encouraging trainees towards chartership.
• Technical reviewer for the production of engineering designs and reports for a range of projects.
• Focus on ‘early project stage’ (feasibilities, optioneering, business cases etc.) more than detailed design & construction.
• Management of projected workload and facilitate growth (clients, regions, frameworks etc.).
• Provide mentorship and expertise to more junior staff in our UK teams.
• Developing International workload through liaison with internal international teams and external clients.
• Liaise with other business lines within the Royal HaskoningDHV organisation.
• Supervise project staff and ensure delivery of projects within programme and budget constraints.
• Help to prevent/manage claims.

This role might be right for you if you have:

• Excellent knowledge and experience in water’s edge engineering (mainly coastal, also fluvial, drainage).
• Good business sense with focus on developing business and delivering commercially successful projects.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Independent thinker able to work competently within a team.
• Personable and confident in relationships with colleagues and clients.
• A good working understanding of technical, commercial and contractual documents for procurement of engineering projects
• Chartered Engineer with a relevant institution such as ICE.
• 20 to 25+ years’ experience, the majority within waters’ edge engineering.

What we can offer you:

Ambitious. Exciting. Lively. Collaborative. Dynamic. That’s how our colleagues describe our company. Want to contribute to enhancing society with your expertise? Be part of an open network where you’re connected with the brightest and smartest people and technologies? Join us!

You can look forward to growing your career in a dynamic workplace with development opportunities and support on your career path. We have flexible working models to ensure a balance of family and working life. We welcome applicants that seek part time work as well.   

Location:
You will ideally be based in one of our main Resilience Engineering offices in Brighton, Leeds, Newcastle or Peterborough although we also have offices in London, Edinburgh, Exeter, Manchester or Liverpool. Fortnightly/Monthly commuting to different offices and clients will be expected.