Technical Principal - Manchester / North West Structural Engineering Lead

Location/s: Manchester, UK
Recruiter contact: Andrea Gaffney

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit  
The Buildings Unit (BLD) has a major presence in Mott MacDonald's regional offices throughout the UK and mainland Europe, providing a wide range of diverse and transferable cross-sector skills across five key Sectors; Advisory, Built Environment, Energy, Transportation and Water. We also provide local services to customers and technical leadership to the rest of the Group in these sectors.

Overview of the role

Our Buildings team is seeking an experienced, technically credible and externally focused Technical Principal to lead and grow our structural engineering capability in Manchester and across the North West of England. This senior role requires a Chartered Engineer with substantial buildings experience who combines business development, technical authority, and project and people leadership. The successful candidate will lead an inclusive, high-performing team and empower others to develop as technical, project and people leaders.

The Manchester and North West team operate as an integral part of the wider structural engineering Discipline, sharing people, workload, knowledge, standards and opportunities across offices and geographies. Growth will come from supporting UK-wide Buildings Unit sector strategies, contributing to projects led by other Units, and securing locally originated North West work.

Working with Discipline leaders, digital teams and our Global Delivery Service, the Technical Principal will improve productivity through stronger technical delivery, standardisation, digital methods, automation and responsible use of AI. These initiatives must deliver measurable improvements in quality, consistency, efficiency, commercial performance and client outcomes.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

Technical, digital and delivery leadership

• Provide visible technical leadership and assurance on complex building designs, key decisions and project risks, promoting sound engineering judgement and clear communication of structural behaviour
• Champion sustainable and low-carbon design principles
• Be responsible for compliance and quality standards
• Promote technical excellence, creativity, productivity, innovation and continuous improvement
• Work with digital teams to identify, test and implement digital and AI initiatives within structural engineering workflows
• Adopt BIM, computational and parametric design, automation, data-led methods and responsible AI where these improve quality, insight or efficiency
• Convert new capabilities into governed, repeatable delivery methods, supported by guidance, training, assurance and adoption across the Discipline
• Lead technical delivery improvements through standardisation, reusable content, automated workflows, improved coordination and more efficient production and checking

Work winning and market growth

• Support UK-wide sector and account strategies with regional insight, structural leadership and access to the collective capability of the Structural Discipline
• Work across sectors to secure roles on multidisciplinary programmes, including transport, energy, defence, water and infrastructure projects, across Manchester and the North-West
• Contribute to positioning, capture planning, bid strategy, team formation, fees, technical writing, presentations and interviews
• Build relationships with priority clients, architects, developers, contractors, institutions and public bodies, converting market insight into qualified, profitable opportunities
• Represent the business externally and promote differentiation through technical excellence, sustainability, multidisciplinary capability, digital and AI-enabled delivery
• Support wider engagement of team with active client, sector and business-development responsibilities

Communication and representation

• Act as a credible voice for Manchester and North West team
• Communicate priorities, workload, performance, productivity, digital initiatives, opportunities and risks clearly to the North of England Structural Lead and other stakeholders
• Lead effective forums that connect colleagues across offices and geographies, resolve resource issues and promote technical and digital learning
• Present complex technical and commercial messages confidently to clients, collaborators and internal decision-makers

Discipline and people leadership

• Lead and motivate structural engineers in Manchester and the North-West
• Position the team as part of one structural engineering Discipline, working collaboratively across offices and geographies rather than as a standalone regional group
• Share capability, knowledge, workload and opportunities openly, supporting common technical standards, delivery methods, digital approaches and quality expectations
• Contribute to Discipline leadership, business planning, technical governance, recruitment, succession planning and investment decisions
• Set a clear team direction aligned with the UK Structures plan; priorities and sector strategies
• Build an inclusive and empowered culture based on trust, accountability, open communication and collective responsibility
• Work with line managers to ensure effective objectives, development conversations, feedback, recognition, wellbeing and pastoral support
• Identify capability and succession needs and implement recruitment, retention and development plans that support sustainable growth
• Develop a wider leadership group so that technical, people, project, resource, digital and business-development responsibilities are effectively delegated

Resource, productivity and operational management

• Maintain a clear view of workload, pipeline, capability, availability and future resource requirements across the regional team and wider Unit Discipline
• Lead resource planning that balances safe delivery, utilisation, development, productivity, continuity and retention
• Address resource gaps or surpluses through recruitment, development, mobility, collaboration with other UK teams and effective use of the Global Delivery Service
• Integrate the Global Delivery Service into project planning and delivery through clear scopes, appropriate technical leadership, effective communication, proportionate checking and shared accountability
• Build sustainable working relationships with Global Delivery Service leaders and improve interfaces and capability for the Buildings portfolio
• Sponsor productivity initiatives using improved technical delivery, repeatable methods, standardisation, digital workflows, automation, AI and global delivery, while maintaining design ownership, professional judgement, assurance and client service
• Support team and Discipline business plans, budgets, utilisation targets, recruitment plans, digital priorities and capability development
• Monitor performance, demand, productivity and operational risks, taking timely corrective action

Project and commercial leadership

• Lead significant and complex building projects as Project Director, Technical Director or Structural Lead
• Establish clear scope, objectives, delivery strategy, programme, resources, budget, governance and communication arrangements
• Create integrated delivery plans using local, Unit-wide and Global Delivery Service capability, supported by appropriate digital methods and clear technical accountability
• Build trusted relationships with clients, architects, contractors and multidisciplinary partners
• Lead delivery from concept and optioneering through detailed design and construction, actively managing quality, programme, productivity, commercial performance and client expectations
• Manage risks, opportunities, interfaces and change, and support robust fee development, contract review, forecasting, invoicing and recovery
• Sponsor project reviews and share lessons across the Discipline

Candidate specification

Essential:

Professional and technical

• Chartered Engineer and member of a relevant professional institution, preferably IStructE or ICE, with typically 15 or more years’ relevant post-graduate experience
• Strong credibility in the buildings market and substantial experience across concept design, optioneering, detailed design, assurance and construction support
• A strong record of leading structural teams, complex projects or major work packages in a multidisciplinary consultancy or comparable environment
• Strong understanding of structural behaviour, materials, systems, construction methods, design standards, UK legislation, Building Safety Act and CDM 2015 duties

Leadership, resources and commercial management

• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop inclusive, integrated teams through clear direction, collaboration, delegation and empowerment
• Experience of line management, mentoring, recruitment, retention, talent development, succession and constructive performance management
• Experience of resource planning across multiple projects, balancing utilisation, delivery, capability development and individual aspirations
• Strong project, commercial and contractual skills, including programme, budget, scope, risk, change, fees, appointments and forecasting
• Ability to interpret pipeline and workload information and respond through recruitment, development, collaboration, digital improvement or global delivery

Work winning, market and behaviours

• A successful record in capture planning, bid strategy, technical proposals, fee development, interviews and senior client engagement
• Knowledge of the Manchester and North West buildings market, or a credible plan and network for building that knowledge quickly
• Ability to develop trusted relationships with clients, architects, developers, contractors and public bodies, aligning local growth and broader sector strategies
• Excellent written, verbal and visual communication skills, with confidence in workshops, interviews and external representation
• A collaborative, client-centred and entrepreneurial approach, strong professional integrity, and commitment to wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion
• Willingness to travel regularly between Manchester and other North West offices, and elsewhere in the UK as required

Desirable:

• Ability to develop and communicate clear, practical and low-carbon structural strategies and assure high-quality calculations, models, drawings, reports and specifications
• Strong understanding of BIM and credible experience of computational or parametric design, automation, data-led delivery and practical AI applications
• A track record of working with digital specialists to implement governed tools and methods, drive adoption and deliver repeatable improvements
• Evidence of improving quality, productivity, consistency or programme through technical delivery changes, standardisation, digital methods, automation or AI
• Understanding of the scoping, leadership, communication, assurance and interfaces needed to use global delivery effectively without compromising quality or accountability
• A one-Discipline mindset, balancing regional needs with Unit objectives and sharing work, people, knowledge and opportunities across boundaries
• Experience of planning and leading integrated teams using diverse resources
• Ability to explain the client benefits of integrated technical, digital and global delivery approaches while protecting quality, accountability and professional judgement

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. 

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working  

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network. 

  If you're a service leaver, veteran, reservist or member of a military family, you can connect with our people through Armed Forces Careers - Connectr to ask questions, gain career insights and learn more about opportunities at Mott MacDonald.

• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.