Director - Ground Engineering

RPS; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent engineering firm in Birmingham is seeking a Director for their Ground Engineering team. The successful candidate will lead a team of over 15 professionals, responsible for driving financial performance, client satisfaction, and business development. This role offers an opportunity to innovate within the sector and oversee a range of geo-environmental projects across England and Wales. Flexible working options are available, supporting individual wellbeing and performance.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• Strong geo-environmental and geotechnical engineering experience.
• Experience in managing teams and projects effectively.

Responsibilities

• Deliver financial performance in line with annual business plans.
• Lead a 15 person geo-environmental team across multiple locations.
• Ensure client satisfaction and maintain high quality service delivery.
• Drive business development and innovation initiatives.

Skills

Financial Management

Leadership & Management

Client Relationship Management

Business Development

Education

Relevant chartership or leadership qualifications

Job description

Director - Ground Engineering

Join RPS as a Director to lead growth for our UK Ground Engineering and Environmental Compliance team, managing well‑established teams across England and Wales.

Role Purpose

We are looking to appoint a Director to help lead growth for our UK Ground Engineering and Environmental Compliance team and manage well established teams in England and Wales. This role combines a mix of duties including maximising financial performance, quality assurance, client satisfaction, and team leadership for an established team function. Importantly, the postholder will play a pivotal role in business development and innovation, guiding the business unit into new markets and service offerings. This is a great opportunity to join our business with an influential role.

What Can Be Achieved In This Role

The Director will be expected to deliver financial performance in line with the annual business plan, achieving revenue and profit margin targets while improving other key metrics set for growth and our people strategy. Success will also be measured by the growth and retention of key client accounts, the development of new business opportunities, recruitment and the launch of innovative and profitable service offerings. Strong leadership of the 15+ person team is essential to deliver for clients and provide development opportunities for our colleagues.

Relevant Facts & Figures

The Director leads a team of 15+ people, including up to 4 direct reports comprising Associates and Principal Consultants.

The role works alongside five other directors supporting functions within the team as a whole. The team provides geo‑environmental, geotechnical, hydrogeological, environmental permitting and coordination services across the UK and beyond. The role carries responsibility for overseeing the geo‑environmental function across several locations in England and Wales. The postholder is expected to spend over 50% of their time working on projects (i.e. billable work).

Core Capabilities

Financial Management Reporting to the Operational Director, the Director will hold accountability for the financial performance of the team’s delivery against project revenue and profit targets. This includes close oversight of project‑level financials, proactive resolution of issues, and continuous monitoring of key metrics such as profitability, cashflow and utilisation.

Leadership & Management Lead a 15 person geo‑environmental team across offices in England and Wales. This includes overseeing team structure, performance management and professional development to ensure the team operates effectively and delivers high‑quality outcomes. While technical expertise is necessary, there is an emphasis on fostering a collaborative and accountable culture that supports continuous improvement.

Client Relationship Management Responsible for strategic oversight of existing key client accounts and securing new key clients, ensuring consistent delivery of high‑quality services across multi-disciplinary projects. Acts as a senior point of contact and advisor to ensure client satisfaction and provide structured feedback to senior directors.

Maintaining Quality Assurance Standards Ensure full compliance with both internal quality assurance processes and external regulatory standards. Champion a culture of quality and continuous improvement across the team. Oversee audit readiness, corrective action implementation and maintain quality as a central pillar for delivery and client satisfaction.

Business Development Play a pivotal role in driving business growth by identifying new clients and markets and developing service offerings that respond to emerging client needs. Lead innovation initiatives, foster proactive market engagement, and collaborate with the wider company to help cross‑sell services.

Beneficial Training, Qualifications, or Equivalent Work Experience

• Strong geo‑environmental and geotechnical engineering experience.
• Relevant chartership, IOSH or leadership qualifications helpful but not essential.

RPS Tetra Tech is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment across all areas of our organisation. We recognise that a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives contributes to a more dynamic, innovative, and supportive workplace where every individual is empowered to share their ideas and contribute meaningfully. We are dedicated to building a culture of respect and equity, where people are valued regardless of their ethnicity, gender identity, age, belief system, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. Adaptations could include work‑schedule adjustments, training approaches or workspace modifications. Please inform us if you need accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day‑to‑day role.

Flexible and part‑time working options are available in this role, with working patterns agreed collaboratively between employees and line managers to support individual wellbeing and optimal performance.