Civil Infrastructure Lead

Cibsejournal; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure consultancy in Greater London is seeking a Principal Civil Engineer to lead their civil engineering team. The role focuses on team leadership, project oversight, and client engagement while offering a clear progression pathway to board-level in as little as 12 months. Ideal candidates will have a strong civil engineering consultancy background and enjoy mentoring and developing staff. Competitive salary and hybrid work options included.

Benefits

Competitive senior-level salary

Clear and accelerated pathway to board-level progression

Performance-related bonus

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Hybrid working and compressed hours

Pension scheme with employer contributions

Private medical insurance

Ongoing professional development and leadership training

Active social and sports events calendar

Qualifications

• Strong civil engineering consultancy background required.
• Experience in leadership roles preferred.
• Comfortable with client-facing responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the civil engineering team.
• Oversee project delivery and technical quality.
• Attend and lead client meetings.
• Develop engineers at all levels.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Mentoring

Client engagement

Technical oversight

Commercial awareness

Education

Chartered Engineer or working towards chartership

Job description

Civil infrastructure Lead

Location: UK (Hybrid working available)

Sector: Civil Engineering / Infrastructure Consultancy

We’re working with one of our consultancy clients who are looking to appoint a Principal Civil Engineer to lead their civil engineering team. This is a senior, strategic hire and a key leadership role within the business.

The focus of this position is on team leadership, project oversight, and client engagement, rather than day-to-day design production. While there may be times where you provide technical input or get involved in design, the core purpose of the role is to manage and develop the civil team, oversee technical quality, and act as a senior point of contact for clients and stakeholders.

This opportunity would suit someone who enjoys shaping teams, mentoring engineers, and being closely involved in the direction of projects and the wider business.

A standout feature of this role is the clear progression pathway to board level, with the opportunity for the successful person to move into a board position in as little as 12 months, based on performance and fit.

The Role

As Principal Civil Engineer, you will take responsibility for the leadership and performance of the civil engineering function, working closely with senior management and other discipline leads across the business.

Your role will include:

• Leading and managing the civil engineering team
• Overseeing project delivery, technical quality, and resourcing
• Acting as a senior technical authority and escalation point
• Mentoring, supporting, and developing engineers at all levels
• Playing a key role in setting technical standards, processes, and best practice
• Attending and leading client meetings, providing trusted technical input
• Supporting project planning, programming, and commercial performance
• Contributing to the strategic growth and direction of the business

This role will primarily support private sector development projects, while also maintaining involvement in public sector schemes.

About You

This position would suit a senior civil engineer who is ready to step into a broader leadership role, or an existing principal/associate looking for a clearer route to strategic influence.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a strong civil engineering consultancy background
• Is comfortable leading teams rather than purely delivering designs
• Enjoys mentoring and developing technical staff
• Is confident and credible in client-facing situations
• Brings strong technical knowledge across civil/infrastructure design
• Can oversee multiple projects and teams simultaneously
• Is commercially aware and experienced in consultancy project environments
• Is chartered or working towards chartership (preferred, not essential)

While business development and bringing in new clients is not the core focus of this role, you will be expected to build strong relationships with existing clients and represent the business at a senior level.

Technical Background

You’ll bring a broad technical foundation in civil and infrastructure engineering, enabling you to guide teams, review work, and provide high-level technical direction. This may include experience in areas such as:

• Infrastructure and civil engineering design
• Drainage and SuDS
• Highways and development infrastructure
• Multi-disciplinary project delivery
• Private sector development projects and public sector works

Hands-on design capability is beneficial, but not essential, as the emphasis is on leadership, oversight, and technical governance.

Leadership, Ownership & Progression

This is an employee-led business where people are genuinely invested in the long-term success of the company. The incoming Principal will be viewed as part of the future leadership group, with a defined opportunity to progress to board level within as little as 12 months.

They place a strong focus on empowering senior staff, developing leaders internally, and giving high performers a real voice in the direction of the business.

Benefits

• Competitive senior-level salary
• Clear and accelerated pathway to board-level progression
• Performance-related bonus
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Hybrid working and compressed hours
• Pension scheme with employer contributions
• Private medical insurance
• Season ticket loan & cycle to work scheme
• Ongoing professional development and leadership training
• Active social and sports events calendar