Description
This role ensures that engineering projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards, while maintaining strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and internal teams.
The Head of Engineering leads a multi-disciplined engineering and design team that delivers across the full project lifecycle—from HAZOPs and FEED studies through to detailed design, project management, and subcontractor management. The team operates across a diverse range of sectors including oil and gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, utilities, food and drink, hydrogen, and renewables.
This role requires strong leadership, a commercial mindset, and a proven engineering background to support the company’s ambition to grow organically by attracting new clients through project delivery excellence and securing long-term framework agreements.
Main Accountabilities & Competencies: Business Development
- Support the identification and pursuit of new business opportunities
- Help secure new project work and framework agreements through engineering excellence and client engagement
Business Acumen
- Accountability for leading the Engineering and Design function as a business
- Ownership of the P&L
- Accountability for margin across the function, and all projects
Leadership & Strategy
- Provide strong, visible leadership to the engineering function, setting clear direction and expectations
- Define and implement engineering standards, processes, and best practices
- Champion a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, and innovation
- Contribute to strategic planning and business development initiatives
Project Execution
- Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of engineering and design packages, through Discipline Leads and Project Managers
- Ensure compliance with contract specifications, regulatory requirements, and company policies
- Monitor project performance against KPIs (quality, cost, schedule, safety)
- Ensure the engineering and design team delivers across the full project lifecycle, including:
- HAZOPs
- FEED studies
- Detailed design
- Project management
- Subcontractor management
People Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop senior engineering and design managers across multiple disciplines
- Conduct performance reviews, identify training needs, and support career development
- Ensure adequate resourcing and capability across all engineering disciplines, through Project Managers and Discipline Leads
Stakeholder Engagement
- Function as the primary engineering interface with clients, consultants, and other stakeholders, as required, at a senior level
- Build and maintain strong relationships to ensure client satisfaction and repeat business
- Collaborate with other departments (e.g., Procurement, Construction) to ensure seamless strategy development
Commercial & Risk Management
- Identify and mitigate engineering risks and issues
- Ensure engineering deliverables meet commercial objectives and contractual obligations
Health, Safety, Environment & Quality (HSEQ)
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure all engineering activities comply with HSEQ standards
- Drive quality assurance and control across all engineering outputs
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- New client acquisition and framework agreements secured
- On-time delivery of engineering packages
- Budget adherence and cost control
- Client satisfaction
- Quality and compliance audit results
- Staff retention and development metrics
- Safety performance
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications- Degree-qualified Engineer in a relevant discipline
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status preferred
- Experience in engineering construction, particularly in oil and gas
- Proven history in engineering leadership roles
- Demonstrated involvement in business development and client engagement
- Strong knowledge of UK regulations and industry standards
- Strong leadership and team-building skills
- Strategic thinking and decision-making
- Excellent communication and people skills
- Commercial and contractual awareness
- Proficiency in engineering software and project management tools