Technical Lead - Highways

Role Summary

As the Technical Lead, you will be at the forefront of creating engineering marvels and leading a team of technical experts. Your key responsibilities will include (but not limited to):

• Leading, inspiring, and managing a high-performing team of engineers and technicians.
• Leading the technical aspects of road projects.
• Developing innovative solutions that push the boundaries of engineering.
• Provide Engineering support and technical guidance for roads design and associated design activities.
• Supervising and monitoring engineers for various surveys and roads designs as required.
• Ensuring compliance with the relevant UK technical standards (DMRB, MCHW, BS codes, etc.)
• Ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.
• Provide support about demolition, site clearance, road and sewer infrastructure works, utilities, external works, and other construction related matters.
• Maintain technical support to all regional departments/discipline leads in India and the UK.
• Build and nurture client relationships, enhance technical skills, and drive business growth.

•    Project management and Commercial governance – project reviews; forecasting and resource management

•     Technical governance of the Highways teams output working with UK technical governance of all deliverables 

•    Liaising with project managers you will play a key role in both managing technical input to our projects and ensuring that deliverables are appropriate and fit for purpose. Ensuring client satisfaction and providing support in the production of outputs, as required

•     Supporting the UK with bidding opportunities

•     Line Manager – PDRs, promotion, training & mentoring.

•     Staff/Team Development – support, training, nurturing.

The technical Lead will work closely with the UK Technical Leadership Group (TLG) - UK iCRC SBU Head, UK iCRC Head, Operations Director, Reginal Directors, Project Directors, Project Managers, Technical Directors, and the Business Development team across the T&I Strategic Business Unit (and wider WSP UK / global business).

Responsibilities

Project management, technical leadership, and timely delivery of technical outputs from inception to completion with a range of internal UK colleagues including:

•     Act as the ‘technical face’ of the India-based roads team

•     Local health and safety, welfare, risk, information security, and assessment/compliance

•     Project, programme and financial management

•     Promote WSP Vision and Values

•     Actively promote the UK iCRC culture within the team and ensure that the staff deliver on promises

•     Interfacing with multi-disciplinary project teams

•      Manage the team and processes to ensure the preparation and checking of documents, reports and other technical outputs/deliverables from a variety of roads related disciplines meet internal and client requirements and quality assurance standards.

•     Provide highly visible, inspirational leadership and direction for the iCRC Highways team and ensuring that it is aligned with the wider UK business

• Lead to prepare design solutions and develop methodologies, technical reports for various design stages for roads projects
• Manage consultants in the preparation of design of alignments, junctions, public -realm, active travel infrastructure designs
• Monitor and resolve any road design issues
• Manage and co-ordinate remediation strategies and ensure regulatory approvals are obtained
• Ensure all information is available for Pre-Start Meetings
• Ensure all engineering drawings for start on site including standard construction details for road infrastructure and any remediation proposals.
• Secure necessary technical approval for roads and other relevant designs
• Provide all utility drawings of existing, proposed and diversions including obtaining information from utility providers as per NRSWA guidance.
• Obtain signs and road marking designs and work associated with the temporary traffic management process.

•     Mentoring team members towards professional accreditation or equivalent

•     Recruitment to achieve budgeted and programmed team growth

•    Monitor and review team capability in the use of the required standards, processes and software tools and, with technical colleagues, identify training required

•    Identify opportunities to upskill existing technical resources or recruit new capabilities to deliver additional services or enhance existing ones

•     Identify further skills that could be brought into the iCRC to deliver additional services or enhancements to various businesses

•     Promote the team's achievements within the team, roads, WSP UK and the wider business via targeted profile-raising activities

•     Ensuring that the Business Management System is implemented and maintained

•     Seek regular feedback on team performances, ensure criticisms are positively converted into opportunities for improvement

•     Develop / maintain excellent relationships ensuring repeat business and client satisfaction, internally and externally 

•     Contribution to bids and marketing material

•     Contribute to the design of operational processes, systems, quality measurement processes and achievement of KPIs

•     Ensure process and governance such that all projects comply with Health and Safety, CDM and Quality Assurance Standards.

• Collate Pre-Construction Information Packs and Information for Health And Safety Plans.
• Understand the Designers responsibilities under the latest CDM regulations.
• Undertake the Principal Designer Role
• Must undertake continuous professional development.

•     Carry out audits of adherence to WSP Management and Quality processes and implement corrective measures where required

Client / External focus

•     Maintain strong colleague relationships and contribute to the teams’ performance of client satisfaction

•     Contribute to knowledge sharing in internal and external forums and including technical input to your team

•     Remain up to date with market and competitor knowledge across the SBU

Key Competencies / Skills

Mandatory skills

•     You should be able to demonstrate a proven working knowledge of the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) and Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works (MCDHW) in relation to Highway projects and experience of at least 12+ years in UK highway design

•     Track record of senior technical experience in at least one Highways/roads discipline.

•     Excellent communication, internal client handling, interpersonal skills and listening skills with the ability to influence and interact with people.

• Excellent knowledge of road design software (Open Roads, Civil 3D, AutoCAD and MicroStation), MS  and office.

•     Comfortable leading internal engineering discussions and the experience and ability to understand, evaluate and explain complex technical issues to both technical and non-technical professionals

•     Technical manager with management acumen and strong leadership skills

•     A hard-working self-starter with initiative and ability to work within a team environment

•     Understand own strengths and impact, adapting behaviors according to different situations and individuals

•    Able to work effectively under pressure and Open-minded and intellectually agile

•     Act ethically with fairness, honesty and integrity

•     Successful track record of delivery of large detail design projects in the roads sector within the context of a professional services provider

•     You should have demonstrable experience of resource and project management

•     You will be aware of current and emerging technologies relevant to the highways sector

•     Experience of liaison with clients, co-professionals, and design teams

•     Excellent written and verbal communication skills and with time management and strong organizational skills

Qualifications

•   Educated to Bachelor / master’s degree level in a Highways related discipline such as Civil Engineering.

•     Chartered Engineer status of a recognised professional institution (e.g. ICE, CIHT) is preferred.

• Substantial experience in managing large-scale structural projects.

•     Seasoned professional with at least 12 years’ experience in design, project management, project delivery or in leadership in a consulting engineering environment.

• A passion for staying ahead of industry trends and technological advancements.