Associate Director – Structural Engineer  

About Structa

At Structa our purpose is “to develop and harness our engineering expertise, to create a sustainable legacy for those who construct and inhabit the built environment.” We are a multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy, working for private and public sector clients, on projects ranging from bespoke homes through to major regeneration and new housing schemes for leading housebuilders and commercial clients.

We were founded in 2004 and have grown into a team of around 40 engineers, technicians and business support staff across three UK offices. Our partners are hands-on, our teams are close-knit, and our 80% repeat business reflects how much our clients value our work.

Each year we invest in developing our people at every level — from graduates through to senior professionals — because building and retaining a broad, talented team has been central to our plans from the very beginning.

The opportunity

Structa LLP is seeking an Associate Director to join our Hemel Hempstead office. This is a senior appointment, and a replacement hire, and we are looking for an experienced and technically well-rounded structural engineer who is ready to operate at a high level of autonomy across technical delivery, client management, and team leadership.

You will work closely with the Partner and Business Unit Leader and alongside a second Associate Director, collectively managing the delivery of structural engineering services from the Hemel Hempstead office. The role carries real influence over the shape and direction of the team — how work is managed, how clients are looked after, and how the next generation of engineers is developed.

Our sector remit is deliberately broad: new build and refurbishment, residential, healthcare, commercial and industrial. We value engineers who bring depth in one area alongside the curiosity and capability to work across others.

The role

Technical leadership and delivery

• Lead the delivery of structural engineering commissions across a wide range of building types, materials and project scales
• Act as the senior technical lead on complex or high-value projects, providing design oversight and quality assurance across the team’s output
• Carry out and oversee structural design, analysis, calculations, reports and drawings to current UK codes and standards
• Provide peer review and technical mentoring to engineers and technicians within the team

Project and commercial management

• Take responsibility for the delivery of projects within agreed programmes, budgets and fee levels
• Manage fee agreements, scope changes and cost reporting on commissions
• Coordinate inputs from multidisciplinary teams and manage subconsultant and team resources effectively
• Contribute to the preparation of fee proposals and the management of client appointments

Client relationships

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with existing clients and develop new ones
• Act as a senior point of contact on commissions, managing client expectations and communications with confidence
• Represent Structa at client meetings, design team meetings and, where appropriate, industry events

Team and business unit management

• Play an active role in managing the Hemel Hempstead structural engineering team alongside the Partner and the other Associate Director
• Support workload planning, resource allocation and staff development across the team
• Contribute to recruitment, appraisals and internal processes as appropriate
• Help to shape the culture, standards and working practices of the business unit

About you

Qualification and professional standing

• Chartered structural engineer — MIStructE or MICE (or equivalent)
• Degree in civil or structural engineering

Technical experience 

• Significant post-chartership experience in structural engineering design, at a level commensurate with an Associate Director appointment
• Demonstrable strength across new build and refurbishment project types, including residential — experience with volume housebuilders is valued
• Broad sector exposure across healthcare, commercial and industrial development is an advantage
• Experience in the assessment and appraisal of existing building structures is also advantageous
• Confident working knowledge of UK design codes and standards (Eurocodes, BS standards, NHBC requirements, Building Regulations, etc.)

Commercial and professional skills

• Experience of managing projects commercially — fee monitoring, resource planning and delivery against programme
• Ability to contribute to fee proposals, manage client appointments and handle scope discussions with clients directly
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear technical reports and client correspondence

Client-facing experience

• Experience of managing client relationships at a senior level and acting as a primary point of contact on commissions
• An existing network of professional contacts is an advantage, but is not a requirement
• Comfortable representing a practice externally, attending design team meetings and contributing to business development activity

Personal attributes

• A collaborative and supportive team player, able to work effectively within a close-knit office environment
• High levels of personal integrity, professionalism and attention to quality
• Organised and confident managing competing priorities and deadlines across a portfolio of projects
• Ambitious, with an interest in developing leadership skills and taking on increasing responsibility over time
• Aligned with Structa’s values of technical excellence, client focus and long-term professional relationship

Why join Structa

We are a collaborative consultancy with a strong focus on technical quality, professional development and long-term progression. We also believe experienced engineers deserve specifics, not the usual vague promises of “competitive packages” and “career development.” Here is what that actually means with us.

How we develop and reward our senior engineers

• Transparent salary bands — linked to structured annual reviews, so you always know where you sit and what the next step looks like.
• Clear progression pathways — with defined role competency and performance attributes — no opaque promotion processes.
• Technical environment — working alongside experienced partners and engineers with a genuine commitment to quality and peer review.
• Professional subscriptions — paid, and continued CPD supported across the practice.

The wider package

• Salary — £69,000 – £79,000, depending on experience.
• Flexible working — 3 days in the office and 2 days from home if desired.
• Core hours — 10am to 4pm, with flexibility around them.
• Annual leave — 25 days plus public holidays, rising by 2 days at 5 years’ service and a further 2 days at 10 years.
• Buy and sell holiday — flex your leave by buying or selling between 1 and 5 days.
• Pension — a workplace pension with Aviva; we match your contributions up to 5% (you can contribute more if you wish).
• Healthcare cash plan — cover for you and dependent children up to 18, with cashback on dental, optical and other treatments and access to scans, diagnostics and therapies.
• Life assurance — financial protection for your family of 4× your basic annual salary.
• Employee Assistance Programme — confidential advice and support across the many areas of life we all navigate.
• Social events — in the summer and at Christmas.