Project Director​/Area Market Leader

Project Director/Area Market Sector Leader (190331)

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves:
What is our impact on the world?

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience.

We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next‑generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

In the role of MEP Director, you will be required to effectively manage the operations of an MEP team principally based within the London office, whilst liaising closely with the lead directors for Building Structures and Civils Group, Sustainability, and other relevant disciplines and specialisms. You’ll be expected to be a focused, goal‑minded individual and a natural connector of people.

In addition to the management of the MEP team on a day-to-day basis you will be required to advise on and manage recruitment needs, training, development and retention needs, together with input and review of project bids and QA/QC processes. In addition, carry out Sales and Business development activities actively to support business growth and to ensure projects are delivered technically correct and on time, whilst maintaining the target profit level.

Promote cross selling amongst the disciplines and liaise with other Senior Directors and report directly to the Office Principal with regards all commercial and staffing matters.

Actively manage the MEP team with regards to utilisation, project deployment, training needs, etc. carry out APC reviews for direct reports and provide guidance to the wider team as required.

Manage recruitment and other resource level requirements within the team in conjunction with other senior leadership to accord with current and upcoming project work.

• Provide positive and effective management and set an example to other members of the team.
• Encourage project team engineers to a high level of performance. And mentoring as required.
• Promote active collaboration with clients and design teams.
• Report any performance problems that cannot be resolved locally.
• Undertake staff Personal Development Plans and APC activities.

• Assist the MEP Project Leads (‘HDR Project Manager’) with regards project performance, (Technical, Programme and Commercial) within the MEP team.
• You will be required to assist the Project Leads who are ultimately accountable to ensure all disciplines falling under the MEP scope are fully co‑ordinated, technically correct, to the required level of quality and commercially managed to ensure the project costs and revenue drive the profit targets for the project.
• For larger and complex projects, you may be required to be the Project Lead and HDR Project Manager responsible for successful management and delivery of the project.

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