Associate Director (CEng or CGeol)

Exeter, Devon — with regular travel to the Cornwall office, project sites and clients across the South West and wider UK

Associate Director (CEng or CGeol)

Exeter, Devon — with regular travel to the Cornwall office, project sites and clients across the South West and wider UK

Role overview

Operating as a senior technical and commercial leader within Red Rock Geo, applying extensive geotechnical and geo-environmental experience, alongside well-developed management and commercial skills, to drive the delivery, growth and reputation of the business. The Associate Director provides chartered (CEng or CGeol) technical authority across Red Rock Geo’s core service lines — site investigation, geotechnical design, slope stabilisation, rockfall risk management and contaminated land — while holding commercial and managerial responsibility for a discipline, sector or office, developing client relationships and new business, and mentoring more junior chartered and pre-chartered staff.

Key responsibilities

  • Operate as a senior technical authority across Red Rock Geo’s core service lines: site investigation, geotechnical design, slope stabilisation, rockfall risk management and contaminated land.
  • Hold day-to-day commercial responsibility for a discipline, sector or office, including fee income, profitability and resource utilisation.
  • Deputise for the Director / Group Board Director on client, contractual and operational matters as required.
  • Technically and commercially lead multiple concurrent projects, ranging from single-site investigations to multi-million pound infrastructure, coastal and redevelopment schemes.
  • Build, maintain and grow senior client relationships across the South West and wider UK, securing repeat instructions and framework appointments.
  • Identify, pursue and win new business, including leading complex bids, fee proposals and tender submissions.
  • Line manage and mentor Associates, Principal Geologists and Senior Engineering Geologists, supporting their technical development and progression towards chartership.
  • Act as a focal point for technical quality, checking and approving Desk Studies, Ground Investigation Specifications, Ground Investigation Reports, geotechnical designs and Remediation Strategies prepared by the wider team.
  • Plan, specify and oversee large and complex ground investigation and laboratory testing programmes, including challenging or high-risk sites such as coastal slopes, cliffs and rock faces.
  • Liaise with clients, contractors, regulators and other consultants to develop practical, commercially sound, project-specific solutions.
  • Prepare, review and negotiate contract documents, collateral warranties and consultancy agreements.
  • Contribute to the strategic growth plans of Red Rock Geo and the wider Kingdom & Partners Group, including input on service development, recruitment and sector targeting.
  • Represent Red Rock Geo externally at industry events and with professional institutions, supporting the company’s profile and reputation in the South West market.
  • Ensure all work under their control is delivered safely and in accordance with company Health & Safety policy, checking and approving Health & Safety documentation for site and design works.
  • Support office leadership in Exeter, and as required Cornwall, on resourcing, workload planning and day-to-day operational matters.
  • Monitor project and team performance against budget, programme and quality targets, taking corrective action where required.
  • Maintain Chartered status (CEng or CGeol) and actively contribute to the technical standing and reputation of the practice.
  • Promote and embed company values, standards and procedures across the team, and behave in accordance with them at all times.

About you

Person-Specific Criteria Essential Desirable
Qualifications and Training
BSc or MSci (or equivalent) in Geology, Engineering Geology, Civil Engineering or a related discipline.

✓
Chartered Geologist (CGeol) or Chartered Engineer (CEng).

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Full UK Driving Licence.

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MSc in Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering or similar.

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CSCS Card.

✓
SSSTS or SMSTS.

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Fellow of the Geological Society (FGS) or equivalent senior professional standing.

✓
Experience, Knowledge and Skills
Extensive senior-level experience in geotechnical and geo-environmental consultancy, including direct delivery of site investigation, geotechnical design, slope stabilisation and/or contaminated land projects.

✓
A proven track record of technically and commercially leading projects from inception through to completion.

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Strong commercial acumen, including budget management, fee negotiation and project/team profitability.

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Demonstrable success in business development, including winning new clients and growing existing accounts.

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Experience line managing, developing and mentoring senior technical staff.

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Excellent ability to check, approve and stand behind technical outputs prepared by others.

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A strong understanding of UK ground conditions, with particular relevance to South West geology, including coastal and cliff environments.

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Experience preparing and negotiating commercial contracts, collateral warranties and consultancy agreements.

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Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the company credibly to senior clients and stakeholders.

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A proactive approach to the health and safety of themselves and others, with a strong working knowledge of relevant regulations and industry standards.

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The ability to organise their own work, manage competing priorities and lead others effectively.

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Willingness to travel across the South West, including to the Cornwall office, and further afield as required.

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Experience across multiple Red Rock Geo service lines: site investigation, geotechnical design, slope stabilisation, rockfall risk and contaminated land.

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An existing client or professional network within the South West construction, infrastructure or development sector.

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Experience contributing to office or company-level strategy, budgeting or growth planning.

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Familiarity with industry-standard geotechnical and CAD software.

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Experience of coastal, cliff or rock slope environments.

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A self-starter who displays a ‘can do’ attitude and is comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy.

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