Technical director, commissioning

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?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

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.

Primary Objectives

The Technical Director, Commissioning will provide strategic leadership and technical governance for the Commissioning business across all market sectors. The role is responsible for driving technical excellence, quality, innovation, client engagement and growing market presence while ensuring the successful delivery of Commissioning management, Operational Readiness and integrated System Testing Services.

The role requires strong commercial awareness, market presence and leadership capability to support profitable growth, develop strategic client relationships and position the business as a leading provider of commissioning consultancy services.

The Technical Director shall:

• Provide strategic leadership and technical direction for Commissioning Management services across all sectors and regions.
• Act as a recognised subject matter expert and trusted adviser to clients, project teams and stakeholders throughout the entire project lifecycle.
• Lead the development, implementation and continuous improvement of commissioning methodologies, procedures, standards and governance frameworks.
• Ensure technical excellence, quality assurance and consistency in the delivery of commissioning services across all projects.
• Support business growth through client engagement, opportunity identification, proposal support and pursuit leadership.
• Champion innovation and digital transformation within commissioning services, driving efficient and effective project delivery.
• Lead the development of Operational Readiness, Integrated Systems Testing (IST) and Building Performance Validation services.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, accountability and continuous improvement throughout the commissioning business.
• Develop, mentor and inspire commissioning professionals, supporting succession planning and capability development.
• Provide technical oversight of major, complex and high-risk projects, ensuring successful project outcomes and protection of the company's professional reputation.
• Represent the business externally through professional institutions, client forums, conferences, industry working groups and thought leadership activities.
• Align commissioning strategy, technical delivery, resource planning and commercial performance with broader business objectives.

Responsibilities

Responsibility and authority will include and not be limited to:

• Support of Pursuits and Sales in the Commissioning Bus sector.
• Clients / External Relationships.
• Aid in the process of Recruitment and Redundancy.
• Total Quality Assurance.
• Be responsible for developing and/or reviewing technical concept solutions for Commissioning.
• Liaise and support colleagues in the Commissioning sector as requested by the market sector directors.
• Be responsible for supporting Commissioning staff during early development periods on projects.

General Duties

Structure training and succession of the teams to enhance performance and ensure future engineering expertise in Practice. Support the Management Team in running the business and assist in QM and IIP execution. Support the management of the business taking on duties as agreed with the market sector director. Undertake engineering activities on an as needs basis and where appropriate act as support to Project Directors and discipline leaders as required. Ensure No Claims are made on Pl, ensure all technical documents are diligently checked. Interview and recruit new team members. Input and aid development of HDR/in-house technical documents and guides. Carry out third party design audits as necessary. Support to other directors in all fields including and not limited to; sales, resource control, problem solving, design advice.

Specialist Duties

Maintain register and carry out technical audits on projects as required. Ensure IIP accreditation and Quality Management System ISO 9001 and 1401 are enforced, Ensure Health and Safety Policy and Industry Standards are adhered to and enforced.

Reporting - Reports

Commissioning area activities and development. Exceptional items. Project issues. Client issues. Quality management/technical compliance. Health & safety. Future developments and focus.

Meeting Attendance Required

Management Meetings. Business Planning Meetings and Conferences. Business Development Meetings. Group Leader Meetings/Resource Planning. Attend meetings promptly, be prepared for meeting and to have previously carried out all actions. To ensure all meetings are effective and productive.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Degree qualified in Engineering, Building Services Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent recognised professional qualification.
• Minimum 15 years' experience in commissioning, consulting engineering, construction management or operational readiness services.
• Demonstrable experience leading large-scale and complex commissioning programmes.
• Extensive knowledge of Commissioning Management, Operational Readiness and Integrated Systems Testing methodologies.
• Proven experience managing multidisciplinary teams and senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial awareness and business acumen.
• Excellent communication, influencing and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strategic client relationships.

Desirable

• Experience within Data Centres, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Infrastructure, Energy or Mission Critical facilities.
• Experience leading international commissioning programmes.
• Participation in industry committees, technical bodies or professional organisations.
• Experience developing digital commissioning tools and delivery processes.
• Published technical papers, presentations or recognised industry contributions.

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