Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
A head of structures leads an organisation’s structural engineering discipline: setting technical direction, protecting design quality, developing engineers, and helping projects get delivered with the right people and resources. In a construction company, the role may also include client, budget, and business responsibilities. The exact balance depends on the employer and region, and the title alone does not mean the person signs off every design or holds a statutory appointment.
What does a head of structures do?
A head of structures is usually the senior leader responsible for how structural engineering work is planned, staffed, reviewed, and developed across a company or business unit. The position connects technical practice with team leadership and project delivery. In some organisations, the head also works on commercial matters such as budgets, fees, client relationships, and business development.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIt is a leadership role, not one standard job description. The person might oversee a discipline team across several offices, lead a regional buildings group, or manage a broader civil and structural function. The amount of hands-on design work varies too: one employer may expect the head to review calculations and design details, while another may rely on project engineers for detailed design and have the head focus on oversight, resources, and quality.
For example, Aon’s Australian position description covers civil as well as structural engineering, with responsibilities spanning projects such as earthworks, roads, dams, drainage, water supply, and buildings. By contrast, COWI’s Denmark vacancy describes a structures discipline team, while Ramboll’s Middle East Buildings listing combines structures leadership with regional business and project responsibilities. These are useful examples of the role’s range, not a universal template: Aon’s position description, COWI’s vacancy, and Ramboll’s Middle East Buildings listing.
Popular on Amazon
- Ergonomically Designed: Work in tight areas with a compact design that gets into tough spots
- Both tools are designed to fit into difficult to reach spaces
- Complete a wide range of applications with a high-performance motor that delivers up to 300 UWO, and an impact driver delivering up to 1,400 in-lbs of torque
- Both the DEWALT impact driver and drill driver feature integrated LED work lights with a convenient 20-second delay, ensuring enhanced visibility in dimly lit or challenging work areas
- One-Handed Loading - Keep one hand free with a 1/4 in. hex chuck that accepts 1 in. bit tips
Which responsibilities usually sit with the role?
The central responsibility is to make sure structural engineering work is technically sound, appropriately resourced, and delivered in a way that serves project and business needs. How that is achieved differs by company, but the work commonly falls into five connected areas.
1. Set technical direction and safeguard quality
The head establishes or applies design practices, guides complex engineering decisions, and checks that work follows its scope and applicable requirements. Depending on the team structure, this may mean personally reviewing key calculations, drawings, or other deliverables, or ensuring that suitable review processes and competent reviewers are in place. The role is not automatically the author or checker of every design: those responsibilities need to be clear in the project’s actual allocation of work.
Aon’s Australian framework explicitly includes procedures for compliance and project scope. Ramboll’s listing describes project reviews, design quality, and knowledge of buildability and construction techniques. Together, these examples show why technical leadership is broader than simply producing a design: it includes making sure that the team’s approach and outputs are fit for the work it has agreed to do.
2. Build and manage the engineering team
A head plans workload, allocates staff, supports training and mentoring, and develops the competence the organisation needs. That involves matching people to projects, noticing capacity or skills gaps, and helping staff share knowledge and work consistently. The leader may manage day-to-day work directly or coordinate team leads across offices and business units.
Team size depends on the organisation. COWI’s Denmark vacancy describes approximately 20 structural engineers across three office locations and a wider structural engineering group of approximately 60 employees. Those figures describe the team in that listing only; they are not a standard size for a head-of-structures function. COWI’s role description also emphasizes competence development, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.
Also popular on Amazon
- Valued Carpenter Pencil Set: You will get 2 pcs solid carpenter pencils with 26 piece 2.8 mm refills, 1 replaceable sharpener, 1 plastic storage box.The complete carpenter pencils combination allows you to finish your work faster and more easily
- Deep Hole Marker Pencil: The deep-hole construction pencils adopts 45mm elongated tip design, which is more convenient to mark in the small hole or in other tight areas that other carpenter markers cannot reach
- Carpenter Pencils with Sharpener: The sharpener is screwed into the top of the work pencil, which won't get lost either. Built-in pencil sharpener that keep the lead with pointed and smooth to Improves line of sight in fine work
- Stronger Solid Lead: This work pencil is matched with a 2.8 mm thick lead , which is much thicker and stronger during the drawing process of construction work, it will not break or damage easily
- Marks on Various Surfaces: 3 colors solid construction pencil can marks on various surfaces,such as metal, plastic, wood, paper etc. Ideals for woodworkers, contractors, craftsmen, builders, merchants and masons
3. Coordinate structural work with project delivery
Structural work is one part of a project involving other disciplines and stakeholders. The head may help coordinate its progress and quality with project managers, architects, other engineers, clients, contractors, and, where relevant to the work, authorities. When technical issues, workload conflicts, or delivery risks arise, the head can help resolve them or ensure they reach the right decision-maker.
Recommended Free Tools
This does not mean the head personally manages every site activity or every project. A project manager, design manager, contractor, or project engineer may hold those day-to-day responsibilities. The head’s contribution is more often discipline-wide oversight, coordination, and support for the people responsible for the individual project.
4. Manage client and commercial responsibilities
Some heads of structures have responsibilities beyond engineering delivery. In a consultancy, those can include maintaining client relationships, contributing to proposals, supporting business development, and monitoring fees, budgets, profitability, or cash flow. Aon’s Australian description includes budget preparation and variance management; Ramboll’s Middle East listing includes job profitability, cash flow, client service, and business development.
These duties are not universal. A head in a role centred on technical leadership may have limited direct commercial ownership, while a regional or business-unit leader may be accountable for a broader financial picture. Ask whether the position owns a budget or sales target, advises on it, or has no such responsibility; the job title alone does not answer that.
5. Represent the discipline in business planning
At a senior level, the head may translate organisational strategy into team priorities, improve procedures, support collaboration between offices, or contribute to regional leadership. COWI’s listing describes aligning discipline priorities with company strategy. Ramboll’s describes participation in regional leadership and business direction. This work can shape what capabilities a team develops and how it supports the organisation’s project portfolio.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【Great Compatibility】This Katerk 1/4 inch hex shank bit holder is specifically designed for 1/4 inch hex shank drill bits. It's compatible with most 1/4 fast hex handles, hex sockets, various electric screwdrivers, and handheld screwdrivers. The bit holder makes it a valuable addition for any handyman.
- 【Secure and Safe】Built with a secure backup nut design, each drill bit holder securely locks onto your bits, ensuring they stay firmly in place. Additionally, our bit holder incorporates a high-quality steel ball rolling design that holds up to several kilograms of weight, ensuring your various drill bits don't fall off.
- 【Easy One-Handed Operation】The bit holder for impact driver allows you to change bits single-handedly, simplifying your workflow. Its multi-color design further allows for quick identification of the drill bit you need.
- 【Compact and Convenient】Thanks to its compact size, this 1/4 inch bit holder is easy to carry around. The bit holder allows for easy attachment to various tools, making this a convenient addition to your construction accessories. The Katerk bit holder is cast from high-quality alloy material, promising a long product lifespan. Despite its rugged strength, the bit holder remains lightweight, making it portable.
- 【Cool Christmas Gift For Men Stocking Stuffers】 This screwdriver bit holder, driver bit holder, impact bit holder, can be given as a gift to your loved one, especially for anyone involved in construction or electrical work. It's a must-have for stocking stuffers for men and women, tools gifts for dad, tech gadgets for men, gifts for dad, gifts for him, gifts for husband, gifts for boyfriend, cool gadgets for men, and cool gifts for dad.
How does the role vary between companies?
The job depends on what the organisation builds or designs, how it is structured, and where the position sits in its leadership chain. A broad civil/structural department and a buildings structures team do not necessarily have the same project mix or authority. Nor does every company use the word “head” at the same organisational level.
Aon’s April 2022 Australian description places a Head of Civil / Structural Engineering in a senior function-leadership role reporting to the CEO in that particular framework. It includes coordinating with other engineering leads and drafting, allocating people and physical resources, maintaining client and contractor relationships, and preparing a budget. This provides a concrete example of a broad function head; it does not establish that heads of structures generally report to a CEO.
COWI’s Denmark vacancy presents a discipline-leadership emphasis: translating strategy into priorities, developing staff, maintaining technical quality across projects, and improving collaboration across offices and business units. Ramboll’s Middle East Buildings listing combines team development and design review with client service, project delivery, health, safety and environment (HSE), financial performance, BIM delivery, and regional business leadership. Each listing reflects a particular employer’s needs, not a checklist every role must contain.
When comparing two job descriptions, look for the actual scope: which projects and offices the role covers; whether it leads a discipline, region, or whole engineering function; who reports to it; how much project design or checking it performs; and whether it owns commercial targets. Those details are more informative than the title alone.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →How is a head of structures different from a structural project engineer?
A structural project engineer is generally focused on delivering engineering work for a particular project or set of projects. A head of structures is more likely to lead the discipline or function across projects, managing capability, technical consistency, resources, and, in some organisations, clients and business performance. The distinction is about scope and accountability, not a guaranteed difference in seniority or authority under every company’s title system.
Also popular on Amazon
- Toolwiz 17-inch magnetic sweeper maintaining a load capacity of up to 8.8 pounds provides a perfect solution to the problem of clearing small ferrous metal objects, such as nails, tacks, bolts, and metal shavings from workshops or garage floors.
- Convenient and portable：17” is good for home, small workshop, or small yard as it is space-saving and more reachable for narrow areas. Perfect for collecting nails or small parts in the car, under the table, and in other nooks or crannies.
- Upgraded Handle Design: The handle features a sturdy, non-telescopic design to completely prevent slipping during use. By simply adding or removing the extension poles, the height can be adjusted to 3 different lengths: 18.9" (48 cm), 32.5" (82.5 cm), and 42.5" (108 cm) from ground to top. This customizable height helps prevent back bending and muscle strain, making your cleaning tasks effortless
- Flexible wheels: Upgrade wheel screws to avoid being too tight to spin or too loose. More comfortable 3-inch rubber wheels roll smoothly on carpet, grass, concrete, and hardwood floors. Just push and pull this rolling magnet-sweeper to pick up metal nails easily.
- Lightweight materials: The magnetic nail sweeper's compact and lightweight design makes the sweeping can be done anywhere you want, Push or pull it under the furniture, passing through the workshop floor, driveway, mud, grass, and gravel.
| Area | Head of structures | Structural project engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Typical scope | Discipline, function, region, or team across multiple projects | Engineering delivery within a project or assigned work package |
| People and resources | May set workload, allocate staff, and develop team capability | Usually focuses on the assigned project team and technical tasks |
| Technical work | Sets or oversees practices and may review complex or project deliverables | Develops project design work and associated technical outputs |
| Commercial and client work | May contribute to budgets, proposals, client relationships, and business planning | Usually centres on the project’s engineering scope; responsibilities vary |
| Approval authority | Must be verified for the specific role and jurisdiction | Must also be verified for the specific role and jurisdiction |
This comparison describes a common division of focus, not a legal or contractual rule. A smaller company may combine several functions in one person; a larger one may separate discipline leadership, project engineering, and project management more distinctly. Aon’s hierarchy and the COWI and Ramboll examples support the broad distinction, but local titles and delegations still matter.
Does the head of structures sign off every design?
No—not on the strength of the title alone. A head may have a technical review or approval role, but the sources describe organisational and technical responsibilities rather than a universal legal status for this job title. The person’s design, checking, or approval obligations must be established from the relevant project and jurisdiction.
To identify who is accountable for a particular design, check the project’s written responsibility matrix, design or checking appointments, contract documents, and any applicable registration or building requirements. Confirm who prepared the work, who independently checked it, who has authority to approve or issue it, and whether a named statutory role applies. A management title cannot substitute for that verification.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
This distinction matters because technical oversight and formal sign-off are related but not identical. A head can be responsible for making sure suitable quality processes operate without personally approving each calculation or drawing. Conversely, a particular employer or project may delegate specific review or approval duties to the head. The delegation, not an assumption based on title, determines the answer.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What qualifications and experience are usually expected?
The reviewed role descriptions point to an engineering degree, substantial structural or civil/structural experience, technical credibility, and demonstrated leadership or management ability. They do not establish one universal degree pathway, professional registration requirement, or years-of-experience threshold for every country and employer.
Also popular on Amazon
- APPLY TO MOST DRILLS : 6 pieces screw extractors work with any drill and all the screw size or bolt (3-12mm), These extractor tools are used to reverse the damaged screw counterclockwise until it is released
- The DIY Tools for Men-Men won't know they need screw extractor set until they have one! This screw extractor set is GIFTS WRAP AVAILABLE, can be gifted to your loved ones as it reflects a fresh trend with fun and practical. Amazing and Unique tool gifts for men women. The must have stocking stuffers for men, gifts for dad, husband, father, him, guy teens, adult, Boyfriend, son on Birthdays, Christmas, Fathers Day or anniversary. Perfect Holiday Gifts Guide
- HIGH QUALITY - This damaged screw remover tool kit is made from High-Speed Steel H.S.S 4341# , which have high hardness of 63hrc, it's durable and easily to remove any damaged screws.
- EASY TO USE: Just two simple steps to get the job done - drill a hole with a cutting size using the right size screw extractor and easily remove the screw or bolt using the removal tool Hardness 63-65HRC: Titanium hardened steel material, more durable than most screw extractors on the market, better hardness and durability than others, buy with confidence and complete peace of mind
- Cool Gadgets for Men Dad Christmas Birthday Gifts for Men and Women - Men won't know they need screw extractor sets until they have one! Every screw has the potential to rust and break, which can create a situation where it cannot be removed. Owning it, there will be no anxiety about rusty screws. This screw extractor set is GIFTS WRAP AVAILABLE, can be gifted to your loved ones as it reflects a fresh trend with fun and practical. Amazing and unique tool gifts for men women. A must have stocking stuffer for men on birthdays, Christmas, Father's Day or anniversaries, a gifts for dads, husbands, fathers, him, adults, boyfriends, sons. The best and most practical and surprising Christmas gifts
The experience requirements in the examples vary substantially. Aon’s Australian description says a person in its Head of Civil / Structural Engineering position would usually be a seasoned engineer with over 10 years’ experience. COWI’s Denmark vacancy specifies a minimum of eight years in building design and construction, alongside leadership experience. Ramboll’s particular Middle East Buildings listing asks for at least 20 years. Those figures refer to different posts and contexts; they should not be converted into a general industry rule.
For a candidate, the useful question is not only “How many years?” but also “What kind of responsibility?” A role may expect evidence of design review, developing engineers, coordinating delivery, managing client relationships, or handling budgets. Read the advertised scope and requirements together: seniority is signalled by the decisions and accountability the employer assigns, not a number of years alone.
What should a construction company clarify when defining the position?
A clear role description should separate discipline leadership from project responsibilities and state where technical and commercial accountability sit. That helps the head, project teams, clients, and contractors know who makes which decisions.
- Scope: Is the role for structural engineering only, civil and structural engineering, buildings, infrastructure, a region, or the full organisation?
- Reporting line: Which executive or business-unit leader does the head report to, and which discipline or project leads report into the function?
- Design involvement: Is the head expected to design, check, review, approve, or oversee processes—and for which deliverables?
- People leadership: Which staff and offices are in scope, and what authority does the role have to allocate resources or address capability gaps?
- Project interfaces: How does the head work with project managers, other engineering disciplines, architects, contractors, and clients?
- Commercial remit: Does the post own budgets, fees, profitability, cash flow, proposals, or business development, or merely contribute to them?
- Formal authority: Are any design, checking, statutory, or contract responsibilities delegated in writing, and what jurisdictional requirements apply?
These questions turn a broad title into workable boundaries. They also help prevent an organisation from assuming that a discipline leader automatically owns every technical or project decision associated with structural work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a head of structures work on site?
The title alone does not establish a site-based role. The cited descriptions focus on engineering leadership, reviews, coordination, and delivery; whether the post includes regular site presence depends on the employer’s projects and stated duties.
Is a head of structures the same as a chief structural engineer?
Not necessarily. Organisations use senior engineering titles differently: Aon’s 2023 description of a Chief Civil / Structural Engineer is an adjacent role, but that does not make the titles interchangeable. Compare the reporting line, scope, and delegated responsibilities in the specific job description.
How many engineers report to a head of structures?
There is no standard team size established by the cited material. One COWI Denmark vacancy describes approximately 20 structural engineers across three offices and a wider group of approximately 60, but that is specific to that organisation.
Can someone become a head of structures without 20 years of experience?
The cited examples show different thresholds: COWI’s Denmark role lists eight years in building design and construction, while Ramboll’s Middle East Buildings post asks for 20. Employers set role-specific expectations, so neither figure is a universal minimum.
