Timber Development UK
Technical Manager – Timber Design, Engineering & Construction
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Company Description
Timber Development UK (TDUK) is the largest and most comprehensive timber supply chain body in the UK. Formed through the merger of the Timber Trade Federation (TTF) and the Timber Research and Development Association (TRADA), two long-established organisations in the timber supply chain, we represent stakeholders from sawmill to specifier and every stage in between.
TDUK provides guidance, standards, knowledge and support across the sector, helping to advance timber knowledge, promote responsible sourcing and support innovation in the use of timber for construction and design.
Our position across the entire timber supply chain gives us a unique role in connecting technical knowledge, research and standards with practical industry application.
About the Role
We are looking to strengthen the technical capacity of our team, particularly around timber design, engineering and construction, to meet the increasing demand for authoritative technical knowledge from our membership and the wider AEC (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) sector.
As Technical Manager – Timber Design, Engineering & Construction, you will be a senior technical authority within TDUK, helping shape the organisation's technical position and influencing how timber is designed, specified and used across the UK construction sector.
You will work at the intersection of technical standards, research, engineering, regulation and practical industry application. You will oversee technical projects, develop authoritative industry guidance, provide expert support to members and specifiers, and help TDUK respond to evolving regulatory and technical issues.
This is an opportunity for an experienced technical professional to have influence beyond individual projects – helping shape industry understanding and practice across the timber sector.
The role can be considered on either a full-time or part-time basis, depending on the experience and availability of the successful candidate. TDUK operates a hybrid working arrangement, combining office-based and home working.
Core Responsibilities
Technical Guidance & Content
- Oversee and manage the development of TDUK's technical publications and resources, including Timber Knowledge Sheets, design guidance and digital learning resources, working closely with the editorial and content teams.
- Ensure that technical outputs are accurate, authoritative, evidence-based and practical for their intended audiences.
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Technical Leadership & Advisory Board
- Manage and run the affairs of the TDUK Technical Advisory Board, ensuring that the forum effectively represents the wider membership and brings together relevant industry expertise to inform TDUK's technical priorities and outputs.
Building Safety, Standards & Regulation
- Help equip TDUK members, engineers, architects and specifiers with the technical knowledge required to design and deliver projects in accordance with current UK Building Regulations, Building Safety requirements and relevant structural and construction standards.
- Monitor developments in standards, regulation, research and industry practice, identifying issues and opportunities where TDUK can provide leadership or guidance.
Member Support & Technical Advice
- Provide timely, high-level technical guidance in response to member enquiries across the timber supply chain. Where appropriate, draw on wider industry expertise to develop robust and practical responses to complex technical issues.
- Assist TDUK in developing responses to government consultations, proposed regulatory changes and other technical or policy developments affecting timber.
Research, Projects & Industry Knowledge
- Lead and contribute to technical research and development projects, interpreting research and technical evidence and translating it into practical guidance for industry.
- Help research, inform and structure technical content for national conferences, working groups, training and other educational activities.
- Represent TDUK at relevant technical meetings, industry forums, conferences and other external events, building relationships with technical experts and organisations across the sector.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for an experienced technical professional with the judgement, curiosity and communication skills to operate as a trusted technical authority within TDUK.
You will ideally have:
- Significant technical experience within timber, construction, building materials or a closely related field, with an understanding of the wider construction and design process.
- Strong knowledge of timber design, construction, relevant standards and regulatory requirements. Knowledge of the Eurocode 5 framework and UK structural design standards would be particularly valuable.
- The ability to interpret technical research, standards, data and engineering information, and translate complex material into clear, practical and authoritative guidance.
- Experience leading technical projects, research activities, working groups or small technical teams.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to form an informed technical view when dealing with complex or evolving issues.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate confidently with engineers, architects, specifiers, manufacturers, contractors and other industry stakeholders.
- The confidence to represent TDUK externally and build productive relationships with technical experts and industry organisations.
- A relevant technical degree or professional qualification in engineering, architecture, materials science, construction or a related discipline is desirable.
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Experience with timber engineering calculations, design software or technical design practice would be valuable, but we are particularly interested in candidates who can combine strong technical understanding with sound professional judgement and the ability to turn technical knowledge into practical industry guidance.
Why TDUK?
This is not simply a project management or technical support role. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to influence how timber is understood, designed and used across the UK construction sector.
You will work alongside leading technical specialists and industry organisations, helping TDUK identify emerging technical issues, develop authoritative guidance and ensure that good technical knowledge is translated into better industry practice.
For the right candidate, this is an opportunity to move beyond the delivery of individual projects and contribute to the development of the wider timber sector.
How to Apply
To apply, you can do so directly via LinkedIn, or arrange an informal conversation about the role by emailing applications@timberdevelopment.uk to set up a call.
We would be happy to have an initial conversation with prospective candidates who would like to understand more about the role before applying.
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