Flood Risk Lead

Own the market, the customers and the development of AI-powered flood risk review software.

Location: Hybrid or office-based, with options in the South of England
Reporting to: Commercial Director
Package: Competitive basic salary, commission and equity participation

About the opportunity

Civil engineering underpins essential infrastructure, from roads, bridges and flood defences to water and wastewater networks. Yet assessing the risks associated with new developments and infrastructure projects remains a time-consuming and resource-intensive process.

Flood risk professionals can spend days or weeks researching information, reviewing technical documents and preparing assessments. With increasing workloads and limited resources, there is a growing need for technology that can help engineers and planning authorities make informed decisions more efficiently.

An innovative, early-stage technology business is developing AI-powered software designed to transform how civil engineering assessments are researched, reviewed and delivered. Combining AI with engineering expertise, the platform aims to significantly reduce the time required to complete technical reviews while maintaining the accuracy, transparency and audit trail required for decisions affecting the built environment.

The business has already secured paying customers, demonstrated substantial efficiency improvements through its platform and attracted industry recognition for its work.

With the technology gaining traction, it is now looking for a Founding Flood Risk Lead to take ownership of its flood risk market, develop customer relationships and help shape the next stage of its growth.

The role

This is a broad, commercially focused position combining business development, customer success, technical expertise and product ownership.

You will be responsible for winning new customers, helping them realise the benefits of the software and working closely with the development team to determine how the product evolves. The role brings these responsibilities together deliberately: the person closest to the customer will have a direct influence on what the business sells and builds.

Your primary customers will be Local Lead Flood Authorities (LLFAs) and other public-sector organisations responsible for reviewing flood risk assessments and drainage strategies associated with planning applications. You will also support relationships with engineering consultancies that produce these assessments.

You will be hands-on from day one, with the opportunity to build and lead a specialist team as the business expands.

What you will do

Sales and business development

• Own revenue and commercial growth. Develop new business across LLFAs, the Environment Agency, SuDS Approving Bodies, Internal Drainage Boards and other relevant flood risk and drainage authorities.
• Manage the full sales process. Lead introductory conversations, product demonstrations, technical discussions, proposals, pricing and contract negotiations.
• Demonstrate the value of the technology. Use real-world examples and customers’ own applications to show how the software can improve existing review processes.
• Navigate public-sector procurement. Help customers work through procurement requirements, information security reviews, budget cycles and internal approval processes.
• Build a presence in the flood risk community. Develop relationships through industry events, webinars, case studies, regional flood groups and user networks.

Customer success

• Build lasting customer relationships. Understand how authorities currently review applications, where the challenges lie and how the software can help.
• Manage trials from start to finish. Agree objectives, train users, monitor progress and demonstrate the benefits of the platform.
• Provide technical support. Help customers with live flood risk reviews, combining an understanding of the software with practical flood risk expertise.
• Support retention and account growth. Monitor engagement, demonstrate value, onboard new users and identify opportunities to expand adoption.

Product ownership

• Shape the product roadmap. Translate customer feedback and technical requirements into a prioritised programme of product improvements.
• Work directly with developers. Contribute to development planning, answer technical questions and test new functionality against real-world planning applications.
• Maintain technical accuracy. Ensure the software reflects relevant planning policy, SuDS standards, Environment Agency climate change allowances and local authority requirements.
• Influence future development. Help identify opportunities to extend the platform to other authorities and customer groups, contributing to pricing, trials and product launches.

Leadership and business development

• Manage your own customer portfolio while helping establish priorities and processes for the wider flood risk team.
• Help recruit and develop the team as the business grows.
• Document successful sales, implementation and customer support processes so they can be replicated across other technical disciplines.
• Make effective use of AI tools to improve productivity and help a small team achieve more.

What we are looking for

The business is open-minded about backgrounds and career stages. You do not need to tick every box; relevant technical experience, commercial aptitude and a willingness to take ownership are key.

• Experience in flood risk, drainage, civil engineering or environmental consultancy, ideally involving the preparation or review of flood risk assessments and drainage strategies.
• A good understanding of the technical requirements, challenges and working practices of flood risk professionals and planning authorities.
• Experience of winning work, developing client accounts, contributing to bids or selling technical services or software, ideally with responsibility for commercial targets.
• An interest in how software and AI can improve engineering workflows, with an appreciation of what makes technology useful to technical professionals. Coding experience is not required.
• The confidence to work with a range of stakeholders, from local authority officers to senior decision-makers.
• An interest in developing others and helping build a team in a growing business.

Chartership through ICE, CIWEM, IEMA or a similar professional body would be welcome but is not essential.

Also beneficial

Experience working within or alongside an LLFA, acting as a planning consultee, selling to or procuring for local government, product ownership within an engineering business, software sales, pre-sales or customer success.

Familiarity with GIS and environmental reference data, including OS, Esri, BGS, Environment Agency or Defra datasets, would also be useful. Experience in a large engineering consultancy or an early-stage technology business could be advantageous.

The environment

This is an opportunity to join a growing business where processes and ways of working are still being developed. You will have considerable autonomy, direct access to decision-makers and the opportunity to influence commercial strategy and product development.

The pace can be demanding, particularly as the business grows and responds to customer needs. The role will suit someone who enjoys variety, takes initiative and is comfortable balancing immediate customer priorities with longer-term development.

It is a hands-on position rather than a traditional sales, technical or product management role, so flexibility across all three areas is important.

Why consider this opportunity?

You will have the opportunity to shape an emerging market for AI-powered engineering technology, combining your flood risk expertise with commercial responsibility and influence over product development.

Rather than specialising in a single function, you will own the development of a customer base, help build a revenue stream and influence how technology is applied to real-world flood risk challenges.

For someone working in flood risk who wants to broaden their career beyond traditional consultancy, take on a founding leadership position and help shape how the industry adopts AI, this offers a distinctive next step.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.