Associate Director Flood Risk & Sustainable Water Management

Associate / Associate Director – Flood Risk & Sustainable Water Management
Salary: £60,000 to £70,000 (dependent on experience)
Location: London, Leeds or Bristol
Type: Permanent, hybrid

About the Role
Our client is looking for an Associate or Associate Director to join their Flood Risk and Sustainable Water Management team.

You will lead and support a varied portfolio of development-led projects, with a particular focus on planning applications, Environmental Impact Assessments and wider catchment technical studies.

You will provide practical and commercially informed advice on flood risk, drainage and sustainable water management, helping clients navigate planning, policy, regulation and stakeholder requirements.

The role will also involve reviewing and overseeing technical reports, interpreting hydraulic modelling outputs and working with multidisciplinary teams to integrate flood risk and sustainable water management into project design.

You will engage directly with clients, planning authorities, the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities, water companies and other stakeholders.

About the Client
Our client is a leading consulting and engineering organisation delivering projects across the UK and internationally.

They work across the full project lifecycle, supporting public and private sector clients with sustainable and resilient solutions across the built and natural environment.

Their UK, Ireland and Netherlands operations employ more than 6,000 people, providing access to a broad network of technical expertise and multidisciplinary teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support development-led flood risk and sustainable water management projects.
• Provide technical advice on flood risk, drainage and sustainable water management.
• Support planning applications and Environmental Impact Assessments.
• Prepare, review and oversee technical reports and supporting documentation.
• Interpret hydraulic modelling outputs to inform technical advice and solution development.
• Assess flood risk constraints and develop appropriate mitigation solutions.
• Work closely with planners, engineers, environmental consultants and project managers.
• Liaise with clients, planning authorities, the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities and water companies.
• Represent the team at meetings, workshops and technical discussions.
• Manage multiple projects and oversee technical outputs.
• Contribute to fee proposals, bid writing and business development.
• Support and develop junior colleagues through mentoring, coaching and technical guidance.
• Build and maintain long-term client relationships.

What Our Client is Looking For

• Substantial senior-level experience in flood risk management, drainage or environmental water management consultancy.
• Strong experience supporting development projects through the planning and environmental process.
• Good understanding of UK flood risk policy, planning guidance and regulatory requirements.
• Experience advising on flood risk constraints, mitigation and sustainable water solutions.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Excellent technical report writing and presentation skills.
• Experience managing your own workload and supporting others.
• Commercial awareness and experience contributing to bids and proposals.
• Experience on major development, regeneration or infrastructure projects would be beneficial.
• Knowledge of DCO, EIA or other statutory consenting processes would be advantageous.
• Familiarity with sustainable drainage, nature-based solutions and local authority planning processes would be beneficial.
• Degree in a relevant discipline.
• Chartered status with CIWEM or a similar professional body is strongly preferred.
• UK project experience is essential.
• Full UK driving licence required.
• Eligibility for SC clearance is advantageous.

What Our Client Offers

• £60,000-£70,000 salary, dependent on experience.
• Hybrid working.
• Offices in London, Leeds and Bristol.
• Opportunity to work on major development, regeneration and infrastructure projects.
• Varied UK-wide project portfolio.
• Exposure to planning, environmental and flood risk projects.
• Opportunity to work with major clients and key stakeholders.
• Multidisciplinary working environment.
• Professional development and career progression.
• Opportunities to contribute to business development and team growth.

Eligibility

• Must have the right to work in the UK.
• UK project experience is essential.
• Full UK driving licence required.
• Flexibility to travel to client meetings, site visits and team meetings.
• Eligibility for SC clearance is advantageous.

Opportunity for Growth
This is a senior opportunity to take a leading role within a specialist Flood Risk and Sustainable Water Management team.

You will have the opportunity to take ownership of significant projects, develop client relationships, contribute to business development and support the development of junior team members.

The role also provides scope to progress your technical and commercial leadership within a growing multidisciplinary consultancy.

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.