Associate Director Water

Our consultancy client is seeking an Associate Director Water to lead on flood risk and water management schemes for their end client based out of Birmingham with hybrid working.

Our client has a Head Office in Birmingham but may consider candidates based near Reading, Bristol, London, Leeds and Manchester

As a senior member of the business, you will help shape the strategic direction of water services offering, lead the delivery of complex projects, develop client relationships, and support the growth and development of a talented multidisciplinary team.

Our client are a specialist consultant delivering holistic water management solutions across a broad range of disciplines, including flood risk, surface water management, foul water management, water quality, water resources (efficiency and neutrality), and hydraulic modelling.

They strive for excellent design, challenging conventional approaches within the water sector to develop innovative, sustainable, and resilient solutions that respond to the demands of our changing environment and support thriving communities.

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced and commercially minded professional to influence the future direction of the water business while delivering exceptional outcomes for end clients and mentoring the next generation of water specialists.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and strategic leadership across a range of flood risk and water management projects.
• Lead and oversee the preparation of Flood Risk Assessments, Drainage Strategies, Surface Water Management Plans and wider water management solutions.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, helping to secure repeat business and identify new opportunities.
• Support business development activities, including proposal preparation, framework bids and client presentations.
• Manage project teams, ensuring technical excellence, commercial performance and successful project delivery.
• Mentor and support the development of junior and senior team members.
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to deliver integrated and sustainable design solutions.

Skills/experience/qualifications

• Proven experience leading and managing multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong client-facing skills with the ability to develop long-term relationships and generate business opportunities.
• Experience in project governance, financial management, resource planning and commercial delivery.
• Ability to provide strategic advice and influence project outcomes at a senior level.
• A passion for mentoring, coaching and developing technical talent.
• Extensive experience in flood risk management from all sources and integration of flood resilience measures within new and existing developments.
• Strong understanding of sustainable drainage, nature-based solutions and the delivery of multifunctional benefits.
• Excellent knowledge of hydraulic design principles and hydrological processes.
• Ability to promote and integrate flood risk considerations from fluvial, tidal, surface water, groundwater and artificial sources.
• Experience interpreting surveys, drawings, modelling data and technical information to develop sustainable and practical solutions.
• Strong understanding of policy, legislation and guidance such as Water Industry Act, SUDs regulations, National Planning Policy framework etc, Sewerage guidance
• Extensive experience in the use and application of industry software, ideally including: Flood Modeller Pro, TUFLOW, ESTRY, HEC-RAS.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and delivering both concept and detailed flood risk and drainage solutions.
• Strong technical report writing, presentation and communication skills.
• Sound understanding of CDM Regulations, including preparation and review of design risk assessments.
• Degree-qualified in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Management, Geography, or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer or Chartered Environmentalist status (ICE, CIWEM or equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Significant experience in a senior flood risk, drainage or water management consultancy role.

Benefits

• Salary up to -82k depending on experience level
• 25 days annual leave, with the option to purchase additional leave.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Company Share Ownership Scheme.
• Private healthcare.
• Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Payment of professional subscriptions.
• Company pension scheme.
• Life Assurance.
• The opportunity to shape and enhance a growing Water Team.
• Exposure to a diverse and technically challenging project portfolio.
• Opportunities to broaden your expertise across the wider water sector.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment.
• Ongoing professional development, leadership support and mentoring.
• A modern and accessible workplace.
• A diverse client base spanning public and private sectors.