Associate Director - Water

Tetra Tech Europe; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Tetra Tech Europe is seeking an Associate Director to lead its Clean Water Analytics and Software teams in Exeter. This role encompasses managing large operational programmes, enhancing client trust, and developing delivery strategies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in engineering or data science along with substantial sector experience and a proven delivery record.

The position involves a hybrid working model with office attendance and client site travel, allowing for flexibility in arrangements. This role offers an exciting opportunity to influence clean water strategies and lead a talented team.

Qualifications

• Expected: substantial sector experience; proven senior delivery record.
• Desirable: postgraduate qualification, experience in software/analytics delivery, and executive leadership training.

Responsibilities

• Lead Clean Water Analytics and Software teams.
• Manage multi-disciplinary delivery and client relationships.
• Oversee resource planning and programme oversight.

Skills

Leadership and people development

Client and commercial leadership

Programme delivery and assurance

Technical and sector expertise

Strategic innovation and growth

Education

Degree in engineering, data science or related field

Job description

Lead transformation in clean water analytics

Purpose And Scope Of The Role

Tetra Tech’s Water Consultancy is seeking an Associate Director to lead our Clean Water Analytics and Software teams, responsible for the direction, performance and commercial delivery of large operational and technical programmes across the UK water sector. You will manage multi-disciplinary delivery, develop client relationships, set delivery strategies and oversee resource planning. Daily activities include senior stakeholder engagement, programme oversight, risk and opportunity management, and ensuring quality, on‑time delivery across long‑term framework work with multi‑million‑pound portfolios. You will report to the Technical Director and work alongside senior managers to coordinate workstreams across engineers, modellers and data analysts.

Your Impact In This Position

In the short term you will stabilise delivery and strengthen client trust. Over the medium term you will optimise delivery models, grow software and analytics capability, and secure new framework opportunities. Long term, you will shape regional clean water strategy, develop leaders within the team and progress to senior technical or commercial leadership roles within Tetra Tech.

Core Capabilities

• Leadership and people development – Proven ability to lead, mentor and scale technical teams to deliver complex programmes.
• Client and commercial leadership – Demonstrable track record of winning and retaining client work, commercial management of frameworks and stakeholder negotiation.
• Programme delivery and assurance – Experience directing multi‑project portfolios, managing risk, schedules, budgets and regulatory compliance.
• Technical and sector expertise – Deep understanding of clean water operations, analytics or software delivery in the water industry and associated standards.
• Strategic innovation and growth – Capability to identify market opportunities, develop delivery strategies and drive technical innovation with measurable benefits.

Skills, Qualifications And Experience

Expected: degree in engineering, data science or related field; substantial sector experience; proven senior delivery record. Desirable: postgraduate qualification, experience in software/analytics delivery and executive leadership training.

Work patterns & locations

Hybrid working with regular regional office attendance; typical expectation two to three days in the office and travel to client sites as required. Flexible arrangements considered in line with delivery needs.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day‑to‑day role.