Flood Risk and Surface Water EIA (Principal/Associate)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland seeks a Principal or Associate consultant with strong Water EIA, Flood Risk and drainage strategy expertise to lead technically complex projects. The role will manage a small team, coordinate inputs, and interface with clients on planning and DCO related work.

The successful candidate will guide senior colleagues, develop new services, and contribute to business growth, while upholding high health and safety standards across projects in the UK.

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant environmental, geographical, science or engineering discipline is essential.
• Chartered status with C.WEM, C.Env, C.Sci or CEng.
• Experience in Water EIA, Flood Risk and Sustainable Drainage deliverables is valuable for delivery of planning and permitting for major infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Playing a leading role in project delivery, including managing the interface with clients and internal stakeholders and supervising, coordinating, and reviewing the inputs of others within the business to deliver high‑quality technical outputs that meet client requirements.
• Working with senior colleagues across WSP’s Sustainable Water Management and Earth and Environment teams to develop business opportunities and prepare successful proposals.
• Managing or directing projects effectively, balancing programme, budget and quality requirements, and ensuring that the highest health and safety standards are upheld.
• Taking a leadership role for the water EIA and flood risk team and supporting the growth of the office.
• Providing technical guidance, training and support to junior colleagues.
• Playing a key role in growing WSP’s technical capability, knowledge and innovation base to develop new services for our clients.

Skills

Water EIA

Flood Risk

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Degree in environmental, geographical, science or engineering

Chartered status (C.WEM/C.Env/C.Sci/CEng)

Job description

We are looking for a Principal or Associate consultant who is experienced in the management, coordination and delivery of Flood Risk Assessments, Drainage Strategies and Water EIA projects to direct and lead teams on technically complex projects for a range of clients.

Our Birmingham office provides a hub for 16 water environment professionals across water quality, water resources, geomorphology, water EIA and flood risk disciplines. In particular, we are seeking a senior professional who can provide leadership to 3 team members who focus specifically on water EIA and flood risk.

Responsibilities

• Playing a leading role in project delivery, including managing the interface with clients and internal stakeholders and supervising, coordinating, and reviewing the inputs of others within the business to deliver high‑quality technical outputs that meet client requirements.
• Working with senior colleagues across WSP’s Sustainable Water Management and Earth and Environment teams to develop business opportunities and prepare successful proposals.
• Managing or directing projects effectively, balancing programme, budget and quality requirements, and ensuring that the highest health and safety standards are upheld.
• Taking a leadership role for the water EIA and flood risk team and supporting the growth of the office.
• Providing technical guidance, training and support to junior colleagues.
• Playing a key role in growing WSP’s technical capability, knowledge and innovation base to develop new services for our clients.

Team

The Sustainable Water Management business comprises over 350 staff across water consultancy and engineering. Due to strong and sustained growth we are seeking new colleagues who have experience in Water EIA and Flood Risk Assessments to further strengthen our technical capability and lead the delivery of a range of project work, including planning and DCO applications for major infrastructure development.

The Sustainable Water Management business operates as a national team: work, training and technical expertise are shared around the local teams ensuring project allocation considers personal interests and development aspirations and, where practicable, supports the growth of senior members.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• Experience in managing Water EIA, Flood Risk and Sustainable Drainage deliverables, with strong technical capability in at least one of these areas.
• Demonstrable experience leading or contributing significantly to technical inputs and teams for successful project delivery for planning and permitting for major infrastructure projects, including preparation of water EIA, FRA and WFD inputs to planning applications, participation in DCO examinations or planning inquiries, and developing applications for environmental permits.
• Track record in effective delivery of complex, high‑profile projects for the water environment; experience of the Development Consent Order planning regime for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects in the UK is desirable.
• Excellent knowledge of the regulatory context for planning and EIA in the UK.
• Experience managing team members with a focus on professional and technical development.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a proven record of managing client and stakeholder relationships.
• Practical project management experience, including management of project teams, and comfort with challenging projects.

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant environmental, geographical, science or engineering discipline is essential.
• Chartered status with C.WEM, C.Env, C.Sci or CEng.

Benefits

Work‑life balance: Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging: We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences, encouraging people to bring their whole authentic selves to work and promoting a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Health & Wellbeing: We support our people through programmes such as Thrive, a Virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, the Gymflex scheme, and a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex Your Time: WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with flexibility to adjust the timing.

Your development: We invest in growth, training, mentoring, and chartership support.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.