Lead Officer Flood and Development Management - WMF3157e

Westmorland and Furness Council; Kendal; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Enhanced annual leave

Job summary

Westmorland and Furness Council is seeking a Lead Officer Flood and Development Management to drive delivery of flood alleviation, resilience and sustainable drainage schemes. The role requires senior leadership experience in engineering or flood risk management with a strategic focus on climate resilience and nature-based solutions.

The post sits within a capital delivery framework, funded through project activity, with agile/hybrid working from home and base in Westmorland & Furness.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering engineering or flood risk projects with public or funded programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of flood investigation and alleviation projects.
• Develop and oversee a forward programme of schemes from 2026.
• Provide day-to-day leadership for officers delivering local flood and coastal risk work.
• Work with partners and communities to secure funding.
• Oversee statutory duties and act as deputy for Senior Manager.

Skills

Flood risk management

Project leadership

Civil engineering

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

Lead Officer Flood and Development Management - WMF3157e

Location: Agile working/working from home/Base within Westmorland & Furness

Contract Type: Permanent

About this opportunity

Westmorland and Furness Council is an ambitious, forward-looking authority committed to shaping public services for the better. Building on our strengths and transforming for the future, we put our communities at the heart of everything we do.

As our landscape, climate and local priorities evolve, we are investing in innovative, nature-based and engineered approaches to flood and coastal risk management. This is a unique opportunity to join a service at the forefront of adaptation, resilience and community-centred delivery.

About this opportunity

We are recruiting a Flood Programme Lead Officer to drive delivery of our growing portfolio of flood alleviation, resilience and sustainable drainage schemes across Westmorland and Furness.

This is a senior leadership role for an experienced engineer or project manager who can combine technical expertise with strategic thinking. You will play a key part in shaping how our area responds to increasing climate pressures, evolving national mapping and modelling, and the accelerated drive towards working with nature.

This post sits within our capital delivery framework and is funded through project and programme activity. The successful candidate will help shape, develop and deliver a pipeline of schemes, contributing directly to the continued growth and impact of flood and coastal investment.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and delivery of multiple flood investigation and alleviation projects, including schemes under £100k and supporting larger capital schemes
• Developing and overseeing a forward programme of schemes from 2026, ensuring they are technically achievable, financially robust and community-centered
• Providing day-to-day leadership for officers delivering local flood and coastal risk work
• Working closely with partners, communities and Regional Flood and Coastal Committees to secure funding
• Overseeing delivery of statutory duties and acting as deputy for the Senior Manager for Flood & Coastal Risk Management

Who we are looking for…

We are looking for someone with strong experience delivering engineering or flood risk management projects supported through government and non-government funding streams. This may include programmes backed by DEFRA, EU initiatives, research collaborations, local levy, and partnership schemes with organisations such as utilities, infrastructure bodies, universities or research institutions.

Knowledge of sustainable drainage, Natural Flood Management, local drainage systems and engineered solutions is key.

If you are a Civil Engineer, Project Manager or Flood Risk professional with a passion for climate resilience and environmental outcomes, we would love to hear from you.

What can we offer you!

Working at Westmorland and Furness Council you will receive a variety of benefits, including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and other various perks and discounts schemes. For more information about life at Westmorland and Furness Council and what we can offer you, please visit our Careers site. Our benefits | Careers (westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk)

Would you like to find out more?

For further information about this role, such as responsibilities and essential criteria please view the below attachments:

• Post Specification
• Role Profile

If you have any queries about this role or would like an informal chat about this opportunity, then please contact Jason Harte, Senior Service Lead on [e-mail] or 07551678457

Application and Interview information

Closing date: 23/10/2026

Interview date: w/c 02/11/2026

We are currently operating both in-person and virtual interviews. Interview details such as venue/timings will be shared with successful candidates, following the shortlisting process. If you have any concerns or adjustments are needed, we are happy to discuss this with you.

Safer Recruitment & DBS

At Westmorland and Furness Council we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk and we expect all workers, employees and volunteers to share our commitment.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Westmorland and Furness Council is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and work to promote an inclusive, supportive culture that values and celebrates our differences.

As a Disability Confident Leader, disabled applicants, who meet the essential criteria of this job, are guaranteed an interview.

We also offer guaranteed interviews to Armed Forces personnel and veterans and those in care or care experienced and under 24 years old (someone who has been looked after by a local authority at any point, for any length of time, e.g. foster care, residential care, or under the guardianship of a local authority) that meet the essential criteria for the role.