Principal Consultant Water Assessments (EIA)

Apem Ltd; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy based in the UK is seeking a Principal Consultant for Water Assessments. This role involves coordinating multidisciplinary environmental projects and managing client relationships. Candidates should have an MSc or PhD in Environmental Science along with extensive consultancy experience. You will lead on environmental reporting while working on various innovative projects, directly contributing to environmental protection and sustainable development.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive consultancy experience is required.
• Strong understanding of environmental legislation and frameworks.
• Proven ability to deliver projects to time and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage multidisciplinary projects.
• Lead on environmental reporting and act as a client contact.
• Mentor others and shape approaches to integrated water assessments.

Skills

Environmental Science knowledge

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Client engagement

Education

MSc or PhD in Environmental Science

Job description

Are you an experienced environmental consultant with a passion for water and the natural environment? Do you enjoy bringing together specialists from across disciplines to deliver complex, high‑impact projects? We’re looking for a Principal Consultant – Water Assessments to join our Environmental Appraisal team within APEM’s Water Management Division. This is a varied and collaborative role, ideal for someone who thrives on technical coordination and cross‑team working. You’ll lead and integrate inputs across areas such as water quality, hydrology, hydromorphology, flood risk, groundwater and aquatic ecology to deliver high‑quality assessments and evidence‑based solutions. This is a great time to join our growing Environmental Appraisal team. You’ll have the opportunity to work on a wide range of environmental and infrastructure projects across the UK – including some of the most pioneering initiatives in the sector, such as APEM’s involvement with the Mersey Tidal Power project. Your work will directly contribute to protecting and enhancing the water environment while supporting responsible and sustainable development.

Responsibilities

In this role, you’ll coordinate and manage multidisciplinary projects, lead on environmental reporting, and act as a key point of contact for clients. You’ll also have opportunities to mentor others, shape our approach to integrated water assessments and influence future growth across the division.

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in Environmental Science (or related discipline) and extensive consultancy experience
• Strong understanding of environmental legislation and water‑related assessment frameworks (EIA, WFD, HRA)
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary projects and integrating technical inputs
• Excellent organisational, analytical and communication skills
• Strong client engagement and project management experience
• Proven ability to deliver projects to time, quality, and budget standards
• Commercial awareness and experience contributing to tenders and proposals

Bonus qualifications

• Line management or mentoring experience
• Membership of a relevant professional body
• Experience with HRA assessments or GIS software
• A full UK driving licence

At APEM, we balance technical excellence with flexibility and wellbeing. You’ll be part of a supportive, expert team that works across multiple disciplines and environments – from freshwater and estuarine systems to marine and terrestrial projects.

As part of the APEM Group, and now within Applus+, we’re continuing to expand into new markets and deliver some of the UK’s most exciting environmental consultancy work. We are focused on creating a diverse and inclusive team. If you can’t tick every box on our job description, we are still keen to hear from you and are open to supporting your development. That may be working part time or supporting you to gain experience in a specific area – we are a growing company and are able to adapt roles to reflect individual skills. If you think you have what it takes to join our fast‑growing business, then please apply immediately on our website. All we need is some basic information and your CV, we will review all applications quickly and will respond to all applications.

The APEM Group is a global environmental consultancy. We work with a range of clients, including large corporations and governments, to help them understand and solve a wide variety of environmental projects in the UK and globally. Our successful pioneering work has enabled us to grow and combine forces with other businesses who share our ethos and integrity. At our core, our people are working towards the protection of the environment across the globe.