Principal Flood & Water Resilience Lead

Royal-Borough-of-Kensington-and-Chelsea; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Autonomy to shape priorities

Professional development

Job summary

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is seeking a Principal Flood and Water Management Officer to lead the borough’s flood risk strategy and drive innovative water management projects across London’s iconic borough. You will assess planning applications, provide robust drainage advice and coordinate policy updates to keep risk management forward-looking.

You’ll oversee major flood mitigation schemes, build strong external partnerships, and engage residents to ensure practical, transparent

Qualifications

• Degree in planning, engineering, environmental science or related field.
• Membership or chartered status with RTPI or CIWEM or equivalent.
• Experience at principal or senior level in local government or private consultancy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Council’s statutory duties as Lead Local Flood Authority under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010.
• Review major planning applications and provide robust drainage advice for developments.
• Maintain and update planning policies, local flood risk strategies and flood hazard mapping.
• Oversee strategic flood mitigation schemes across the borough and deliver resilience solutions.
• Engage with residents and partners to ensure practical, transparent flood protection.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Policy development

GIS mapping

Education

Degree in planning/engineering/environmental science

RTPI/CIWEM membership

Tools

GIS (flood mapping)

Job description

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is seeking a Principal Flood and Water Management Officer to lead the borough’s flood risk strategy and drive innovative water management projects across London’s iconic borough. You will assess planning applications, provide robust drainage advice and coordinate policy updates to keep risk management forward-looking.

You’ll oversee major flood mitigation schemes, build strong external partnerships, and engage residents to ensure practical, transparent