Principal Hydrologist (Flood Risk Consultant)

Stantec; Ledston; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid / Flexible Working

Private medical insurance

Bonus schemes

Enhanced pension

Job summary

Stantec is seeking a Principal Hydrologist to lead complex flood risk consultancy across the UK. You will mentor junior staff, govern quality assurance, support business development and shape the direction of our flood risk and water environment capability.

Based in our UK offices (Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol or Cardiff), you will deliver Flood Risk Assessments, hydraulic modelling and LLFA studies, collaborating with Environment Agency, LLFAs and water companies to protect communities

Qualifications

• Experience leading flood risk / water environment projects.
• Chartered with CIWEM, ICE, or working towards it.
• Strong report writing for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects and lead teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of Flood Risk Assessments and hydraulic modelling.
• Mentor junior colleagues and drive quality assurance.
• Support business development and client relationships.
• Coordinate with LLFAs, Environment Agency and water companies.

Skills

Hydrology

Flood risk

Hydraulic modelling

GIS

Stakeholder liaison

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering / Geography

Tools

Flood Modeller

TUFLOW

InfoWorks ICM

ArcGIS Pro

QGIS

FEH / ReFH2 / WINFAP

Job description

The UK's flood risk landscape is changing. Climate pressures are intensifying, regulatory expectations are rising, and the communities that depend on resilient, well-managed water environments deserve solutions that are built to last. The professionals who can lead that work with both technical authority and genuine human understanding are exactly who we are looking for.

At Stantec, our Hydrology and Flood Risk team is growing because the demand for what we do is growing. We are looking for a Principal Hydrologist with a strong flood risk consulting background to join us, someone ready to take a leading role in delivering complex work and helping shape a team with real ambition.

About The Role

You will join a friendly, collaborative group of over 100 Hydrologists, Hydrogeologists, Water Resources Planners and Water Quality Scientists, with flexibility to be based from our Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol or Cardiff offices.

Your project portfolio will span the full breadth of flood risk and drainage consultancy, including enhancing the resilience of public water supply, reducing the environmental impact of wastewater infrastructure and working with Lead Local Flood Authorities. You will deliver sustainable, climate-resilient solutions across flood risk appraisal, hydraulic modelling, hydrology, SuDS design and development planning support.

At the Principal level, your contribution will extend well beyond technical delivery. You will mentor junior colleagues, lead quality assurance processes, support business development and play an active part in shaping the future direction of our flood risk and water environment capability.

Your experience will span some or all of the following: preparation of Flood Risk Assessments in line with national planning policy; hydraulic modelling using Flood Modeller, TUFLOW or InfoWorks ICM; hydrological methods including FEH, ReFH2 and WINFAP; surface water drainage strategies and SuDS design; LLFA studies including SWMPs, Local Flood Risk Management Plans and Flood Protection Schemes; river restoration and natural flood management; EIA preparation; GIS analysis using ArcGIS Pro or QGIS; and liaison with the Environment Agency, SEPA, LLFAs and water companies.

Your Impact

The projects you lead will protect communities from flooding, support the long-term security of public water supply and contribute to the restoration of natural systems under pressure across the UK. That is work with real consequences, and your technical leadership will sit at its heart.

Beyond the projects, the people you develop will carry the expertise and standards you help instil throughout their careers. At the principal level, that kind of lasting influence is one of the most rewarding parts of the role, and it is something our team takes real pride in.

About You

You hold a degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related discipline, and you are Chartered with CIWEM, ICE, or a similar professional body, or actively working towards it. You bring significant experience managing and delivering water environment projects, combining deep technical knowledge with the leadership and communication skills that build trusted, long-term client relationships.

You are confident managing multiple complex projects simultaneously, contributing to business development conversations and helping steer the strategic direction of a growing discipline. You produce high-quality technical reports for both technical and non-technical audiences, and you bring the rigour and attention to detail that work of this consequence demands.

Most importantly, you are looking for a role where your expertise and leadership matter equally. A place where you can do excellent work, develop excellent people and be part of a team that is genuinely going somewhere.

Why Join Us

We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.

We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named 'Best Place to Work' and 'International Consulting Firm of the Year' at the NCE Awards 2024.

We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.

We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups)

Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!

Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.

Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.

#UKWater #LI-MH1

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [e-mail] we will talk to you about how we can support you.