Principal Urban Drainage Modeller - Water Sector

Stantec; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive salary

Bonus scheme

Pension and private medical insurance

Life assurance

Job summary

Stantec is seeking a Principal Urban Drainage Modeller to lead delivery on major UK water programmes from our Inverness/Glasgow footprint. You will guide technical governance, ensure quality, and mentor engineers within a growing urban drainage modelling team.

You will collaborate with Scottish Water and UK teams, shaping framework delivery, client relationships and bid activities while driving innovation in modelling approaches.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
• Extensive experience leading major urban drainage modelling projects.
• Expert knowledge of InfoWorks ICM.
• Proven experience providing technical leadership and governance.
• Experience mentoring and developing technical teams.
• Strong client relationship and stakeholder management.
• Experience supporting bids, project planning and commercial delivery.
• Membership of CIWEM or ICE.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of complex urban drainage projects across major programmes.
• Oversee project planning, technical governance, quality assurance and programme delivery.
• Help clients respond to the UK water sector challenges, delivering resilient infrastructure and better water quality.
• Mentor and develop engineers and modellers, building the next generation of technical leaders.
• Build strategic client relationships and strengthen confidence in our work.
• Prepare bids and support business development to win new work.
• Develop innovative modelling approaches and establish best practice across the team.
• Support framework delivery and growth of the urban drainage modelling business.

Skills

Urban drainage

Leadership

Governance

Client management

Mentoring

Bids & proposals

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

InfoWorks ICM

Job description

Principal Urban Drainage Modeller - Water Sector, Inverness.

Scottish Water is about to invest £8.1bn in its network, the biggest programme in its history. Stantec is one of just two Primary Designers chosen to deliver it.

This landmark partnership, which potentially extends to 2039, secures meaningful work from our Inverness office. Not one project. Not one framework cycle. A pipeline of water and wastewater schemes that will shape how Scotland lives for a generation. This major framework success anchors our exceptional performance across the UK for the AMP8 regulatory cycle, where we have secured exciting new project wins and solidified our standing as the number 1 design consultancy in the regulated water sector.

Most engineers get one programme like this in a career. We're building the team now, and the people who join early get to shape how it runs.

Learn more about careers with impact, right here in Scotland

Your Impact

Your leadership will directly influence how our clients respond to some of the biggest challenges facing the UK water sector. Through technical excellence and strategic thinking, you'll help deliver resilient infrastructure, improve water quality and support long-term environmental outcomes.

Beyond project delivery, you'll strengthen our technical capability by mentoring future leaders, developing innovative modelling approaches and helping shape the growth of our business. Your expertise will enhance client confidence, support successful framework delivery and contribute to Stantec's reputation as one of the industry's leading urban drainage modelling consultancies.

About the Role

You will provide technical leadership across major programmes, including Scottish Water, making sure complex urban drainage projects are delivered successfully while supporting the continued growth of our modelling capability. The role is based in our Glasgow office with hybrid working.

You will oversee project planning, technical governance, quality assurance and programme delivery, working closely with multidisciplinary teams across the UK and internationally.

Alongside project leadership, you will mentor and develop engineers and modellers, contribute to strategic client relationships, support business development and play an important part in preparing bids and winning new work.

You will help establish best practice, champion innovation and drive continuous improvement across our modelling services.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Lead the technical delivery of complex urban drainage projects across major programmes.
• Oversee project planning, technical governance, quality assurance and programme delivery.
• Help clients respond to some of the biggest challenges facing the UK water sector, delivering resilient infrastructure and better water quality.
• Mentor and develop engineers and modellers, building the next generation of technical leaders.
• Build strategic client relationships and strengthen client confidence in our work.
• Prepare bids, support business development and help win new work.
• Develop innovative modelling approaches and establish best practice across the team.
• Support successful framework delivery and the growth of our urban drainage modelling business.

About You

Essential

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience leading major urban drainage modelling projects.
• Expert knowledge of InfoWorks ICM.
• Proven experience providing technical leadership and governance.
• Experience managing, mentoring and developing technical teams.
• Strong client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience supporting bids, project planning and commercial delivery.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution such as CIWEM or ICE.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer status.
• Experience developing digital solutions or data-driven approaches.
• Experience leading delivery across major UK regulated water frameworks.

Why Join Stantec

• 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 for 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 and 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 and 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.