Senior Principal Urban Drainage Modeller

Stantec; Exeter; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Stantec in the UK is seeking a Senior Principal Urban Drainage Modeller to lead a portfolio of urban drainage and wastewater modelling projects, providing technical leadership and direction across multi-disciplinary teams across the UK.

You will shape client relationships, drive innovative digital solutions, and contribute to the growth of Stantec’s Urban Drainage Modelling capability while mentoring the next generation of leaders.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil, Environmental or Water Engineering.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status or working towards.
• Proven leadership of complex urban drainage or hydraulic modelling projects.
• Expert knowledge of InfoWorks ICM and hydraulic modelling.
• Experience delivering governance and assurance across multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong mentoring and team development.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership across urban drainage and wastewater modelling programmes.
• Lead studies covering networks, overflows, flooding, water quality, pollution and resilience.
• Apply expert knowledge of InfoWorks ICM to develop robust solutions.
• Provide governance and assurance of modelling approaches.
• Act as trusted adviser to clients, shaping investment decisions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop digital solutions.
• Lead project delivery including planning, resourcing, and cost estimates.
• Support bids, frameworks and business development opportunities.
• Lead, mentor and develop modelling teams.

Skills

Urban drainage modelling

Project leadership

Client relationship management

Governance & assurance

Mentoring / team development

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in Civil/Environmental/Water Engineering

Tools

InfoWorks ICM

Hydraulic modelling

Job description

The Opportunity

The UK water sector is undergoing significant investment to improve environmental performance, address increasing pressure on wastewater networks and create infrastructure that is resilient for the future. At Stantec, our Urban Drainage Modelling teams are helping clients navigate these challenges through industry-leading technical expertise, advanced hydraulic modelling and innovative digital solutions.

We’re looking for a Senior Principal Urban Drainage Modeller to join our growing teams in Warrington, Manchester, Redditch, Birmingham, Derby, Cardiff, Bristol or Exeter. This is a senior leadership opportunity within our nationally recognised Urban Drainage Modelling community, working alongside specialists across the UK and internationally. You’ll provide strategic and technical direction across complex programmes, influence client decisions, develop innovative approaches and play a key role in growing our modelling capability. With a strong pipeline of work across major UK water programmes, you’ll have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the future of urban drainage modelling while developing the next generation of technical leaders.

About The Role

As a Senior Principal Urban Drainage Modeller, you’ll act as a senior technical authority across a portfolio of urban drainage and wastewater projects. You’ll combine technical leadership with strategic thinking, providing direction to project teams, developing client relationships and helping shape the continued growth of our Urban Drainage Modelling capability.

You Will

• Provide senior technical leadership and direction across complex urban drainage and wastewater modelling programmes.
• Lead and assure technically challenging studies covering wastewater networks, storm overflows, flooding, water quality, pollution management and network resilience.
• Apply expert knowledge of InfoWorks ICM and hydraulic modelling techniques to develop robust, innovative and practical solutions.
• Provide technical governance, review and assurance of modelling approaches, methodologies and key project deliverables.
• Act as a trusted technical adviser to clients, building senior relationships and influencing investment, operational and strategic decisions.
• Work with multidisciplinary and specialist teams to develop innovative digital solutions, modelling tools and improved technical approaches.
• Lead project and programme delivery, including planning, resourcing, programming, commercial management and preparation of cost estimates.
• Support bids, frameworks and business development opportunities, helping to grow Stantec’s Urban Drainage Modelling portfolio.
• Lead, mentor and develop modelling teams, creating a strong technical culture and supporting the progression of future leaders.

YOUR IMPACT

Your technical leadership will help water companies make better-informed decisions about investment, network performance and environmental improvement. The projects and programmes you lead will support solutions to flooding, storm overflow impacts, water quality and pollution, while helping clients develop more resilient and sustainable wastewater networks.

Beyond individual projects, you’ll have a wider influence on Stantec’s Urban Drainage Modelling capability. You’ll help shape technical standards and best practice, develop innovative digital approaches, strengthen client relationships and create opportunities for our people to grow. Your leadership will contribute to the continued success and expansion of our UDM community across the UK.

ABOUT YOU Essential

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer (CEng/IEng) or actively working towards
• Significant experience leading complex urban drainage, wastewater or hydraulic modelling projects and programmes.
• Expert knowledge of InfoWorks ICM and a strong technical understanding of hydraulic modelling and wastewater networks.
• Proven track record of providing technical leadership, governance and assurance across multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong experience leading, mentoring and developing technical teams.
• Excellent client and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior decision-makers and provide trusted technical advice.
• Experience contributing to project or programme management, commercial delivery, bids and business development.

Desirable

• Membership of a relevant professional institution such as ICE or CIWEM.
• Extensive experience working with UK regulated water companies and across AMP programmes.
• Strong technical experience across storm overflows, water quality, flood risk, pollution management and wastewater network modelling.
• Experience developing digital tools, automation, data analytics or innovative modelling solutions.
• Experience developing client relationships and identifying opportunities for business growth.
• Experience shaping technical strategy, standards or best practice within a modelling discipline.

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.

If you’re ready to take a senior leadership role within one of the UK’s leading Urban Drainage Modelling teams, we’d love to hear from you.

Join Stantec in Warrington, Manchester, Redditch, Birmingham, Derby, Cardiff, Bristol or Exeter and use your technical expertise and leadership to shape innovative solutions for some of the UK’s most important water and environmental challenges.

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 clear 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.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success.

If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [email protected] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.