Technical Director - Hydrology Lead

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Job summary

WSP in the UK is seeking a senior leader to head the Hydrology Service within Sustainable Water Management, driving strategy, growth, and high-quality delivery across flood risk, water resources and major infrastructure.

You will provide expert hydrology leadership, work with regulators, lead bids, manage client relationships, and mentor a high-performing team, with hybrid working across the UK.

This role offers a clear path to influence and develop capabilities within a global firm.

Qualifications

• Recognised specialist in hydrology with UK practice
• Strong commercial awareness and a track record of developing and winning work
• Chartership with a professional body, or commitment to achieve within an agreed timeframe

Responsibilities

• Lead growth and strategic development of UK Hydrology Service
• Provide senior technical leadership in hydrology
• Set direction on technical excellence, training and external profile
• Act as independent technical reviewer for complex hydrological assessments
• Oversee client and public-facing deliverables with clear communication
• Lead high-value bids and proposals
• Manage projects from commercial, financial and delivery perspectives
• Build strong client and stakeholder relationships
• Collaborate with Sustainable Water Management leadership and global teams
• Promote a strong safety culture in line with policy

Skills

Hydrology

Flood estimation

Water resources

UK policy

Client development

Commercial acumen

Technical leadership

Report writing

Chartership

Education

Chartership in Hydrology

Job description

Job Description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

About The Role

This is a senior leadership role within WSP’s UK Sustainable Water Management Consulting business, leading our Hydrology Service. Hydrology underpins much of what we do across flood risk, water resources and major infrastructure projects, making this a critical role for service growth, technical excellence and future capability.

As Hydrology Service Lead, you will be responsible for the strategic direction, growth and performance of the service, with a particular focus on pipeline development, revenue delivery and external profile. You will work closely with technical and service leads across Sustainable Water Management to drive innovation, skills development and consistent, high quality delivery.

You will provide authoritative technical leadership in hydrology, acting as a recognised subject matter expert and trusted advisor to clients, regulators and internal stakeholders.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

• Leading the growth and strategic development of WSP’s Hydrology Service across the UK
• Providing senior technical leadership in hydrology, with a strong personal track record across key hydrological disciplines
• Setting direction on technical excellence, training, innovation and external profile, in collaboration with technical leads
• Acting as an independent technical reviewer and providing quality assurance for complex hydrological assessments
• Overseeing and contributing to high quality client and public facing deliverables, with clear communication and effective interpretation of complex data
• Supporting and leading high value bids and proposals, shaping innovative solutions that respond to client needs
• Managing projects from a commercial, financial and delivery perspective
• Building and maintaining strong client and stakeholder relationships
• Working collaboratively with the wider Sustainable Water Management leadership team and with global WSP teams
• Promoting a strong safety first culture in line with WSP health and safety policies

While this is primarily a UK based role, it also offers the opportunity to work with colleagues across WSP’s global business.

About The Team

WSP’s Hydrology Service supports a wide range of flood risk management, water resources and major infrastructure projects. The team works closely with hydraulic modelling, flood risk assessment, hydro ecology and water quality specialists across the UK and our Global Capability Centre in India.

We are a trusted advisor to clients including the Environment Agency, UK water companies and infrastructure providers, delivering major programmes such as the Mapping and Modelling Framework, AMP8 WINEP schemes, Water Resources Management Plans and large scale infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland.

We offer a supportive, collaborative and ambitious environment where experienced leaders can make a genuine impact and continue to grow their profile.

What We Are Looking For

You will be a recognised specialist in hydrology with extensive experience applying UK policy, guidance and best practice across complex projects. You will bring strong commercial awareness and a proven ability to develop and win work, alongside the leadership skills needed to grow and inspire a high performing team.

You Will Be Able To Demonstrate

• Deep technical expertise in hydrology, including flood estimation, water resources and advanced analytical techniques
• Strong knowledge of UK statutory requirements and experience working with regulators such as EA, SEPA, NRW or DfI
• Experience supporting or leading hydrological inputs to major infrastructure schemes
• A strong external profile, including industry publications, conference presentations or technical leadership roles
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence at senior client and stakeholder level
• Commercial acumen, with a track record of shaping opportunities and delivering successful proposals
• High quality report writing, technical review and analytical skills
• Chartership with a relevant professional body, or a commitment to achieve this within an agreed timeframe

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

What’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.