Hazen and Sawyer is seeking an entrepreneurial, driven, and highly motivated Water Resources leader to build, shape, and grow our UK water resources planning and environmental sustainability practice. This is a rare opportunity for an ambitious professional who thrives on business development, client leadership, and strategic growth, while still remaining deeply connected to high‑quality technical delivery. You will play a pivotal role in expanding Hazen and Sawyer’s global presence in the UK, working directly with British water companies, regulators, and partners, while leveraging the depth and reputation of our 75-year long‑established water practice. This role is ideal for someone who wants to leave a lasting mark on the UK water sector and help scale a practice from strong foundations to market leadership.
About Hazen and Sawyer
Hazen and Sawyer is a highly respected, employee‑owned global consultancy with a 75‑year legacy of excellence in water resources, water and wastewater engineering, and environmental sustainability. The firm is recognised for its deep technical expertise, collaborative culture, and commitment to delivering practical, innovative solutions for some of the most complex water challenges globally. With a strong and growing international presence, Hazen and Sawyer combines UK market insight with world‑class technical depth, enabling clients to benefit from global best practice while maintaining a clear focus on local regulatory, environmental, and stakeholder needs.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and grow Hazen and Sawyer’s UK water resources planning and environmental sustainability practice, helping define strategy, market positioning, and priority clients across the regulated water sector.
- Act as a trusted advisor to UK water and wastewater companies, regulators, and stakeholders, building long‑term, high‑value client relationships.
- Drive business development and market expansion, including opportunity identification, framework participation, bid leadership, and strategic pursuits.
- Provide technical leadership across water resources planning, hydrologic, hydraulic and water quality modelling, flood risk management, drainage, surface and groundwater management, and climate resilience in the delivery of Water Resource Management Plans, Strategic Resource Option investigations, Drought Plans, etc.
- Apply and champion UK standards and regulatory requirements, including EA, Ofwat, and LLFA guidance, ensuring credibility and excellence in delivery.
- Collaborate closely with global technical leaders, bringing global best practice, innovation, and depth to UK projects.
- Mentor and inspire a growing UK team, helping recruit, develop, and retain top talent as the practice scales.
- Represent Hazen and Sawyer externally, contributing to industry forums, conferences, and thought leadership.
Who We’re Looking For
- A highly ambitious and energetic water resources planning an environmental sustainability professional with a clear passion for growing a business, not just delivering projects.
- A degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or a related discipline; postgraduate degree preferred.
- 15+ years of experience delivering work for UK water companies, with a strong understanding of the regulatory and commercial landscape.
- Demonstrated success in business development, client engagement, and framework delivery within the UK water sector.
- Strong understanding of the technical aspects of hydrology, hydraulics, water quality and water resources planning, withing the context of environmental sustainability, and with the credibility to lead complex projects.
- Chartered status preferred (ICE, CIWEM, or similar).
- A confident communicator and relationship‑builder who enjoys being out in the market, shaping opportunities and supporting clients.
Why Hazen and Sawyer
- A genuine leadership role with the mandate to build and shape a UK practice, not simply inherit one.
- Direct engagement with leading British water companies and nationally significant water planning and infrastructure programmes.
- The backing of a highly respected, employee‑owned global consultancy with world‑class technical depth.
- International collaboration, combining UK market knowledge with global innovation and expertise.
- A flexible, collaborative, and technically driven culture that values initiative, ownership, and long‑term impact.
- A highly competitive salary and suite of benefits, commensurate with the leadership role sought.
To apply, or for more information about this position, please contact Barney Austin at: baustin@hazenandsawyer.com or +1-512-826-2604.
We are not accepting CVs from search firms or recruiters at this time. Direct applicants only.
