Local recruitment: Flood Risk and Surface Water EIA (Associate/Associate Director)

WSP

United Kingdom 🇬🇧

Job Description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs?
At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.
 

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A little more about your role…

We are looking for an Associate or Associate Director Flood Risk and Water EIA consultant who can take a leadership role in our Bristol office and work collaboratively on technically complex projects for a range of clients.  

Our Bristol office provides a hub for 18 water environment professionals across water quality, water resources, geomorphology, water EIA and flood risk disciplines.  In particular, we are seeking a senior professional who can provide leadership to 3 team members who focus specifically on water EIA and flood risk.
Project delivery and technical expertise is also a key part of the role.  The successful candidate will lead the delivery of water EIA and flood risk studies to support our strong portfolio of major infrastructure projects such as renewable energy schemes in Wales, major highway schemes in the South West and Heathrow’s expansion in London.  

Working as part of our national team, the successful candidate will also be able to work seamlessly across other technical areas within the Sustainable Water Management team.  This includes but is not limited to LLFA technical services, permitting applications, drainage design and WFD. 

Responsibilities will include:

  • Playing a leading role in project delivery, including managing the interface with clients and internal stakeholders. Supervising, coordinating and reviewing the inputs of others within the business to deliver high-quality technical outputs that meet client requirements.
  • Working with senior colleagues across WSP’s Sustainable Water Management and Earth and Environment teams to develop business opportunities and prepare successful proposals.
  • To manage or direct projects effectively, balancing programme, budget and quality requirements, and ensuring that the highest health and safety standards are adhered to.
  • Adopting the role of the Bristol Team Lead to provide people management to 3 existing members of the team and supporting the recruitment and growth of the Bristol office. 
  • Providing technical guidance, training and support to junior colleagues.
  • Playing a key role in growing WSP’s technical capability, knowledge and innovation base to develop new services for our clients.
     

Your team….

The Sustainable Water Management business comprises over 350 staff across water consultancy and engineering.  Due to strong and sustained growth we are seeking new colleagues who have experience in Water EIA and Flood Risk Assessments to further strengthen our technical capability and lead the delivery of a range of project work, including planning and DCO applications for major infrastructure development. 


The Sustainable Water Management business operates as a national team: work, training and technical expertise are shared around the local teams ensuring project allocation considers personal interests and personal development aspirations and much as practicable.  As a senior member of the team you would be actively involved in the continued growth, development and resourcing of the team. 
 

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

  • Experience in managing Water EIA and Flood Risk deliverables, with strong technical capability in either Water EIA or Flood Risk (noting that expertise in both is not a requirement). 
  • Demonstrable experience of leading or major contributor to technical inputs and teams for successful project delivery for planning and permitting for major infrastructure projects. This could include preparation of water EIA, FRA and WFD inputs to planning applications, participation in DCO examinations or planning inquiries, and developing applications for environmental permits. 
  • Track record in effective delivery of complex, high profile projects for the water environment; in particular, experience of the Development Consent Order planning regime for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects in the UK.
  •  Excellent knowledge of the regulatory context for planning and EIA in the UK.
  • Experience of managing team members with a focus on professional and technical development.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Successful track record in managing client and stakeholder relationships.
  • You should have practical project management experience, including management of project teams, and be comfortable managing challenging projects.

Qualifications

  •  A degree in a relevant environmental, geographical, science or engineering discipline is essential.
  • Chartered status with C.WEM, CEnv, CSci or CEng 
     

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

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

With us, you can. Apply today.

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Job Info

  • Job Identification: 80968
  • Posting Date: 03/16/2026, 02:09 PM

POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

IHE Delft - MSc in Water and Sustainable Development