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Associate / Associate Director – Local Government Flood Risk Management and Sustainable Drainage

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To find out more about our Water business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: Water Resilience | Stronger Together | WSP (https://www.wsp.com/en-GB/campaigns/water-resilience-stronger-together)

Due to strong and sustained growth in our Sustainable Water Management business, we are seeking experienced applicants to join our team of 300 water science and engineering professionals. Applicants are invited to further strengthen our project delivery and technical capability in a wide range of flood risk management projects for our Local Authority clients.

The Sustainable Water Management business operates as a national team and work is shared around the team in a fair and transparent way, ensuring project allocation takes into account personal interests and 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.

Your new role, what’s involved?

We are looking for a proficient and authoritative professional who has experience working with or within Lead Local Flood Authorities and have a competent and detailed understanding of key legislation and policies such as the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, Land Drainage Act 1991 and the National Planning Policy Framework (in relation to flood risk and drainage). With preferred strengths in flood risk management and sustainable drainage you will ideally have familiarity with other water environment disciplines to aid delivery of more complex projects for a range of clients.

The appointment would be at Associate or Associate Director grade, depending on experience. We can be flexible on location within the UK and offer a true hybrid work arrangement.

You will contribute to a diverse range of projects but the main focus of your work is likely to be delivering and taking technical lead roles on flood risk management projects for local authorities which can include large range of projects including; flood investigations, developing flood strategies, helping deliver solutions for flood alleviation, natural flood management, sustainable drainage master-planning, and supporting the planning process to ensure the most sustainable solutions are achieved for the water environment. Your work will be varied but will include technical, management and commercial responsibilities. Sharing your technical expertise and mentoring others in the team will also be an important part of your role.

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.

• To manage or direct projects effectively, balancing programme, budget and quality requirements, and ensuring that the highest health and safety standards are adhered to.

• Providing technical guidance, training and support to junior colleagues.

• Provide expert witness support for LLFAS in regards to Local Flood Risk.

• Engaging positively and professionally with clients in developing a trusted advisor role.

• Leading business development activities and being responsible for the development of proposals to clients.

• Support the development of our growth strategy in Local Government Flood Risk Management and Sustainable Drainage.

• Develop solutions that address client issues, challenges, and needs in collaboration with project or team leaders.

• Demonstrating positive H&S behaviours and championing this amongst the wider team.

• Playing a key role in growing WSP’s technical capability, knowledge and innovation base to develop new services for our clients.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

Skills / Experience

• Experience working in flood risk management with local authorities or a combination of public and private sector flood risk management experience.

• Demonstrable experience of leading or major contributor to technical inputs and teams for successful project delivery.

• Excellent knowledge of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, the Land Drainage Act 1991, National Planning Policy Framework and the Planning Practice Guidance: Flood Risk and Coastal Change and its application for management of flood risk for Local Authorities in the UK. Desirable wider knowledge of the regulatory context for planning in the UK.

• Experience in acting as expert witness in planning inquiries including the preparation of proofs of evidence.

• Excellent Knowledge and understanding of surface water drainage modelling and Sustainable Drainage Systems.

• Experience in preparing Local Flood Risk Management Strategies and Strategic Flood Risk Assessments.

• 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

We are WSP - Join us and make your career future ready!

In today’s world it’s important to work for a company that has clear purpose, giving back to communities and supporting what is truly important in the world.

When considering a career move its vital to work for a business that is aligned to your values and goals, a place where you can belong.

To find out more about our business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: Who We Are | WSP (https://www.wsp.com/en-gb/who-we-are)

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

Work-life balance?

WSP recognises that work is only one part of your life and making time for other things is important – whether that’s for your families, friends, or yourself.

Our hybrid working policy allows the flexibility to work from the comfort of your own home as well as collaborating in our contemporary offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Diversity?

We want our people to achieve rewarding careers, bringing their whole selves to work. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.

Our employee resource groups VIBE (LGBTQ+ employees), CREED (Championing Racial Equality and Ethnic Diversity) and our Gender Balance Group, in tandem with WSP’s Neurodiverse Community Group, WSP Connect Group (visible and non-visible disabilities) help us promote the right environment for you to reach your full potential.

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.

Med24 gives you and your family unrestricted telephone access to an NHS doctor where you can call day or night or have a face-to-face video consultation.

Flex your time?

For improved work life balance, WSP offers the “WSP Hour” which enables you to take one hour per day to do as you wish and make up the time earlier or later that day. We also offer part time and flexible working arrangements plus the option to flex your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development?

We appreciate that development and training is important to you and that’s why we have a supportive environment that invests in your development, whether that’s chartership, training or mentoring.

APPLY NOW AND BE THE FUTURE OF WSP!

#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.

Please note WSP reserves the right to close the vacancy before the advertised closing date.