Open roleExternal
Senior or Principal Consultant - Flood Risk and Drainage - Various Locations
- Lancashire
- Permanent·Hybrid
Job Description
At Tetra Tech, you will work on meaningful projects that help shape resilient, sustainable places across the UK. Joining our Flood Risk and Sustainable Water Management team, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality flood risk assessments, drainage strategies and sustainable water management solutions for development, regeneration and infrastructure projects.
This is an opportunity for an experienced consultant to take technical ownership of projects, provide trusted advice to clients and stakeholders, and contribute to the continued growth and development of a collaborative and technically strong team.
Purpose & Scope of the Role
As a Senior or Principal Flood Risk and Drainage Consultant, you will lead and contribute to a varied portfolio of projects involving flood risk assessment, drainage strategies and sustainable water management. You will provide clear, practical and technically robust advice to support due diligence, masterplanning, planning applications, development consent processes and wider environmental and infrastructure projects.
Your work will include preparing, reviewing and overseeing Flood Risk Assessments, drainage strategies, surface water management plans, sequential and exception test documentation, flood risk statements and supporting technical reports. You will assess flood risk from fluvial, tidal, surface water, groundwater, sewer and artificial sources, and develop proportionate mitigation and management measures.
You will bring sound knowledge of sustainable drainage systems, surface water runoff assessment, discharge rates, climate change allowances, exceedance routing, drainage constraints and water quality considerations. You will also be expected to interpret hydraulic modelling outputs and other flood risk information to inform technical advice, assess development constraints and support the development of deliverable solutions.
Working closely with planners, environmental consultants, engineers, architects, project managers and developers, you will help ensure that flood risk and drainage considerations are integrated effectively into project design and decision-making.
You will engage directly with clients, local planning authorities, Lead Local Flood Authorities, the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards, water companies and other stakeholders. You will support technical discussions, respond to consultations and queries, attend meetings and workshops, and help shape project strategy.
The role will also involve project management, fee proposals, tender submissions, technical leadership, quality assurance and the mentoring and development of junior colleagues.
Your Impact in this position
You will play a key role in helping clients progress development and infrastructure projects through the planning and assessment process. Your technical advice will support the delivery of safe, sustainable and policy-compliant schemes that appropriately manage flood risk and surface water.
Through your project leadership and technical input, you will help improve the quality and consistency of project delivery, strengthen client relationships and contribute to the growth of the Flood Risk and Sustainable Water Management team.
You will also support the development of less experienced colleagues by sharing your knowledge, reviewing technical work and providing practical guidance on flood risk assessment, drainage strategy and sustainable water management.
Core Capabilities
Flood Risk Assessment and Technical Advice
Strong experience in preparing and reviewing Flood Risk Assessments, drainage strategies and related flood risk documentation for planning, environmental and infrastructure projects. You will be able to identify flood risk constraints, assess the suitability of development proposals and recommend proportionate, practical and technically defensible mitigation measures.
Drainage and Sustainable Water Management
Strong experience and understanding of surface water drainage, sustainable drainage systems, runoff calculations, discharge restrictions, attenuation, exceedance flows, water quality and the wider water environment. You will be able to develop and appraise drainage strategies that respond to site constraints, regulatory requirements, climate change and the principles of sustainable development.
Hydraulic Modelling and Flood Risk Data
Experience of interpreting hydraulic modelling outputs, flood maps, topographic information, drainage records and other technical data. Experience of using or reviewing outputs from industry-standard software packages, such as Flood Modeller, TUFLOW, InfoWorks ICM, MicroDrainage or equivalent, would be beneficial.
Planning and Environmental Assessment
Experience supporting projects through the planning system, including the preparation of technical inputs for planning applications, Environmental Impact Assessments, Development Consent Orders and other statutory or regulatory submissions. You will understand the relationship between flood risk, drainage, planning policy, environmental constraints and development design.
Project Delivery and Quality Assurance
Ability to manage and deliver technical workstreams, coordinate inputs from project teams, monitor budgets and programmes, and ensure that project outputs are accurate, proportionate and fit for purpose. You will be comfortable reviewing technical reports and providing constructive feedback to colleagues.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
Confident communicator with strong written and verbal communication skills. You will be able to present technical information clearly to clients, design teams, planning authorities, regulators and other stakeholders, including audiences who may not have a technical background.
Teamwork, Mentoring and Professional Growth
A collaborative and proactive approach, with the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and support the development of junior colleagues. You will contribute to a positive team culture and help share good practice across the business.
Commercial Awareness and Business Development
Awareness of project budgets, scope management and the commercial requirements of consultancy delivery. You will contribute to fee proposals, tender submissions, client presentations, business development activities and the development of long-term client relationships.
Skills, Qualifications & Experience
You will have substantial experience in flood risk assessment, drainage, sustainable water management or a related environmental consultancy discipline, preferably gained within a UK planning, development or infrastructure context.
You will be expected to have a strong working knowledge of UK flood risk management policy, planning guidance, drainage requirements and the roles and responsibilities of relevant authorities and regulators. Experience of working with the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities, planning authorities and water companies would be advantageous.
Experience should include the preparation and technical review of Flood Risk Assessments, drainage strategies and supporting planning documentation. You should be able to assess flood risk from multiple sources, understand the implications of climate change and advise on suitable mitigation, drainage and resilience measures.
A good understanding of sustainable drainage principles and their application to development proposals is essential. Experience of drainage design, hydraulic modelling, surface water management, flood alleviation, natural flood management or water quality assessment would be beneficial.
You will have experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary project team and managing your own workload across several projects. Experience of coordinating technical inputs, supervising junior staff and reviewing work for quality and accuracy is expected.
Excellent report writing, presentation and interpersonal skills are essential. You will be confident engaging with clients and external stakeholders, responding to technical queries and explaining complex issues in a clear and proportionate manner.
Experience of major development, regeneration, residential, commercial, energy, transport or infrastructure projects would be beneficial. Knowledge of Environmental Impact Assessment, Development Consent Orders, planning appeals, strategic flood risk assessment or statutory consultation processes would also be advantageous.
A degree in a relevant discipline and Chartered or working towards Chartered status with CIWEM or another relevant professional body would be advantageous. A full UK driving licence and the ability to travel to project sites, client offices and meetings are required. Eligibility for security clearance may be advantageous, depending on the project portfolio.
Working Environment
This role will ideally be based in Bristol, Leeds, London or Manchester although other UK locations may be considered. Hybrid working is supported, with a balance of home, office and project-based working.
Projects will be located across the UK, so occasional travel to client meetings, project sites, planning meetings, site inspections and team meetings will be required. The role may also require flexibility in working hours to support project delivery, stakeholder engagement and key submission deadlines.
What We Offer
. click apply for full job details
This is an opportunity for an experienced consultant to take technical ownership of projects, provide trusted advice to clients and stakeholders, and contribute to the continued growth and development of a collaborative and technically strong team.
Purpose & Scope of the Role
As a Senior or Principal Flood Risk and Drainage Consultant, you will lead and contribute to a varied portfolio of projects involving flood risk assessment, drainage strategies and sustainable water management. You will provide clear, practical and technically robust advice to support due diligence, masterplanning, planning applications, development consent processes and wider environmental and infrastructure projects.
Your work will include preparing, reviewing and overseeing Flood Risk Assessments, drainage strategies, surface water management plans, sequential and exception test documentation, flood risk statements and supporting technical reports. You will assess flood risk from fluvial, tidal, surface water, groundwater, sewer and artificial sources, and develop proportionate mitigation and management measures.
You will bring sound knowledge of sustainable drainage systems, surface water runoff assessment, discharge rates, climate change allowances, exceedance routing, drainage constraints and water quality considerations. You will also be expected to interpret hydraulic modelling outputs and other flood risk information to inform technical advice, assess development constraints and support the development of deliverable solutions.
Working closely with planners, environmental consultants, engineers, architects, project managers and developers, you will help ensure that flood risk and drainage considerations are integrated effectively into project design and decision-making.
You will engage directly with clients, local planning authorities, Lead Local Flood Authorities, the Environment Agency, Internal Drainage Boards, water companies and other stakeholders. You will support technical discussions, respond to consultations and queries, attend meetings and workshops, and help shape project strategy.
The role will also involve project management, fee proposals, tender submissions, technical leadership, quality assurance and the mentoring and development of junior colleagues.
Your Impact in this position
You will play a key role in helping clients progress development and infrastructure projects through the planning and assessment process. Your technical advice will support the delivery of safe, sustainable and policy-compliant schemes that appropriately manage flood risk and surface water.
Through your project leadership and technical input, you will help improve the quality and consistency of project delivery, strengthen client relationships and contribute to the growth of the Flood Risk and Sustainable Water Management team.
You will also support the development of less experienced colleagues by sharing your knowledge, reviewing technical work and providing practical guidance on flood risk assessment, drainage strategy and sustainable water management.
Core Capabilities
Flood Risk Assessment and Technical Advice
Strong experience in preparing and reviewing Flood Risk Assessments, drainage strategies and related flood risk documentation for planning, environmental and infrastructure projects. You will be able to identify flood risk constraints, assess the suitability of development proposals and recommend proportionate, practical and technically defensible mitigation measures.
Drainage and Sustainable Water Management
Strong experience and understanding of surface water drainage, sustainable drainage systems, runoff calculations, discharge restrictions, attenuation, exceedance flows, water quality and the wider water environment. You will be able to develop and appraise drainage strategies that respond to site constraints, regulatory requirements, climate change and the principles of sustainable development.
Hydraulic Modelling and Flood Risk Data
Experience of interpreting hydraulic modelling outputs, flood maps, topographic information, drainage records and other technical data. Experience of using or reviewing outputs from industry-standard software packages, such as Flood Modeller, TUFLOW, InfoWorks ICM, MicroDrainage or equivalent, would be beneficial.
Planning and Environmental Assessment
Experience supporting projects through the planning system, including the preparation of technical inputs for planning applications, Environmental Impact Assessments, Development Consent Orders and other statutory or regulatory submissions. You will understand the relationship between flood risk, drainage, planning policy, environmental constraints and development design.
Project Delivery and Quality Assurance
Ability to manage and deliver technical workstreams, coordinate inputs from project teams, monitor budgets and programmes, and ensure that project outputs are accurate, proportionate and fit for purpose. You will be comfortable reviewing technical reports and providing constructive feedback to colleagues.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
Confident communicator with strong written and verbal communication skills. You will be able to present technical information clearly to clients, design teams, planning authorities, regulators and other stakeholders, including audiences who may not have a technical background.
Teamwork, Mentoring and Professional Growth
A collaborative and proactive approach, with the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and support the development of junior colleagues. You will contribute to a positive team culture and help share good practice across the business.
Commercial Awareness and Business Development
Awareness of project budgets, scope management and the commercial requirements of consultancy delivery. You will contribute to fee proposals, tender submissions, client presentations, business development activities and the development of long-term client relationships.
Skills, Qualifications & Experience
You will have substantial experience in flood risk assessment, drainage, sustainable water management or a related environmental consultancy discipline, preferably gained within a UK planning, development or infrastructure context.
You will be expected to have a strong working knowledge of UK flood risk management policy, planning guidance, drainage requirements and the roles and responsibilities of relevant authorities and regulators. Experience of working with the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities, planning authorities and water companies would be advantageous.
Experience should include the preparation and technical review of Flood Risk Assessments, drainage strategies and supporting planning documentation. You should be able to assess flood risk from multiple sources, understand the implications of climate change and advise on suitable mitigation, drainage and resilience measures.
A good understanding of sustainable drainage principles and their application to development proposals is essential. Experience of drainage design, hydraulic modelling, surface water management, flood alleviation, natural flood management or water quality assessment would be beneficial.
You will have experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary project team and managing your own workload across several projects. Experience of coordinating technical inputs, supervising junior staff and reviewing work for quality and accuracy is expected.
Excellent report writing, presentation and interpersonal skills are essential. You will be confident engaging with clients and external stakeholders, responding to technical queries and explaining complex issues in a clear and proportionate manner.
Experience of major development, regeneration, residential, commercial, energy, transport or infrastructure projects would be beneficial. Knowledge of Environmental Impact Assessment, Development Consent Orders, planning appeals, strategic flood risk assessment or statutory consultation processes would also be advantageous.
A degree in a relevant discipline and Chartered or working towards Chartered status with CIWEM or another relevant professional body would be advantageous. A full UK driving licence and the ability to travel to project sites, client offices and meetings are required. Eligibility for security clearance may be advantageous, depending on the project portfolio.
Working Environment
This role will ideally be based in Bristol, Leeds, London or Manchester although other UK locations may be considered. Hybrid working is supported, with a balance of home, office and project-based working.
Projects will be located across the UK, so occasional travel to client meetings, project sites, planning meetings, site inspections and team meetings will be required. The role may also require flexibility in working hours to support project delivery, stakeholder engagement and key submission deadlines.
What We Offer
. click apply for full job details