Associate Director of Water - Flood risk

Associate Director - Water Location: London or Kent (Hybrid Working Available) Salary: Competitive + Benefits A leading environmental and engineering consultancy is seeking an experienced Associate Director to help lead and grow its established Water team. This is an outstanding opportunity for a senior flood risk and drainage professional looking to take the next step into a strategic leadership role, combining technical excellence, team management, business development and operational oversight. The Opportunity Working closely with the Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the Water business, leading a multidisciplinary team delivering high-quality consultancy services across: * Flood Risk Assessments * Drainage Strategy and Sustainable Drainage (SuDS) * Hydrology and Hydraulic Modelling * Numerical Flood Modelling * Water Management and Environmental Consultancy You will enjoy significant autonomy in the day-to-day management of the team while contributing to wider business strategy, operational planning and sector growth. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Management * Lead, mentor and develop a growing team of technical specialists. * Manage resources and workloads across multiple offices. * Undertake performance reviews, objective setting and staff development planning. * Support recruitment activities and participate in senior hiring decisions. * Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture. Technical Leadership * Provide expert guidance on flood risk management, drainage and hydrological assessments. * Oversee the preparation and review of complex technical reports and calculations. * Support the delivery of major projects and assist senior colleagues with challenging technical issues. * Maintain awareness of emerging legislation, policy and technical developments across the sector. * Ensure best practice is embedded throughout project delivery. Commercial & Strategic Responsibilities * Support business planning, operational improvements and service development. * Lead the preparation and review of fee proposals and tender submissions. * Monitor team performance against financial and operational targets. * Contribute to forecasting, budgeting and resource planning. * Support business development initiatives, networking and industry engagement. About You We are keen to hear from professionals who can demonstrate: * A minimum of 8 years' UK consultancy experience in flood risk, drainage or water management. * Strong technical expertise in flood risk assessment and hydrology. * Experience managing projects, clients and multidisciplinary teams. * Commercial awareness and an understanding of consultancy operations. * Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. * Experience mentoring and developing technical staff. * A proactive, organised and solutions-focused approach. Technical Experience Experience in some or all of the following would be advantageous: * Flood Risk Assessments * Hydrological Assessments * Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) * GIS * FEH, WINFAP and ReFH2 * TUFLOW * Flood Modeller Qualifications * Degree qualified in a relevant discipline such as Flood Risk Management, Water Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science or a related subject. * Postgraduate qualifications are welcomed but not essential. Why Apply? This role offers the opportunity to influence the direction of a respected consultancy's Water division while maintaining involvement in technically challenging and meaningful projects. You will join a collaborative leadership team with genuine opportunities to shape services, mentor future talent and contribute to business growth. For a confidential discussion or to learn more, please get in touch. About us: Allen & York have been matching purposeful people with purpose-led organisations for 30 years. We partner with our clients and candidates on roles that build an understanding of climate change, promote sustainability and create inclusive and responsible organisations, working towards a sustainable world for us all. Committed to inclusiveness in the workplace, we aim to increase diversity across all areas and therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, or whether or not they have a disability. Let's help build a better world, together....