Senior Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant - Remote
Senior Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant - Remote

Senior Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant - Remote

Full-Time 45000 - 55000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Acapella Recruitment

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead flood risk assessments and drainage strategies for diverse clients across the UK.
  • Company: Independent consultancy focused on flood risk, water, and environment with a strong reputation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work, flexible hours, and support for professional development.
  • Other info: Join a supportive team with opportunities for chartership and visible career progression.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in flood risk management while driving your own career growth.
  • Qualifications: 6+ years in flood risk consultancy, strong report writing, and GIS proficiency required.

The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.

Fully Remote (UK) £45,000 – £55,000 depending on experience Permanent Reports to: Director / Principal

About the company

Our client is an independent specialist consultancy working in UK flood risk, water and environment. They're small enough that every consultant has visible impact, and their work spans residential developments to nationally significant infrastructure. Their reputation is built on rigorous technical analysis, careful problem-solving, and unlocking development potential on sites where flood risk is a central planning consideration.

Why this company? Why Now?

They're growing — not for the sake of headcount, but because their project pipeline demands it. Recent work across complex development sites, public sector flood defence schemes and international commissions means they're adding another senior consultant to the team. Above all, they're looking for someone who wants to come in and drive their own career — not wait for it.

What sets them apart

  • Niche focus, national impact. Water, flood risk and environment are the entire business — not a service line bolted onto something larger.
  • Your name on the work. Senior consultants here build direct client relationships, present findings to planning committees, and become a recognised face in the industry.
  • Innovation is embedded. They develop proprietary tools like FloodMetric, adopt current modelling techniques, and actively invest in technology. If you have an idea that improves how they work, you'll be heard.
  • Genuine flexibility. Fully remote with truly flexible hours. Their team spans the UK and they care about deliverables, not presenteeism.
  • Career progression you can see. In a team of this size your contribution is visible from day one. Principal and leadership pathways are open to those who demonstrate the capability — and they'll actively support you through chartership, CPD and the company Academy.

The Role

As a Senior Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant, you'll manage, coordinate and deliver Flood Risk Assessments and Drainage Strategies for a range of clients — from private developers working through complex EA flood zones to local authorities seeking robust technical evidence. You'll lead on technically demanding projects, direct junior team members, and think independently about how best to approach the brief.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Lead the production and technical review of Flood Risk Assessments and Surface Water Drainage Strategies, ensuring compliance with NPPF, TAN15 and/or NPF4 as appropriate.
  • Interpret EA, NRW, SEPA, LLFA and third-party datasets to develop evidence-based flood risk conclusions and identify practical solutions for clients.
  • Where appropriate, develop the technical case for revised flood zone designations through detailed modelling, topographic analysis and engagement with regulators.
  • Support feasibility studies at the early stages of development, identifying constraints and the routes through them.
  • Manage multiple concurrent projects to programme, budget and quality expectations.
  • Develop and maintain client and stakeholder relationships as a trusted technical advisor.
  • Mentor and review the work of junior consultants and graduates, supporting their technical development.
  • Support business development through fee proposals, scope development and client presentations.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of internal tools, templates and technical processes.

About You

They're looking for a consultant who combines technical depth with the commercial awareness to understand what the data means for a client's project — and who's ready to take ownership of their own development rather than wait to be promoted.

Essential

  • A minimum of 6 years' UK consultancy experience in flood risk, with at least 1 year at senior level.
  • Working knowledge of NPPF and associated planning practice guidance; familiarity with TAN15 and/or NPF4 is an advantage.
  • Strong technical report writing — clear, concise and well-reasoned.
  • Confident interpretation of third-party datasets (EA Product 4/8, LLFA data, historical records) to derive design flood levels and inform planning decisions.
  • BSc or higher in Geography, Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline.
  • GIS proficiency (ArcGIS, QGIS or MapInfo).
  • Experience managing and mentoring junior team members.
  • A track record of direct client liaison and the ability to advise non-technical stakeholders clearly.
  • Experience reviewing and signing off work produced by others.

Desirable

  • Experience with InfoDrainage, MicroDrainage or equivalent drainage design software.
  • Knowledge of the drainage hierarchy and experience producing SuDS-based drainage strategies.
  • AutoCAD proficiency.
  • Hydraulic modelling experience (Flood Modeller, TUFLOW, HEC-RAS).
  • Chartered or working towards chartership with CIWEM, ICE or equivalent.
  • Experience preparing or supporting expert witness statements or planning appeals.

What They Offer

  • Salary - £45,000 – £55,000, depending on experience.
  • Pension - Employer-matched pension via salary sacrifice.
  • Health insurance - Provided following successful probation.
  • Working pattern - Fully remote with genuine flexible hours.
  • CPD & development - Support through the company Academy, external courses, conferences and networking events.
  • Chartership - Active support towards CIWEM, ICE or equivalent chartership.
  • Project variety - UK-wide projects spanning residential, major development, public sector flood defence and international commissions.
  • Culture - A supportive, inclusive team with a trained mental health first aider and regular social events.

Ready to Be Known for Your Work? Please send your CV and a short introduction. A formal cover letter isn't necessary — a few paragraphs about your experience, the projects you've enjoyed most, and why this opportunity interests you is plenty. If you don't meet every desirable criterion but feel the role is a good fit, please still apply.

Senior Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant - Remote employer: Acapella Recruitment

Our client is an exceptional employer, offering a fully remote working environment that prioritises flexibility and work-life balance. With a strong focus on employee growth, they provide active support for chartership and professional development through their company Academy, ensuring that every consultant has the opportunity to make a significant impact on meaningful projects across the UK. The inclusive culture fosters collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for professionals eager to drive their own careers in flood risk and environmental consultancy.
Acapella Recruitment

Contact Detail:

Acapella Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant - Remote

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the flood risk and drainage sector. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best work, especially projects that align with flood risk assessments and drainage strategies. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your hands-on experience.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your technical knowledge and how it applies to real-world scenarios. This will boost your confidence and help you nail those tricky questions.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’re all about making connections, so don’t hesitate to submit your application directly. Tailor your introduction to highlight why you’re a great fit for the Senior Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant role, and let’s get you noticed!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant - Remote

Flood Risk Assessment
Drainage Strategy Development
Technical Report Writing
Data Interpretation
Client Relationship Management
Project Management
Mentoring and Team Leadership
GIS Proficiency (ArcGIS, QGIS, MapInfo)
Knowledge of NPPF, TAN15, NPF4
Experience with Drainage Design Software (InfoDrainage, MicroDrainage)
Hydraulic Modelling Experience (Flood Modeller, TUFLOW, HEC-RAS)
Chartered or Working Towards Chartership (CIWEM, ICE)
Problem-Solving Skills
Commercial Awareness

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you tick.

Tailor Your Message: Make sure to align your skills and experiences with what we’re looking for in the job description. Highlight your relevant experience in flood risk and drainage, and show us how you can make an impact!

Keep It Concise: We appreciate clarity and brevity. A few well-crafted paragraphs about your experience and why this role excites you is all we need. No need for a lengthy cover letter—just get to the point!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Acapella Recruitment

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of flood risk assessments and drainage strategies. Familiarise yourself with the NPPF, TAN15, and NPF4 guidelines, as well as any relevant datasets like EA Product 4/8. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're serious about the role.

✨Showcase Your Experience

Prepare to talk about your past projects in detail. Highlight your experience managing multiple projects, mentoring junior team members, and liaising with clients. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've tackled challenges and delivered results, as this will resonate with the consultancy's focus on visible impact.

✨Be Ready to Innovate

This company values innovation, so think about how you can contribute to their proprietary tools or processes. Come prepared with ideas on how to improve existing methods or introduce new ones. This shows initiative and aligns with their culture of continuous improvement.

✨Engage and Ask Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's projects, culture, and future direction. This not only demonstrates your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you. Plus, it shows that you’re ready to take ownership of your career.

Senior Flood Risk & Drainage Consultant - Remote
Acapella Recruitment

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>