At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead diverse water resources projects and mentor a dynamic team.
- Company: Join APEM, a respected leader in freshwater consultancy.
- Benefits: Flexible working, professional development, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive team with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental projects while shaping team culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in water resources management and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Are you an experienced water resources professional who enjoys leading teams as much as delivering high-quality technical work? Do you thrive helping others build confidence, capability and consistency while ensuring complex projects are delivered successfully? This is a key leadership role within a growing and evolving team. While strategic growth and direction are important, the immediate priority for this role is ensuring the effective delivery of work which includes supporting the team, maintaining momentum across projects and helping create stability, confidence and capability during a period of change and growth.
You’ll lead the delivery of a diverse portfolio of water resources projects, spanning hydrological assessments, drought and WRMP support, abstraction impact assessments, water resources modelling and strategic planning studies. Our work supports water companies, regulators and infrastructure clients to better understand risk, improve resilience and make informed, evidence‑led decisions.
Alongside technical leadership, a major part of this role is people leadership. You’ll work closely with an established but developing team, supporting and mentoring colleagues at different stages of their careers. This role would suit someone with a rounded technical background and a collaborative leadership style; someone who enjoys bringing people together, building confidence and helping teams perform at their best. This is an opportunity to play a visible role within a highly respected freshwater business at a time of continued growth across the UK and Ireland.
Responsibilities- Leading the delivery of complex water resources and hydrology projects to time, budget and quality standards
- Supporting and mentoring team members, helping build capability, confidence and consistency across the team
- Providing technical leadership across areas such as WRMP, drought planning, abstraction assessments and strategic studies
- Working closely with water companies, regulators and infrastructure clients to provide clear, evidence‑led advice
- Supporting resource planning and ensuring projects are effectively coordinated and delivered
- Contributing to tenders, business development and client relationship management
- Supporting collaborative working across Freshwater Ecosystems and the wider Water business
- Helping shape and strengthen team culture, ways of working and continuous improvement
We are focused on creating a diverse and inclusive team. If you can’t tick every box on our job description, then we are still keen to hear from you and are open to supporting your development. That may be working part time or supporting you to gain experience in a specific area – we are a growing company and are able to adapt roles to reflect individual skills.
Qualifications- Significant professional experience within water resources management, hydrology or a related discipline within a UK setting
- Strong technical understanding of water resources planning, drought planning and associated environmental assessments
- Experience leading and delivering complex consultancy projects
- A collaborative and supportive leadership style, with experience mentoring or managing others
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience working with water companies, regulators or infrastructure clients
- Commercial awareness and understanding of project delivery and financial performance
- The ability to create confidence and clarity within teams during periods of change and growth
- Chartered status or equivalent professional accreditation
- Experience with water resource modelling tools and approaches
- Knowledge of climate resilience and catchment‑based approaches
- Experience contributing to strategic growth and business development
- International consultancy experience
At APEM, we combine technical excellence with flexibility and wellbeing. Our Freshwater Ecosystems division delivers high‑quality consultancy services across water resources, hydrology, aquatic ecology and environmental assessment, supporting some of the UK and Ireland’s most significant environmental and infrastructure programmes. As part of the APEM Group, we continue to grow our freshwater capability and strengthen our position as a trusted partner to water companies, regulators and infrastructure clients. This role offers the opportunity to shape not only projects and client relationships, but also the future capability and culture of the team itself.
Associate Director - Water Resources in Birtley employer: APEM Ltd
APEM is an exceptional employer that prioritises both technical excellence and employee wellbeing, making it an ideal place for professionals in the water resources sector. With a strong focus on mentorship and collaborative leadership, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to impactful projects that enhance environmental resilience across the UK and Ireland. The inclusive work culture fosters diversity and adaptability, ensuring that every team member can thrive during periods of change and growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director - Water Resources in Birtley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the water resources field. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience with hydrological assessments and drought planning. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and delivered projects successfully.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a role that fits your skills, apply through our website. Tailor your approach to showcase how your collaborative leadership style can help build confidence and capability within the team. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely excited about contributing to our growth!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you would handle periods of change and growth within a team. Be ready to discuss your strategies for maintaining momentum across projects and how you’ve supported colleagues in their development. Confidence is key!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director - Water Resources in Birtley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in water resources management and leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Leadership Style:Since this role is all about leading teams, share examples of how you've supported and mentored others in your previous roles. We love a collaborative approach, so let us know how you bring people together and build confidence within your team.
Highlight Technical Expertise:Don’t forget to emphasise your technical knowledge in areas like WRMP, drought planning, and hydrology. We’re looking for someone who can deliver high-quality work, so make sure to include any relevant projects or tools you’ve used.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our growing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at APEM Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to water resources management and hydrology. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving WRMP, drought planning, and abstraction assessments. This will show that you not only understand the theory but also have practical experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Since this role involves a lot of people leadership, think about examples where you've successfully mentored or supported team members. Be prepared to share how you build confidence and capability within your team, especially during challenging times. This will highlight your collaborative approach and ability to lead effectively.
✨Engage with the Company’s Vision
Familiarise yourself with APEM's mission and values, particularly their focus on diversity and inclusion. During the interview, express how you align with these values and how you can contribute to creating a positive team culture. This shows that you're not just interested in the role, but also in being part of the company's growth.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific challenges, such as managing project delivery under tight deadlines or navigating changes within the team. Think through your past experiences and be ready to discuss how you’ve successfully tackled similar situations. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and adaptability.
