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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead diverse water resources projects and mentor a dynamic team.
- Company: Join APEM's Freshwater Ecosystems division, a respected leader in water management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive team culture with support for personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water sustainability while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in water resources management and strong leadership abilities.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
About The Role
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? We’re looking for an Associate Director – Water Resources to join APEM’s Freshwater Ecosystems division. 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.
What you’ll be doing:
- 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
What we’re looking for:
You’ll need to bring:
- 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
It’s a bonus if you have:
- 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
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.
Associate Director - Water Resources employer: APEM
Contact Detail:
APEM Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director - Water Resources
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the water resources field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. Attend industry events or webinars to meet new people and make a lasting impression.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in mentoring and supporting teams. They want to see that you can lead effectively while delivering high-quality work.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your job search! Instead of just waiting for roles to pop up, reach out directly to companies you admire, like APEM. Express your interest and ask about upcoming opportunities – you never know what might come up!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’re always looking for talented individuals who can contribute to our growing team. Make sure your application reflects your passion for water resources and your collaborative spirit.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director - Water Resources
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Associate Director - Water Resources role. Highlight your leadership experience and technical expertise in water resources management to grab our attention!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about water resources and how your collaborative leadership style can benefit our team. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of projects you've led or contributed to, especially those that demonstrate your ability to deliver complex consultancy work successfully.
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 the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at APEM
✨Know Your Water Resources Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of water resources management and hydrology. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving drought planning and environmental assessments. This will show that you have the technical expertise they’re looking for.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Since this role involves mentoring and leading a team, think about examples where you've successfully supported others in their development. Share stories that highlight your collaborative approach and how you've built confidence within your team during challenging times.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Strong communication skills are key for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly, especially when discussing complex topics like water resources modelling or stakeholder management. Remember, it’s not just about what you say, but how you say it!
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about how you would handle project delivery challenges or support your team during periods of change. Having a few examples ready will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and adaptability.