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, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Be part of a growing team with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water resources while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in water resources management and strong communication skills.
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:
- 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
Associate Director - Water Resources in Manchester employer: APEM
APEM is an exceptional employer for those passionate about water resources management, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and professional growth. As an Associate Director in the Freshwater Ecosystems division, you will lead impactful projects while mentoring a talented team, all within a supportive environment that values innovation and continuous improvement. With a focus on delivering high-quality outcomes for clients across the UK and Ireland, APEM provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the field of freshwater ecosystems.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director - Water Resources in Manchester
✨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 potential employers and showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully led teams and delivered complex projects in the past. Show them you can bring confidence and clarity to their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of a strong online presence. Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your experience in water resources management and engage with relevant content. This can help you get noticed by recruiters looking for someone just like you!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Tailor your application to highlight your collaborative leadership style and technical expertise in water resources – it’ll make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director - Water Resources in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Water Resources:Make sure to express your enthusiasm for water resources management in your application. We want to see how your experience aligns with our mission and how you can contribute to our team’s success.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:Since this role is all about leading teams, don’t forget to showcase your leadership style. Share examples of how you've supported and mentored others, and how you’ve helped teams thrive during challenging times.
Be Specific About Your Technical Expertise:We’re looking for someone with a strong technical background, so be specific about your experience with hydrological assessments, drought planning, and other relevant projects. Use clear examples to demonstrate your skills.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to review your application and get you on board with our fantastic team!
How to prepare for a job interview at APEM
✨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 environmental 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 in others, especially during challenging times. This will highlight your collaborative approach and ability to lead effectively.
✨Communicate Clearly
Strong communication skills are key for this position. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially when discussing complex topics. You might even want to prepare a few questions to ask the interviewers about their team culture and ways of working, showing your interest in collaboration.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with the current challenges in water resources management, particularly in the UK context. Being able to discuss how you can contribute to strategic growth and project delivery will demonstrate your commercial awareness and understanding of the industry landscape.
