Water Consultant in Birmingham

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world. We work across the entire water cycle, with utilities, local and regional governments, commercial and domestic water users and other partners. From designing and maintaining key water infrastructure to advising on natural catchments and flood defences, we help clients to consider the long-term economic, environmental and social dimensions of their proposals.

We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic Water Consultant to support our growing workload in flood risk management and flood risk assessment. You will play an important role in delivering projects for major clients across the Midlands, including the Environment Agency and National Grid.

In this role, you will collaborate with Arup colleagues across a wide range of specialisms — including flood and coastal risk management, water companies, regulatory teams, infrastructure and water advisory, dams and reservoirs, site development, sustainability, and environmental planning — to deliver high‑quality work to agreed scope, timescales and budgets. You will help strengthen our existing client relationships, support the technical and commercial delivery of projects, and contribute to multidisciplinary assignments that span consultancy and research. You will also play a part in integrating our broad water‑sector expertise into cohesive, value‑adding project outcomes.

As part of our supportive team environment, you will be mentored by experienced colleagues and encouraged to develop your skills and professional capabilities. We will fully support your journey toward Chartership with the relevant professional institution. This role offers the opportunity to work alongside leading experts from across Arup, contributing to high‑impact work that improves resilience, sustainability and outcomes for communities and clients across the UK.

If you have all or some of the skills and experience below, and a passion for making a difference in the water sector - we’d love to hear from you.

• Experience in delivering Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) and planning inputs for public‑ and private‑sector clients, translating hydrology/hydraulic evidence into clear, decision‑ready reports.
• Experience in delivering or reviewing drainage strategies that promote sustainable development.
• Experience in the management and assessment of water quality as part of flood risk management or water‑related projects.
• Experience supporting option appraisal and business cases and contributing to fluvial or coastal solutions from concept through to outline and detailed design alongside senior engineers.
• Ability to analyse datasets and modelling outputs (hydrology, hydraulics, GIS), draw defensible conclusions, and communicate them clearly to non‑technical audiences.
• Ability to build, maintain and manage strong long‑term relationships within Arup and with clients and stakeholders.
• Commercially savvy, with effective, open and confident communication skills.
• Working towards chartered membership of a relevant professional body.

• Good awareness of Environment Agency and Flood Risk Management processes.
• Experience in contributing to Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) with a focus on water or flood risk.
• Understanding of the legislative, policy and guidance frameworks governing FRA and water‑related EIA.
• Knowledge and some experience of sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and natural flood management approaches.

At Arup, we care about each member's success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all our members can belong, grow and thrive through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

Different people, shared values. Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave.