Driving innovative flood and drainage solutions through expert investigation, programme delivery, and resilient infrastructure management.
Senior Drainage Engineer
Matlock
3 month rolling contract
Remote working, 2 days per week in office
Inside IR35
About the Role
We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Drainage Engineer to lead the operational delivery of flood and drainage services. This role acts as a technical authority within drainage engineering, responsible for managing complex site investigations, developing engineering solutions, and ensuring high-quality delivery across a diverse portfolio of drainage and flood risk projects.
The post holder will lead a team, act as a subject matter expert, and play a key role in stakeholder engagement, contract management, and service improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Delivery
- Lead site investigations and develop technical solutions for complex drainage and flood risk issues
- Provide expert engineering advice on highway drainage infrastructure
- Lead delivery of commissioned drainage and flood risk interventions
- Act as subject matter expert in drainage engineering across the service area
- Champion innovation and continuous improvement in engineering delivery methods
Operational & Programme Management
- Manage operational delivery of all commissioned flood and drainage activities to meet scope, budget, and time requirements
- Act as accountable officer for day-to-day delivery of programmes, projects, and tasks
- Develop and oversee delivery schedules, risk management, and programme governance
- Contribute to annual delivery plans and Value for Money improvement initiatives
Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
- Deputise for the Flood & Drainage Delivery Manager in public forums, stakeholder groups, and partnership meetings
- Liaise effectively with water companies, the Environment Agency, and key partners
- Ensure timely, clear, and appropriate communication with internal and external stakeholders
Contract & Procurement Management
- Support procurement strategy development and manage procurement pipelines
- Administer and manage NEC and other contracts, including acting as Supervisor where required
- Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions where necessary
- Ensure value for money across all external and internal services
Financial & Risk Management
- Track expenditure, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with financial procedures
- Develop accurate forecasting, cost tracking, and contingency management
- Maintain and review risk registers and lead collaborative risk reviews
Leadership & Service Improvement
- Supervise and support emergency response works, including out-of-hours standby arrangements
- Promote a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Use customer and stakeholder feedback to enhance service delivery and technical processes
- Escalate operational risks and issues appropriately to senior management
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Champion health and safety across all commissioned services
- Act as Principal Designer in compliance with CDM Regulations
- Ensure adherence to best practice project management and regulatory standards
- Support effective carbon management within project delivery
About You
You will be an experienced drainage or civil engineering professional with strong expertise in:
- Highway drainage and flood risk management
- Site investigation and technical problem solving
- NEC contracts and supplier management
- Stakeholder engagement and multi-agency working
- Programme, budget, and risk management in complex environments
At First Recruitment Group we understand just how important it is to secure the right people. That is why our Recruitment Consultants always take the time to understand requirements in detail and offer sound advice to both clients and candidates.
We actively recruit at all levels and this is a superb opportunity for a Senior Drainage Engineer looking for new employment.
