Groundwater Manager in Birmingham

Base salary: £54,878pa to c£64,562pa depending on skills and experience. In addition, we offer a flexible benefits fund of 20% which is paid on top of base salary and is fully pensionable, as well as a range of competitive benefits.

About the role

As a Groundwater Manager at HS2 you will be responsible for leading and managing the delivery of groundwater compliance under the High‑Speed Rail Act(s), associated Environmental Minimum Requirements and all other relevant requirements and standards. This role ensures that the extensive groundwater and related water resources commitments, mitigation measures and undertakings are effectively managed and delivered for the delivery of the railway.

• Provide professional leadership and technical advice for the delivery of groundwater and broader water resources compliance across the business.
• Design and deliver specific workstreams in groundwater and other aspects of water resources to ensure that statutory and other requirements are met fully and within agreed timescales.
• Liaise and develop good working relationships with HS2's Integrated Project Teams delivering the scheme.
• Liaise closely with other disciplines, in particular contaminated land experts, geotechnical engineers, ecologists and utilities teams on water resources and groundwater.
• Develop good working relationships and negotiate with consultants, contractors, the Environment Agency, local authorities and water companies.
• Develop and deliver effective ways of working with internal and external stakeholders to encourage interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches.
• Provide assurance of contractor deliverables against Technical Standards in advance of construction to ensure the HS2 mitigates its impact on water resources and groundwater.
• Support the Head of Water Resources, Waste & Flood Risk in managing deliverables, forward planning and engagement with external and internal stakeholders.
• Input to compliance checks and audit visits to record contractor compliance with groundwater and related requirements and commitments, with the provision of constructive review and feedback.
• Influence and coach colleagues and the wider supply chain to ensure that groundwater and related issues receive due consideration in project decision making and management.
• Actively promote and embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all your work, and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures.

About You

• Technical expertise in hydrogeology, groundwater protection and monitoring.
• Hydrogeological Risk Management – identifying, assessing and managing hydrogeological risks throughout design and construction phases of large‑scale projects.
• Technical expertise – delivering and securing consent for groundwater‑related works on complex sites.
• Ability to communicate and negotiate clearly and effectively with a wide range of multidisciplinary stakeholders such as environmental/engineering specialists, contractors and regulators.
• Organisational skills, with the ability to adapt and prioritise tasks while working on a fast‑moving project.
• Ability to work well under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Problem solving – analyse complex problems.

• Knowledge of UK water and environmental legislation, policy and practice relating to groundwater protection and the Water Framework Directive.
• Knowledge of the design and implementation of mitigation measures for water resources and groundwater issues on large‑scale complex projects.
• Knowledge of the consenting/permitting regimes for groundwater and broader water resources issues.
• Knowledge of related disciplines such as Water Framework Directive compliance, drainage, contaminated land and ecology.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of cost delivery, programme and the need to deliver integrated, high‑quality solutions that meet all design and functional requirements.

• Experience of leading on environmental and groundwater assessment and design on large or complex infrastructure/engineering projects.
• Experience in environmental management.
• Site/ construction experience within large or complex infrastructure projects.
• Experience of carrying out technical checks, reviews and assurance on complex infrastructure projects.
• Experience with design and implementation of water resources assessment strategies such as pumping tests.
• Experience in project managing complex programmes and delivering outcomes to time, cost and quality requirements.

The post‑holder is expected to behave at all times in a manner consistent with the HS2 values of Safety, Leadership, Integrity and Respect. It is expected that you will actively promote and embed Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all your work and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures on EDI.

As HS2 Ltd do not hold a sponsorship license from the Home Office, we are not able to provide sponsorship to any applicant. Applicants must already have the Right to Work in the UK at the time of application and our process involves a Right to Work validation prior to the interview stage. Note, there are certain types of time‑bound visas that we cannot accept. Any offers made to applicants will be subject to satisfactory completion of pre‑employment checks which include Nationality & Immigration Status, employment references, DBS, Financial and Education checks.