Associate / Associate Director Flood Risk and Drainage in Birmingham

MEC is a multi-disciplinary engineering and environmental consultancy, delivering services for private and public sector projects across residential, commercial, industrial, retail, leisure, education, and healthcare. Operating nationally from offices in Leicestershire, Birmingham and Brighton, we provide expert guidance across a wide range of sectors.

We are seeking an Associate / Associate Director to join and help lead our Flood Risk and Drainage discipline. The role can be based from any of our offices, but will ideally be based in either London or Birmingham. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the continued growth of the team, taking responsibility for developing client relationships, leading projects, supporting and mentoring colleagues, and helping shape the future direction of the discipline. This is a permanent position.

Whilst our core client base is within the residential development sector, we also support a broad range of commercial, infrastructure and public sector projects. With a strong pipeline of work and ambitious growth plans, we are looking for an experienced professional who can combine technical excellence with commercial awareness and a collaborative approach to leadership.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious individual looking to take the next step in their career or build on an existing leadership role. You will play an important part in developing the discipline, strengthening our client base, mentoring and developing the team, identifying new business opportunities, and working closely with colleagues across our multidisciplinary business to deliver integrated engineering solutions. If you're passionate about delivering high-quality projects, developing people, building lasting client relationships and contributing to the growth of a successful consultancy, we'd love to hear from you.

About the role:

The Associate Director will take strategic responsibility for the Geo-Environmental discipline, leading its technical, commercial and operational performance across MEC. The role combines senior leadership, project oversight and business development, with accountability for team growth, service quality and long-term discipline development.

Title Responsibilities:

• Responsible for building and leading a team over multiple offices, acting as the ‘discipline lead.’
• Enable effective collaboration across offices to ensure consistency and high-quality delivery.
• Assist the Directors with business operations to meet the productivity and growth aspirations of the company.
• Attend meetings with clients, development teams, other disciplines and relevant third-parties.
• Deliver high service levels to clients and secure repeat business/future opportunities for the company.
• Ensure the delivery of high quality and technically accurate calculations, technical documents, reports and correspondence to clients within agreed timeframes and budgets.
• Adherence to 2-stage checking procedures, in accordance with company procedures.
• Regular communication both internally and externally, obtaining feedback on performance from clients, agreeing fee proposals and timescales.
• Compliance with Designer’s responsibilities under the Construction (Design & Management) Regulations 2015. Maintain a valid CSCS card. Working understanding of site/construction safety.
• Working nationally across the UK, including additional hours if necessary, to supervise site works and attend meetings and events to enable the delivery of all responsibilities.

Project Management Responsibilities:

• Management of projects across a range of sectors and, where instructed by a Director, across multiple disciplines.
• Effective management to company standards including administration, client liaison, quality, fee proposals, budgeting, resource management, team briefing and invoicing.
• Management of clients and projects, including regular communication, attendance at meetings, obtaining feedback on performance, agreeing fee proposals and timescales.
• Monthly invoicing and Work in Progress (WIP) management.
• Managing applicable project finances, ensuring projects operate within agreed budgets.

Team Responsibilities:

• On-site investigations, such as walkovers and infiltration testing.
• Hydrological analysis and calculations.
• Production and checking of technical reports.
• Site visits for walkovers, inspections or investigation work.
• Delivery of outputs, including reports, design models, drawings, calculations and correspondence, within agreed deadlines and budgets.
• Submission of reports, designs and calculations for third party approvals requiring pro-active communication with clients, authorities and other agencies to ensure effective development progression.
• Environmental Impact assessment, expert evidence, inquiries and hearings.
• Client liaison, fee proposals and invoicing.
• Working collaboratively with engineers, technicians and other disciplines to deliver quality, evidence led reports.
• Maintain high design standards and deliver solutions to projects.
• The recruitment, mentoring and supervision of Flood Risk technicians and engineers.

Key skills, experience and attributes required:

• A minimum qualification of a degree.
• Demonstrable relevant experience within both technical and business development capacity.
• Project leadership; demonstrated ability to lead and manage complex projects, including overseeing teams, coordinating with clients, and ensuring the successful delivery of flood risk and drainage projects.
• Proven ability to develop and maintain client relationships, understand client needs, and deliver tailored solutions.
• Professional member of The Institution of Civil Engineers, CIWEM or similar.
• Detailed knowledge of current legislation, drainage design standards and good practice; including Design and Construction Standards 2020, FEH, F&WMA, NHBC Standards, CIRIA 753 (SUDS Manual), NPPF, etc.
• Detailed experience in writing flood risk reports, development of drainage strategies, river/flood modelling.
• Experienced in the use of various computer software programs which will include Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Access), Flow Causeway or Micro Drainage, and a working knowledge of flood modelling software such as XP Storm, Hec-Ras, Tuflow or Floodmodeller.
• Experience of Flood Modelling and proficient in the use of AutoCAD software.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office.
• Excellent written skills, particularly report writing and client liaison.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, able to present information in detail to senior management team and staff.

Our Benefits:

At MEC, we value a healthy work-life balance. Alongside a competitive salary, we offer flexible working arrangements to support our employees.

• 25 days' annual leave, (rising on years of service), plus an additional day for your birthday, a wellbeing day and a charity day (available on request).
• Company pension scheme.
• Private medical insurance.
• Life assurance.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
• Paid annual membership for professional institutions.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Octopus EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• A range of wellbeing and lifestyle benefits.

If you have the skills and experience for this role, we'd love to hear from you. MEC is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.