Technical Leader Environment and Sustainability - Water Resources Planning in Reading

We have an exciting opportunity for a Technical Leader in Environment and Sustainability to advance our well‑established and successful water resources planning environmental assessment business. This role offers the chance to shape industry‑leading approaches to water resource planning and environmental assessment, tackling complex challenges in partnership with top‑tier clients. To support our AMP8 delivery we seek a highly motivated individual to provide strategic and technical leadership to ensure the successful delivery of these high‑profile water resource projects to our key clients.

We are seeking candidates with substantial experience in environmental assessment for water resources, proven strategic leadership abilities, and strong collaboration skills across multidisciplinary teams. The successful candidate will join our Environmental & Sustainability Services (ESS) team, comprising a growing network of environmental and sustainability professionals across 18 offices nationwide.

Key Responsibilities And Duties Include:

• Driving our strategic direction in environmental assessment for our AMP8 water resource portfolio of projects
• Providing strategic leadership to environmental and sustainability teams to deliver SEA, HRA, Natural capital and BNG assessments for water planning projects
• Driving innovation and sustainable outcomes and influencing solutions at a project and programme level
• Strategic client engagement with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders from both the public and private sector
• Leading business development and work winning activities to deliver and grow our business

Essential:

• Experience of strategic leadership, business development and winning work
• Substantial experience of strategic water planning such as Water Resource Management Plans, Regional Water Resource Plans, Drought Plans and Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans
• Understanding of the policy and regulatory landscape in water resource planning and environmental assessment
• Qualified in a related technical subject (Minimum of a Bachelor's degree essential)
• Experience working in diverse multi‑disciplined teams and leading teams to produce environmental and sustainability deliverables to a high standard
• Substantial experience of working in a client‑facing environment and ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders to deliver positive outcomes
• Well organised with strong planning and management skills, with ability to manage budgets and programmes
• Ability to problem solve, think creatively, and seek continual improvement

Desirable:

• Experience of leading environmental assessments for the water sector or other sectors
• Strong network within the water sector
• Qualified to Master’s degree level in a relevant subject
• Chartered with a professional institution (e.g., CIWEM, ISEP (previously IEMA)) or equivalent level

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well‑being, flexibility, and trust. We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Health and wellbeing:

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with everyday health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Financial wellbeing:

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long‑term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Lifestyle:

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high‑street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave:

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

Learning and development:

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self‑development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes:

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.