Principal Consultant - Wastewater in Birmingham
Principal Consultant - Wastewater

Principal Consultant - Wastewater in Birmingham

Birmingham Full-Time 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead wastewater projects, manage teams, and ensure technical excellence.
  • Company: Join Nicholas O'Dwyer, a leader in sustainable engineering with 90 years of experience.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to make a real impact.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of wastewater infrastructure while promoting sustainability.
  • Qualifications: 15+ years in wastewater engineering and Chartered Engineer status required.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for international projects.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.

About the Company

At Nicholas O'Dwyer, sustainability is at the core of our work. With a proven track record of over 90 years, we are committed to creating a sustainable planet and providing innovative, reliable solutions using cutting‑edge technology and expertise. We deliver infrastructure projects in water, wastewater, transportation, civil and structural engineering, flood protection, and energy—including renewables—across Ireland, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. As part of the RSK Group, an amalgamation of over 200 companies and more than 17,000 employees, we benefit from a global network of opportunities while retaining our brand and autonomy.

About the Role

We are seeking a Principal Consultant – Wastewater to provide senior technical leadership across a portfolio of wastewater infrastructure projects. The role supports the planning, design, procurement, and construction phases of projects, with a strong focus on technical quality, governance, and coordination across multiple project teams. The position will initially focus on UK Water Utility projects, working closely with project teams, clients, and Tier 1 contractors. Opportunities to contribute to Irish and international projects may arise depending on business needs and individual interest.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technicians, fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance working environment.
  • Provide technical leadership across the design and delivery of wastewater services projects, from initial concept through to completion.
  • Manage resources, programmes, and delivery across multiple projects, including programme management, tender management, and business sector support.
  • Lead client engagements, provide technical delivery, oversight, and assurance to ensure project and client objectives are met.
  • Monitor and control project commercial performance, including cost tracking, variation assessment, change management, and portfolio growth to support continued business development.
  • Develop and manage departmental processes to ensure compliance with current technical standards, regulatory requirements, and internal governance.
  • Identify, manage, and mitigate technical, commercial, and delivery risks throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Create, track, and deliver integrated plans across multiple teams and concurrent projects.
  • Act as a mentor and coach to junior engineers and emerging leaders across the organisation, supporting technical and professional development.
  • Build and lead effective team and group dynamics, promoting ownership, initiative, and proactive working relationships.
  • Contribute specialist expertise to develop additional organisational capabilities, including financial management, strategic planning, and service growth.
  • Undertake additional responsibilities as required, in line with the evolving needs of the role and the business.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
  • Minimum of 15 years’ experience in wastewater engineering, including feasibility studies, detailed design, procurement, and construction contract administration for wastewater infrastructure projects.
  • Chartered Engineer status or membership of a relevant professional body (essential).
  • Proven experience working within Design & Build environments and/or in client‑facing roles.
  • Experience working on UK Water Utility projects is desirable but not essential.
  • Strong technical knowledge of wastewater engineering principles, relevant standards, regulations, and industry best practice.
  • Proficiency in the design of wastewater infrastructure, including the use of appropriate analysis and design software.
  • Demonstrated experience delivering wastewater engineering projects of varying scale and complexity.
  • Proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, coordinate resources, and achieve programme milestones.
  • Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and work effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

About Us

Our mission is to deliver sustainable solutions that transform communities and bring about lasting positive change. Through a blend of expertise, innovation and global dedication, we envision a world where sustainable engineering protects growing communities. Nicholas O’Dwyer provides professional services in engineering design, project management, environment and planning, construction supervision and technical and contract advisory. We are one of the most respected Irish consultancies operating in local and international markets, providing professional services to public‑ and private‑sector clients.

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Consulting, Information Technology, and Sales

Industries: Civil Engineering

Principal Consultant - Wastewater in Birmingham employer: Nicholas O'Dwyer Ltd

At Nicholas O'Dwyer, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that fosters professional growth and innovation. Our commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology not only drives our projects but also empowers our employees to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. With opportunities for mentorship and involvement in diverse international projects, we provide a dynamic environment where your expertise in wastewater engineering can thrive.
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Contact Detail:

Nicholas O'Dwyer Ltd Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Consultant - Wastewater in Birmingham

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Principal Consultant gig.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their approach to sustainability and wastewater management. We want to see you shine, so practice articulating how your experience aligns with their mission and values.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your expertise! Bring along a portfolio of your past projects, especially those related to wastewater engineering. We love seeing tangible evidence of your skills and how you’ve tackled challenges in previous roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role and highlighting a key point from your conversation can keep you top of mind. We appreciate candidates who take the initiative!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Consultant - Wastewater in Birmingham

Technical Leadership
Wastewater Engineering
Project Management
Client Engagement
Resource Management
Risk Management
Regulatory Compliance
Design Software Proficiency
Communication Skills
Team Leadership
Organisational Skills
Feasibility Studies
Construction Contract Administration
Multidisciplinary Coordination
Mentoring and Coaching

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Principal Consultant - Wastewater role. Highlight your technical expertise in wastewater engineering and any relevant project management experience to catch our eye!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about sustainability and how your background aligns with our mission at Nicholas O'Dwyer. Be genuine and let your personality come through.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a multidisciplinary team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've fostered collaboration and high performance in past projects to demonstrate your fit for the position.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people!

How to prepare for a job interview at Nicholas O'Dwyer Ltd

✨Know Your Wastewater Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge of wastewater engineering principles and relevant standards. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those involving feasibility studies and detailed design.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Principal Consultant, you'll be leading teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your ability to foster collaboration and high performance among team members.

✨Understand the Company’s Mission

Nicholas O'Dwyer is all about sustainability. Familiarise yourself with their projects and values. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission to deliver sustainable solutions and how you can contribute to that vision.

✨Prepare for Client Engagement Scenarios

Since client engagement is key in this role, think of situations where you've successfully managed client relationships. Be ready to discuss how you ensured project objectives were met while maintaining strong communication and oversight.

Principal Consultant - Wastewater in Birmingham
Nicholas O'Dwyer Ltd
Location: Birmingham

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