Flood Risk Engagement and Project Manager

North Somerset Council is committed to providing high-quality services to our community. We are committed to creating a fair, green, and more inclusive environment for all our residents. Join us and contribute to making a positive impact on our community.

The role involves working with communities and partners to manage inland and coastal flood risk. We are seeking an experienced engagement and project management professional to lead community relationships and deliver practical projects across the district.

As our Flood Risk Engagement and Project Manager, you will take projects from initial scoping through procurement, on-site delivery and handover. You will work independently, using initiative to make progress, coordinate people and resolve problems within agreed objectives, budgets and authority.

You will work within a multidisciplinary natural environment team, bringing together flood risk, ecology, landscape and green space expertise to benefit communities and nature.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead inclusive community engagement, building relationships with residents, community groups, landowners and partners, and showing how feedback informs decisions.
• Explain project options and constraints clearly, handle sensitive discussions and keep communities informed about proposals, works and disruption.
• Develop project briefs, delivery plans and business cases, coordinating technical advice and defining scope, milestones and outcomes.
• Lead procurement with specialist colleagues, preparing requirements, supporting supplier selection and coordinating contractor appointment and mobilisation.
• Manage projects through delivery and handover, controlling budgets, risks, programmes, changes and reporting.
• Attend sites and liaise directly with contractors, coordinate access and site meetings, monitor progress and resolve delivery issues within authority.
• Coordinate safety, environmental, consent and technical requirements with competent specialists and maintain clear project and contract records.
• Support funding applications and claims, complete handover and maintenance arrangements, and assist with other flood risk duties appropriate to competence.

The role requires site visits and occasional evening community meetings. Technical advice and training will support work beyond your existing expertise.

A valid driving licence and own transport, or be able to provide an alternative, suitable method of travel is an essential condition for this role.

Work style:

At North Somerset Council, we offer a hybrid working environment based on four distinct work styles. Depending on the role and personal circumstances, you will fall into one of these categories. However, please note that during the induction period, it may be necessary to spend more time in the office to support your learning and development. We are flexible and open to discussions about your preferred working style, and if you wish to be in the office more frequently, this can be negotiated.

This role falls into the category of Flexible Worker which means you can expect to work in the following way:

• 2-3 days in the office.
• Works both from home and the office, depending on the task at hand.
• Training is provided to help balance work-life and manage time effectively, with an emphasis on communication for team touchpoints and planning in-office days for collaboration.

What we offer:

At North Somerset Council, we value our employees and provide a supportive and inclusive work environment.

• Competitive salary and benefits.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Inclusive Staff groups including Carers, Disabled, LGBTQ+, REACH (Race, Ethnicity, and Cultural Heritage), and Young Staff Forums.
• Opportunity to purchase up to an additional 10 days annual leave each year.
• Dedicated in-house Wellbeing Team.
• Salary sacrifice Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes.

Further details of our excellent rewards package can be found in our Benefits booklet.

Important information:

As a Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job role.

Please note: We are currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have full permission to work in the UK and are unable to provide Sponsorship for this role.

Equal opportunities:

At North Somerset Council we want all our employees to feel valued and appreciated. We aim to ensure equality of opportunity and prevent discrimination irrespective of your sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or belief, race, age, disability, including neurodiversity, if you are married or in a civil partnership or are pregnant or currently on maternity leave. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all our staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early or extend the closing date depending on the number of applications received.

About you:

We are looking for a self-starting professional with strong engagement and project management skills. You do not need a flood risk background. We welcome relevant experience from community development, construction, regeneration, environmental programmes and other sectors.

Essential criteria:

• Practical experience of planning and leading community engagement, using inclusive methods and demonstrating outcomes.
• Strong project management experience, taking projects from planning through implementation and completion.
• Experience of procurement and managing contractor or supplier performance.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, prioritise competing demands and recognise when to escape issues or obtain specialist advice.
• Clear written and verbal communication, effective partnership working and the ability to handle sensitive or challenging conversations.
• Experience of managing project budgets, forecasts, risks, programmes and records.
• Ability to coordinate activity on project sites and work effectively with contractors and technical specialists.
• Ability to meet the site travel and community meeting requirements of the role, with reasonable adjustments considered.

Desirable criteria:

• Knowledge or experience of flood risk management, drainage, coastal management, flood resilience or climate adaptation.
• Environmental knowledge or experience, including catchment management, ecology, habitat restoration or natural flood management.
• Experience of public sector projects, grant funding, funding conditions or claims.
• A relevant project management, engagement, construction or environmental qualification, professional membership or equivalent professional development. A flood risk qualification is not essential.

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme.