Senior Principal / Technical Specialist - Environmental Water Quality in Reading

The Opportunity

Water quality sits at the heart of some of the UK's most urgent environmental challenges today. As standards tighten, systems grow more complex, and communities demand better outcomes for their rivers, coastlines and catchments, the need for genuinely expert thinking has never been greater. At Stantec, our Environmental Water Quality Team is working with water companies, regulators and wider stakeholders across the UK and Ireland to develop solutions that are not just effective, but sustainable. We are looking for a Senior Principal or Technical Specialist to help lead that work. If you are a recognised expert in your field and you are ready for a role where your knowledge drives real environmental change, this could be exactly the right next step.

About The Role

This is a technical leadership role within our Environmental Water Quality Team, with flexibility on location for the right candidate. You will work within a core of scientific and engineering specialists, supporting clients primarily across the water sector, as well as the energy and infrastructure sectors. You will identify pollution sources, pathways and receptors and develop solutions for both natural and urban catchments. Your work will span the full water cycle, integrating with expertise across urban and natural environments to help clients and communities achieve environmental performance that is sustainable and efficient. Project and programme examples may include WINEP studies, marine or inland water quality modelling, storm overflow investigations and catchment risk assessments. You will manage and deliver complex, multi-disciplinary programmes, mentor junior team members, and work closely with project managers to ensure successful outcomes across your portfolio.

Your Impact

This role offers something that is genuinely rare: the opportunity to improve the environments and communities that depend on clean, healthy water. The projects you lead will reduce carbon, improve biodiversity and help shape how the UK's water industry responds to the environmental challenges ahead. You will also play an important part in developing the people around you, sharing expertise that has taken years to build and helping the next generation of water quality practitioners find their footing in a fast-evolving field.

About You

You hold a degree in an appropriate discipline and bring at least ten years of experience working across the water industry, with well-established relationships across the sector. You have a proven track record of managing and delivering challenging, complex projects that assess and mitigate the environmental impacts of wastewater assets. You are familiar with UK environmental quality legislation and understand how your work fits within broader multi-disciplinary contexts. You are a confident communicator, equally at ease with clients, regulators and industry colleagues. You lead with clarity, adapt well to change, and bring an open, collaborative approach that makes the people around you better. Most importantly, you are driven by outcomes. You think differently, you challenge conventional thinking, and you are looking for an environment that not only welcomes that, but depends on it.

Why Join Us

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive, and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor in 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies in 2025. Named 'Best Place to Work' and 'International Consulting Firm of the Year' at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry-leading training and development, as well as paid professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan to support you in becoming chartered with ICE.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group, and a wider ERG network.
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK – we want you to be part of it!
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard, discounted gym membership, and lots more.
• Hybrid/Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible work.

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy, and prosperous communities. Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world‑class talent is a crucial key to our success.

If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply. At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [email protected] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.