Director Water Environment in Evesham

Reporting to: Managing Director

Location: Office Based (Evesham) – Hybrid Working Available

Salary: Dependent on experience

About us: We are specialist environmental consultants supporting UK public and private organisations throughout planning and development. We help our customers navigate environmental policies while providing cost effective, pragmatic solutions that enhance and protect the environment. We’re a close-knit team who care deeply about creating sustainable, practical solutions for development. Our work isn’t just about ticking boxes – it’s about making a positive impact on the environment while helping clients navigate the challenges of responsible development. Our new leadership team is focused on creating an environment where you feel supported, valued, and empowered to shape the way we work.

The Role: We are seeking a business leader with experience within flood risk, drainage and peatland hydrology to lead and grow our Water Environment team. The team predominately provides pre-planning consultancy services for the residential, renewable energy and utilities sectors, however, Gavia are always looking to grow our areas of expertise and range of services. The role will encompass all aspects of team management including strategic growth planning, continuous improvement, line management, resourcing, financial reporting, client management, the generation of sales and quality assurance. You will also be required to work closely within the senior management team on the strategic growth of the wider business.

What You’ll Do:

• Provide leadership and direction for the Water Environment team, reporting directly to the Managing Director on process improvements, customer service, sales growth, profit and loss, and employee morale.
• Lead on technical excellence, with an advanced specialism in one or more of flood risk, drainage and/or peatland hydrology.
• Provide technical delivery and direction for projects which fall within your technical specialism.
• Stay appraised of the latest industry advancements, sharing best practice and upholding robust quality assurance procedures.
• Actively generate sales with existing and prospective clients, proactively seeking out networking opportunities and driving the production of bids, proposals and tenders.
• Attend client and project meetings, providing accurate, proactive and advanced consultancy advice.
• Provide line management to the team, supporting with individuals' Continual Professional Development, identifying opportunities for growth and helping to facilitate personal career development aspirations.
• Manage the team resourcing, ensuring utilisation, process improvement and efficiency targets are met.
• Work collaboratively with peers and the senior management team to implement opportunities for continuous improvement, promoting exemplar health and safety across the business and creating a positive workplace culture.

What We’re Looking For:

• 10-15+ years industry experience within flood risk, drainage and/or peatland hydrology.
• Chartered status within a relevant professional body.
• Proven ability of sales generation within a private environmental consultancy.
• Demonstratable experience delivering policy compliant Flood Risk Assessments, drainage strategies and other associated documentation, for complex development proposals (including DCOs, outline and detailed planning applications) within the residential, renewable energy and utilities sectors.
• Advanced knowledge of planning policy and legislation for England, Scotland and Wales in relation to flood risk, drainage and peatland hydrology.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, demonstratable by experience negotiating with key stakeholders such as SEPA, EA, LLFAs and Sewerage Undertakers.
• Experience in business management and continuous process improvement.

What We Offer: We’re committed to developing our team and supporting their ambitions. You’ll benefit from:

• 20 days per annum CPD.
• Paid Professional Membership.
• 25 days per year plus the standard Scottish bank holidays (normally 9 days). Enhanced with service length.
• Company pension contribution.

Note relocation package (within the UK) may be available for the right candidate.

Additional Information: For this role, you must have evidence of the right to work in the UK. Our other screening checks can include but are not limited to your professional and academic qualifications, any criminal records, and references from previous employers. The screening that takes place will be relevant to your role. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or age.