Associate Director /Technical Director – Water Quality in London

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Your new role, what's involved? Are you ready for the next step in your career? Are you eager to develop and help deliver and grow our portfolio of high-profile projects solving water quality challenges in the water resources, environmental and infrastructure sectors? We are seeking to appoint a talented, enthusiastic and committed Associate / Technical Director to lead a range of projects undertaken by the Catchment Science team within our Sustainable Water Management Consulting group with a major infrastructure focus as well as play a lead role in both the learning and development of the water quality scientists within the team, and in securing an ongoing pipeline of project work.

Your role will be varied and challenging and is likely to include the following:

• Leading the technical delivery of projects covering all aspects of water quality
• Project Direction including financial and change control and quality assurance through checking and reviewing.
• Mentoring, developing and supervising junior colleagues with opportunities for formal People Management.
• Working with the Water Quality Service Lead to develop a programme of water quality training.
• Working closely with the team and the Water Quality Service Lead to develop and agree scopes of services.
• Generating high quality bid proposals and developing innovative solutions to meet our clients' needs.
• Undertaking and supervising the production of high quality client- and public-facing deliverables, demonstrated through excellence in communication and an ability to present the visualisation and interpretation of complex data.
• Working collaboratively with other sectors/disciplines to deliver the water quality aspects of a wide range of challenging and engaging projects.
• Displaying and promoting a 'safety first' attitude in line with WSP's health and safety policy and procedures.

We are looking for an experienced Associate Director/Technical Director capable of both independent work and working as part of a team. You will be a highly motivated, numerate candidate with excellent communication skills able to focus on both internal team development and external business development. You will have the ability to apply technical knowledge in analysing problems and finding solutions to new challenges. Although primarily a UK based role, you will also be expected to work collaboratively with teams across WSP’s global business.

Your Team: Our Catchment Science team works across a wide spectrum of services covering water resources and security, hydrology and hydraulics, water quality, hydromorphology, flood risk management, water EIA, hydroecology and hydrogeology. Through our projects we provide high quality technical services and advice to a wide range of high-profile customers in the UK and overseas, including government departments and agencies, the water industry, and a wide range of other industrial sectors, including power, transport, nuclear, mining, commercial and oil and gas.

We have seen significant growth in demand for our water quality skills across the UK Water Company Sector and associated Regulators and also to support major infrastructure development. In order to meet this demand, provide resilience and succession within the team, we are looking to recruit a high calibre Associate / Technical Director to focus on leading our work on major infrastructure projects. We offer a dynamic, but supportive environment for a motivated and talented individual to fulfil their potential. We recognise that our people are central to our success as a business.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate:

• How river, lake and TraCs water quality is protected through implementation of UK regulations and EU related policy;
• A working knowledge of surface water quality and catchment modelling tools, EIA scoping, reviews and assessments for water/hydrology chapters.
• A strong understanding of UK water quality and of the environmental and regulatory framework of UK water management.
• Experience of working on National level infrastructure projects such as DCOs, RAPID schemes or National Highways (e.g. use of HEWRAT, contributing to CEMPS, EMPS etc.).
• Strong project management and direction skills, with experience of managing projects from start to finish. Experience of Framework management would also be desirable.
• A clear understanding of client needs, their opportunities and challenges, with a track record of leading and winning work.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the potential to engage and influence at all levels, in particular in the technical development of more junior staff.
• Strong commercial awareness, with experience of identifying and developing business opportunities as well as the preparation of winning proposals.
• Excellent report-writing, technical review, numerical and analytical skills, with an eye for detail and enjoy solving challenging water quality problems.

Qualifications:

• Degree-level qualifications in a relevant subject (e.g. geography, geology, geochemistry, earth/environmental science, civil engineering or similar);
• A higher degree in a relevant discipline (e.g. river or lake water quality, water chemistry, hydrogeochemistry, water management, environmental science, or similar), is desirable, but not essential;
• You will have gained, or be working towards chartership with a relevant professional body.

Don’t quite meet the criteria? Please still reach out as we would love to talk to you. With us, you can. Apply today.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Work-life balance: At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.
• Inclusivity & Belonging: We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.
• Health & Wellbeing: We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.
• Flex your time: To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.
• Your development: We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.