Associate Director (Water & Flood Risk)

About the role

We’re looking for a highly experienced and inspiring Associate Director to contribute to the day-to-day management and leadership of our Water & Flood discipline. This senior leadership role offers the opportunity to make a real impact within a talented and growing team of engineers and consultants.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and day-to-day support to the Technical Director, including managing junior team members, forecasting workloads, and supporting strategic decision-making.
• Act as Project Manager across multiple concurrent projects, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Support planning appeals, public inquiries, and examinations in public, including preparation of proofs of evidence and expert witness testimony.
• Undertake technical reviews to ensure high standards and quality across all project outputs.
• Manage project billing and financial performance.
• Support the continued growth and development of the Water Team within Create and the wider planning sector.
• Represent the discipline internally and externally as a subject matter expert.
• Advise clients on compliance, risk, and mitigation strategies across a range of development sectors.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships at senior levels.
• Lead or support bids, tenders, and new business opportunities.
• Provide leadership, mentoring, and technical guidance to junior and senior members of the team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• A degree in Civil Engineering, Earth Science, Geography, or a related subject.
• Significant consultancy experience in flood risk and drainage.
• Exceptional technical expertise with strong knowledge of UK legislation and guidance, including drainage design (surface water and foul water), hydraulic modelling, river engineering, and flood risk assessment.
• Experience preparing and managing Environment Agency (EA) and Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) permit applications, Nutrient Neutrality and Water Neutrality assessments, and water-related Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) chapters.
• Proven success securing LLFA and LPA approvals and overcoming technical objections.
• Demonstrable experience winning and delivering large, complex projects for high-profile clients.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify and develop new business opportunities.
• An inspiring leadership style, with experience mentoring and developing teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence presenting at senior level.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as Integrated Management of Freshwater Environments, Environmental Science, or Environmental Engineering.
• Chartered status (CEng, C.WEM, or similar).
• A recognised industry profile through publications, presentations, committee work, or thought leadership.
• Experience influencing policy, standards, or industry best practice.
• Experience integrating flood risk and drainage considerations with wider environmental and engineering disciplines on major schemes.
• A working knowledge of social and digital media channels with a view to using these to promote not only your work but also the business.

Skills

• Leadership and management skills.
• Project management and coordination skills.
• Technical expertise in flood risk and drainage.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Commercial acumen and business development skills.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Client relationship management.
• Team building and mentoring skills.
• Collaboration and innovation.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Benefits

• Competitive salary (based on experience and location).
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Pet-friendly offices (Norwich and London).
• Enhanced workplace pension – company makes a 5% contribution.
• Flexible holiday allowance (buy or sell annual leave).
• Role-related benefits such as a mobile phone and access to a vehicle.
• Octopus EV salary sacrifice scheme.
• Cycle to Work salary sacrifice scheme.
• Season ticket loan.
• Clear progression pathways and leadership development.
• Mentoring, CPD and knowledge-sharing events.
• A collaborative, diverse, and inclusive workplace culture.

Pay

Competitive salary (based on experience and location).

Schedule

Flexible working arrangements.