Principal Flood Risk Consultant

Location/s: Leeds, Cambridge, Sheffield, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Edinburgh, Inverness; UK

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee‑owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About The Division

The Water Consultancy Division is Mott MacDonald’s centre of excellence for responding to water and wastewater challenges, offering fantastic opportunities to get involved in diverse and technically challenging work. The work we do is at the forefront of ensuring safe water supplies for future generations and protecting our environment. Our multi‑disciplinary teams provide a variety of services throughout the full project life cycle, from advisory services and feasibility studies, through outline and detailed design, to construction support and site supervision.

Overview Of The Role

We have a strong track record in providing flood risk services to our clients. Our teams of experts have modelled, designed and delivered flood management schemes around the world and worked on award winning schemes such as the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme. We deliver Flood Risk Assessments for new developments and are industry leading in delivering Nature Based Solutions for flood risk management. We work alongside Dam Engineers to conduct reservoir flood studies.

Mott MacDonald is a unique company to work for, combining heritage, vision and values into an ethos that encourages innovative thinking and career progression in technical, management or commercial/client‑facing directions, or a combination thereof. You will have control of your own career path, which we will support through mentoring and training, but above all by giving you the opportunities to face new challenges and take more responsibilities.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Leading the development of hydraulic models (using packages to such as Flood Modeller, TUFLOW, HEC‑RAS and ICM) to assist the design of Flood Alleviation Schemes, deliver Flood Risk Assessments and conduct reservoir flood studies
• Conceptualisation and scoping of hydraulic modelling approaches
• Producing and checking high quality reports for clients
• Undertaking and checking hydrological assessments including Flood Estimation Handbook, ReFH2 and WINFAP
• Mentoring/training junior staff in the overall process of hydraulic modelling, from scoping to delivery, helping them to see the bigger picture, and providing guidance in identifying opportunities and risks in programme, consenting, construction and maintenance

Alongside your technical role, you will undertake project management and business development activities, including engagement with clients to win new work for the team.

We are looking for someone with great team spirit to become an integral part of our Flood Risk Team, which brings together a wealth of knowledge and experience in hydrology, catchment management, climate resilience, hydraulic modelling, flood risk and associated disciplines.

Candidate specification

Essential:

• Experience in delivering flood risk management studies
• Experience using hydraulic modelling software
• Experience using flood modelling software e.g. Flood Modeller, TUFLOW, HECRAS or ICM
• Degree level qualification in hydrology, geography, mathematics, civil engineering, or other related discipline
• Good communication and written skills
• Well organised and able to prioritise your own workload with minimal supervision
• Understand the importance of prioritising health, safety and environmental issues

Desirable:

• Chartered with an appropriate professional body (e.g. ICE, CIWEM, IMA)
• Professional consultancy experience in flood modelling and flood risk management
• Experience in leading complex flood risk management projects

If you meet 80% or more of what we’re looking for, please still apply. We understand not everyone will meet all the requirements, but you might have skills we didn’t know we need.

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well‑being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long‑term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long‑term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high‑street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self‑development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Location(s): Brighton, Liverpool, Manchester, Inverness, Edinburgh, Sheffield, Leeds, Cambridge, Bristol, Cardiff.

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Pattern: Full Time

Market: Water

Discipline: Water

Job Ref: 15745

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