Technical Director (Flood Risk)

At HR Wallingford, we design smart, resilient solutions across the natural and built environments to help everyone live and work more sustainably with water. By harnessing research, data insights and the power of our collective expertise, we help the world to better understand the changing influence and impact of water.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Technical Director to join our Water and Climate Division, focusing on the flood risk sector and taking a leading role in delivering smart and innovative research and consultancy solutions for our clients.

A range of typical areas of expertise and experience required for this position would include:

• Strong expertise in flood management methods and their application in the UK and internationally, including planning and measures, and the use of hydrological and hydraulic modelling in flood management;
• Delivering complex flood-related projects in the UK and internationally, such as large-scale flood hazard modelling and mapping, and flood risk studies;
• Excellent understanding and exposure to solving problems relating to urban flood risk and water quality risk management;
• Ability to win work in this technical area, including writing successful proposals;
• Technical innovation in flood management methods, and in measures such as Property Flood Resilience, and Natural Flood Management;
• Training course delivery to external clients, and mentoring of internal, junior staff.

About the role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual with specialist flood risk expertise who can lead the further development of new ideas and solutions, whilst providing confident project delivery and technical support for our clients.

The role will span both research and consultancy projects – requiring both a strong technical background and excellent proposal, project management and project direction skills. 

About you

You will have at least 15 years of proven track record managing complex, multi-disciplinary delivery of water projects relating to flood risk.  You will have excellent understanding and exposure to flood management methods and their application in the UK and internationally.  You will have an extensive project management and delivery track record (ideally of projects involving hydrological and hydraulic modelling).

You will be able to demonstrate commercial acumen through successful work winning, commercial stewardship, and client relationship development. You will have taken a leading role on projects in the UK and overseas, having the ability to drive change through innovative thinking and solutions, and the capacity to inspire others through training and mentoring.

Good people skills are also important to us. A typical day for you could involve preparing a technical proposal, directing a flood risk management project team, discussing ideas for flood-related research and innovation projects, writing a paper for a peer-reviewed journal or leading meetings with clients and funding agencies.

You will hold Chartered status with a relevant professional institution (e.g. MICE) and commitment to professional progression.

Why choose us?

• Exceptional benefits: Enjoy a defined contribution pension scheme with a minimum 10% employer contribution (matched up to an additional 5%), 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, life insurance, and health insurance providing dental/optical cash back.
• Inclusive culture: Our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion is embedded in our core values.
• Inspiring the next generation: We are passionate about inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists through outreach with our STEM Ambassadors.
• Reach your full potential: We invest in our people, offering a chance to make a real impact from day one.
• Work-life balance: We understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance and offer both hybrid working and flexi time. We are also open to exploring other flexible working arrangements, including part-time.

HR Wallingford is a non-profit-distributing organisation allowing us to reinvest into strategic research and innovation. This ensures that our staff have the opportunity to work on exciting research and development projects to create the next-generation tools and technology and to apply them to solve water related problems around the world in novel ways. Collaboration and teamworking is at our core, both internally and with industry and academic partners. Consequently, we actively encourage ongoing training and development opportunities and pride ourselves on our open, inclusive and supportive work environment.

Further information

• Download a full job description and person specification.
• Check out our exceptional benefits at hrwallingford.com/careers.
• Salary: £75,000+ (dependent on experience)
• The closing date for applications is 26^th July 2026

How to apply

If you are excited about this role but unsure whether you’re the right fit, we encourage you to apply. We’re also happy to answer any questions by emailing careers@hrwallingford.com

Interested? Please apply providing your CV with covering letter. 

Additional information

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HR Wallingford are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our workplace. We do not discriminate, and work to create an inclusive culture across our business.