Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Competitive, commensurate with experience

About the Role
Opportunities like this are rare. SLR Consulting Limited is seeking a high calibre individual to lead and grow our existing Hydrology and Hydrogeology Practice within our European Region as a Practice Leader. Our Hydrology and Hydrogeology Practice comprises a team of 75 specialists offering technical excellence in managing surface water, groundwater, and geochemistry challenges. The team works on projects delivering Net Zero and contributes significantly to the sustainability of new developments and existing operations across the UK, Ireland, mainland Europe, and beyond.

Our hydrology services include flood risk assessments and hydraulic modelling, stormwater drainage design, pollution control, operational water management, and water monitoring. Our hydrogeology and geochemistry services include hydrogeological risk assessment, groundwater and contaminant modelling, passive water treatment design, and groundwater monitoring. The Practice serves clients across multiple sectors including Power and Distribution, Built Environment, Mining & Minerals, and Infrastructure.

Reporting to the European Business Unit Director for Earth Sciences, you will be a member of the Business Unit Leadership Team and lead the Hydrology and Hydrogeology Practice currently located across the UK and Ireland. You will lead and grow a successful, sustainable business that delivers on client needs while inspiring and motivating staff.

Responsibilities include operational management, team development, and technical delivery. You will set and implement the Practice’s strategy for learning and development, growth, and operational improvement. You will have autonomy to make decisions to meet market and business needs, working closely with senior colleagues.

Key duties:
- Lead and grow Hydrology and Hydrogeology capability in the European Region through visible leadership and alignment with SLR core values.
- Develop and implement the Practice’s commercial strategy, driving growth in revenue, margin performance, and service expansion.
- Build strong client and partner relationships to foster business growth and customer loyalty.
- Monitor client trends, identify strategic opportunities and risks, and act accordingly.
- Target key hires to support service expansion and talent development.
- Set and manage budgets, track and forecast financial performance.
- Collaborate with Sector Leads and Marketing to ensure appropriate market profile.
- Identify operational improvements and deliver solutions.
- Promote SLR’s Health and Safety culture through proactive leadership and compliance.
- Lead inclusively by recruiting, retaining, and developing strong teams.
- Support and challenge leaders to deliver their responsibilities.
- Drive business performance to exceed expectations including project delivery excellence.
- Uphold ethics and compliance aligned with SLR values.
- Create a healthy, safe, and respectful workforce environment.
- Identify and manage risks and opportunities for the Practice.

About SLR:
SLR is a global leader in environmental and advisory solutions helping clients achieve sustainability goals. With over 4,500 employees worldwide and more than 1,700 in Europe, Middle East and Africa, our ‘One Team’ culture fosters collaboration and professional development. We offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package including pension, healthcare, travel and life insurance, critical illness cover, and a structured career framework with regular progression reviews. Alongside 25 days annual leave, we provide flexible, agile, and hybrid working options to support work-life balance and family-friendly policies.

Experience
- Proven track record of leading and growing a large, diverse consultancy team.
- Strong client management and work-winning ability.
- Experience setting and delivering against annual budgets.
- Demonstrable success in maintaining and expanding client relationships, including cross-selling multi-disciplinary services.
- Ability to operate a business effectively, managing revenue, profit, and client satisfaction.
- Experience implementing operational improvements across technical, quality, financial, project, and people areas.

About you
- Commercially minded and highly skilled consultancy professional.
- Strong leadership skills across all employee lifecycle stages.
- Positive mindset with excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills.
- Inclusive leader who promotes and engages with diverse perspectives.
- Forward-thinking with the ability to set and implement strategic vision considering future market trends.
- Resilient and adaptable to change, driving sustainable growth.
- Committed to ethics, compliance, and fostering a healthy, safe, and respectful work environment.

Qualifications
- Relevant professional qualifications and experience in Hydrology, Hydrogeology, or related environmental consultancy fields are expected.
- Evidence of continuous professional development and leadership training is desirable.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
SLR is committed to being an equal opportunities employer and fostering an inclusive environment where all individuals can thrive. We welcome applications from under-represented groups including LGBTQ+ people, ethnic minorities, women, and people with disabilities, including neurodivergent individuals. We provide equitable support throughout the recruitment process to ensure all applicants have a fair experience.