Location
UK-wide, with preference for South East England locations including Cambridge, London, Croydon, Reading, and Southampton.

Hours
Full Time - Flexible hybrid working policy supporting well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Salary
Competitive salary with a comprehensive benefits package.

About the Role
Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries. We deliver impactful projects across diverse sectors, driven by our people’s expertise and collaboration. As a proudly employee-owned business, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered and valued.

We are seeking a Principal Environmental and Sustainability Consultant to lead the environmental workstream within our well-established water resources planning environmental assessment business. This role involves technical leadership and delivery for water sector planning projects, overseeing multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality outcomes for our clients.

Key responsibilities include leading environmental assessments for water planning projects, providing technical excellence, innovation, and sustainable solutions, acting as technical checker/approver, and engaging with a diverse range of public and private sector clients. This role supports our AMP8 delivery period, building on successes from AMP7.

The successful candidate will join our Environmental & Sustainability Services (ESS) team, a national network of environmental and sustainability professionals. We are recognised leaders in water resource planning, delivering innovative solutions and best practices in Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Natural Capital Assessment, and Biodiversity Net Gain Assessment.

This position can be based at any UK office, with a preference for South East locations.

Experience
- Proven experience leading environmental assessments in the water sector or related sectors.
- Experience with strategic water planning including Water Resource Management Plans, Regional Water Resource Plans, Drought Plans, and Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans.
- Experience working in diverse multi-disciplinary teams and leading delivery of environmental and sustainability outputs.
- Client-facing experience with ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders.
- Strong organisational, planning, and project management skills including budget management.
- Ability to problem solve, think creatively, and drive continual improvement.

About You
- Highly motivated and able to provide technical leadership and excellence.
- Collaborative team leader with strong communication skills.
- Committed to delivering sustainable and innovative environmental solutions.
- Well organised with a proactive approach to managing projects and teams.

Qualifications
- Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a relevant technical subject.
- Desirable: Master's degree in a relevant subject.
- Chartered status with a professional institution such as CIWEM, ISEP (previously IEMA), or equivalent is advantageous.
- Significant experience in one or more of the following is desirable: Strategic Environmental Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment, Natural Capital Assessment.