Location
Aylesbury, England, United Kingdom

Hours
Flexible working arrangements with a requirement to work from the office a couple of times a week depending on role and team needs. Hybrid working available.

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Are you an experienced flood risk or drainage professional looking for an opportunity to lead a specialist team and influence how growth is delivered across Buckinghamshire? This is an exciting opportunity to lead Buckinghamshire Council's Sustainable Drainage Team and play a pivotal role in ensuring new development is supported by high-quality sustainable drainage, effective surface water management and climate-resilient design. As Sustainable Drainage Team Leader, you will oversee the Lead Local Flood Authority's role within the planning process, influencing major development proposals, strategic infrastructure projects and planning policy across one of the country's largest unitary authorities. You will help shape how Buckinghamshire responds to the challenges of climate change, growth and flood risk while supporting the delivery of sustainable places for communities and businesses.

You will manage a team of specialist officers, providing technical leadership on surface water drainage and flood risk matters for major and non-major developments, strategic growth sites and nationally significant infrastructure projects. Working closely with planning officers, developers, consultants and other Risk Management Authorities, you will promote high-quality sustainable drainage, blue-green infrastructure and climate-resilient development across Buckinghamshire.

You will play a key role in shaping local planning policy, contributing to Strategic Flood Risk Assessments and supporting the emerging Buckinghamshire Local Plan, while driving service improvements and helping to shape the future direction of flood risk management across the county. This role offers the opportunity to combine technical expertise, leadership and strategic influence within a highly respected Flood Risk Management service.

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation combining the strengths of five previous councils to create positive change for local people, communities and businesses. The Planning, Growth and Sustainability Directorate delivers planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure and transport strategy services to help create thriving communities and sustainable development.

The Climate Change and Flood Risk Management Team manages flood risk and the council’s response to climate change, delivering statutory duties under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991). The team works on a wide range of flood management projects, large infrastructure schemes, tree planting, sustainable energy projects and the council’s Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy.

Buckinghamshire presents a unique flood risk management challenge with major growth areas, infrastructure projects, market towns, rural catchments and environmentally sensitive locations, providing excellent opportunities to develop your expertise while making a tangible difference to local communities.

Experience
- Significant experience within a Lead Local Flood Authority, local planning authority, consultancy, Environment Agency, water company or similar organisation involved in drainage, flood risk and development planning.
- Extensive knowledge of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), surface water management and flood risk legislation, policy and best practice.
- Experience leading, managing or mentoring technical staff.
- Strong understanding of the planning system and the role of the Lead Local Flood Authority.
- Experience working on major development proposals and strategic sites.
- Ability to manage competing priorities while delivering high-quality outcomes within statutory timescales.
- Strong analytical, communication, negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience contributing to planning policy, strategic flood risk work, guidance documents or wider service improvements.
- Confidence and credibility to represent the Council in public and professional settings.

About you
You are an experienced and motivated flood risk or drainage professional with the technical expertise, leadership skills and strategic awareness to lead a specialist team within a busy Lead Local Flood Authority environment. You are collaborative, ambitious and trustworthy, aligned with Buckinghamshire Council’s values. You are committed to delivering sustainable, climate-resilient development and supporting thriving communities.

Professional membership of CIWEM, ICE or a similar professional body would be advantageous.

Qualifications
A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline such as Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Geography, Flood Risk Management or a related subject is required.