Technical Director - Urban Drainage

Shape the future of water, drainage and climate resilience

This is an opportunity to become a leader in the industry, influence policy and drive innovation. The challenges facing the water sector have never been greater.  Climate change, urbanisation, flooding, pollution, water scarcity and the need for sustainable infrastructure are transforming the way we manage our water environment.  At HR Wallingford we are helping to address those challenges through world-leading research, innovative consultancy and we are empathetic in providing practical and appropriate solutions in line with societal needs.

We are seeking an exceptional Technical Director (Urban Drainage) to lead and grow our highly respected urban drainage team. This is a rare opportunity to shape the strategic direction of a nationally recognised centre of excellence while working alongside some of the industry's leading engineers, scientists and researchers.

Whether your expertise lies in drainage, wastewater, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), flood management, climate resilience, water recycling, modelling, hydrology, or emerging digital technologies, this role offers the platform to influence the future of the water sector both in the UK and internationally.

The opportunity

You will work with a great range of clients, including government organisations, regulators, water companies, research bodies, international development organisations and financial institutions. No two projects are the same. The company avoids turnkey agreements and therefore offers an independent service to all organisations in the water industry.

As Technical Director, you will:

• Lead and inspire a team of talented engineers and scientists
• Shape the strategic growth of our urban drainage business
• Develop lasting relationships with clients and industry stakeholders
• Win and direct major consultancy and research projects
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated water management solutions
• Influence industry thinking through innovation, research and thought leadership
• Support the development of your team

What we're looking for

We're interested in ambitious leaders with a passion for improving how water is managed. You will bring expertise in many of the following areas:

• Urban drainage and integrated water management
• Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)#
• Natural Flood Management (NFM)
• Wastewater treatment and resource recovery
• Water recycling and water reuse
• Climate change hydrology and rainfall projections
• Network modelling, including InfoWorks ICM, InfoDrainage and emerging machine learning approaches
• River water quality and pollution management
• Asset management and strategic planning
• GIS and bespoke analytical tool development
• International water and sanitation projects
• Flood risk management
• Expert witness services

Most importantly, you will combine technical credibility with the leadership skills needed to grow people, build client relationships and develop new opportunities.

You'll be successful if you can demonstrate

• Strong technical expertise within the water sector
• The ability to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent client engagement and communication skills
• A proven track record of winning and delivering projects
• Commercial awareness and business development capability
• A collaborative leadership style
• A passion for advancing science, research and developing practical solutions
• Chartered status and membership of a relevant professional institution such as ICE or CIWEM is expected.

What makes this role special?

This is a great opportunity to draw on both your management skills and technical expertise working with organisations which will influence the direction of the science of urban drainage.

Further information

• Download a full job description and person specification.
• Check out our exceptional benefits at hrwallingford.com/careers.
• Salary: £75,000+ dependant on experience.
• 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.
• The closing date for applications is 3^rd January 2027.

Why HR Wallingford?

HR Wallingford is unlike most consultancies. Originally established as the Hydraulics Research Station, we continue to combine scientific excellence with real-world application. Our teams have recently led or had involvement in:

• The development of the industry-renowned SuDS Manual
• Delivered research influencing British Standards, SuDS Standards and national guidance
• Developed innovative tools on climate change adaptation and rainfall analysis
• Advised government departments, regulators, water companies and international organisations on some of the sector's most pressing challenges
• As a non-profit-distributing organisation, we reinvest in research, innovation and people, giving our experts the freedom to develop the next generation of tools, techniques and solutions.

As a staff member you will enjoy:

• 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.
• Being encouraged to reach your full potential: We invest in our people, offering a chance to make a real impact from day one.