Project Lead - Flood and Coastal Risk Management - CMB

Job Title:

Project Lead – Flood & Coastal Risk Management

Salary: £47,181 to £48,226;

Hours:

37 hours per week;

Location:

Carlisle;

Contract:

Permanent.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated Project Lead to join Cumberland Council’s Flood & Coastal Risk Management (FCRM) team. This key role will lead the development and delivery of multi‑million‑pound flood and coastal risk management projects that protect communities, businesses, infrastructure, and the environment across Cumberland. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in delivering the Council’s flood and coastal works programme while supporting the team’s statutory responsibilities as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) and Coast Protection Authority (CPA).

As Project Lead, you will manage projects throughout their entire life cycle—from initial feasibility and business case development, through to procurement, design, construction, and commissioning. You will lead multidisciplinary project teams, manage consultants and contractors, and ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on time, within budget, and to the highest professional standards.

You will lead on engagement with a wide range of stakeholders—including residents, elected members, government agencies, partner organisations, local businesses, funding bodies, and regulatory authorities—to ensure effective communication and consultation throughout project development and delivery.

You will ensure compliance with statutory requirements, internal governance, and grant funding conditions, and provide leadership in project and programme management, risk management, and continuous improvement. The role also includes supporting LLFA and CPA functions, including flood investigations, site visits, and Section 19 reporting where required.

The Project Lead will actively contribute to the wider FCRM team through mentoring, sharing project management expertise, and promoting a culture of high‑quality project delivery.

• Significant experience delivering complex public‑sector capital‑funded projects.
• Strong knowledge of flooding and coastal erosion processes, mitigation measures, and funding routes.
• Experience delivering Natural Flood Management (NFM) projects is beneficial.
• Strong project planning, programming, and risk and commercial management skills; familiarity with, or qualification in, a recognised project management framework or methodology such as APM or PRINCE2 is desirable.
• Knowledge of public sector financial and procurement processes and relevant procurement legislation.
• Experience procuring and managing consultants, contractors and professional service providers, and working collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, NEC contracts, and ability to use AutoCAD and GIS software is beneficial.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to prepare and present technical and non‑technical information clearly and effectively to a range of audiences; comfortable chairing and presenting at meetings, including within a public setting.
• A valid driving licence is essential for this role.

We are dedicated to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We are a proud Disability Confident Leader and an Age Friendly Employer, providing opportunities for everyone to thrive. We welcome applicants who identify as disabled, are in care or who have left care and are aged 24 and under, or are a member of the British Armed Forces community.

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for participants in the recruitment process and will listen to and accommodate reasonable requests when possible.