Principal Environmental and Sustainability Consultant - Water Resources Planning

Principal Environmental and Sustainability Consultant – Water Resources Planning

Location: UK-wide, South East England preferred

Recruiter contact: Laura Easdon

Mott Mac Donald is a global engineering consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries. We deliver work that has a positive societal impact in the communities we serve.

We are seeking a Principal Environmental and Sustainability Consultant to lead the environmental workstream for predominantly water sector planning projects. This role focuses on technical delivery and overseeing project progress in a highly collaborative multidisciplinary environment.

• Lead the environmental workstream for water planning projects, ensuring high‑quality deliverables.
• Provide technical leadership and innovation to multidisciplinary teams.
• Drive technical excellence, sustainable outcomes, and manage client engagement with stakeholders.
• Part of our Environmental & Sustainability Services (ESS) team.

• Technical lead and delivery of environmental work streams for water planning projects, ensuring high‑quality deliverables.
• Providing technical leadership to environmental and sustainability project teams.
• Driving technical excellence, innovation and sustainable outcomes.
• Technical checker/approver roles.
• Client engagement with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders from both the public and private sector.
• Developing fee estimates.

Essential

• Experience leading environmental assessments in the water sector or other sectors.
• Experience of strategic water planning such as Water Resource Management Plans, Regional Water Resource Plans, Drought Plans, Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans.
• Qualified in a related technical subject (minimum Bachelor’s degree).
• Experience working in diverse multidisciplinary teams and leading teams to deliver environmental and sustainability deliverables at high standard.
• Experience in a client‑facing environment and ability to build relationships and influence stakeholders.
• Well‑organised with strong planning and management skills, ability to manage budgets and projects.
• Ability to problem‑solve, think creatively, and pursue continual improvement.

Desirable

• Significant experience in Strategic Environmental Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment, Natural Capital Assessment.
• Qualified to Master’s degree level in a relevant subject.
• Chartered with a professional institution (e.g., CIWEM, ISEP) or equivalent level.

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan, Peppy support, comprehensive wellbeing program.
• Financial wellbeing: matched pension contributions, life assurance, income protection, flexible benefits.
• Holiday: minimum 33‑35 days per year, plus flexible leave options.
• Enhanced family leave policies.
• Learning and development including professional institution subscription.
• Inclusive networks and community opportunities.

Apply now to join Mott Mac Donald’s environmentally focused team.