Principal Flood and Water Management Officer

Lead vital flood resilience projects to protect our neighbourhoods and keep our communities safe, prepared and future-proofed.

As our Principal Flood and Water Management Officer, you’ll play a pivotal role in strengthening flood resilience across Kensington and Chelsea. It’s a position with real borough-wide impact – giving you the chance to drive forward innovative climate adaptation schemes, protect local infrastructure and support residents when they need it most.

You’ll be based in the Borough for two or three days each week, playing a key role in serving the local community. Whether you’re visiting sites, meeting residents or collaborating with colleagues in our accessible office near the high street, you’ll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference to people’s everyday lives.

Your focus will be leading our response to planning applications, providing essential drainage advice on major developments whilst managing strategic flood mitigation projects across the borough.

Every day, you’ll be out and about driving high-profile, nationally recognised initiatives, from innovative sustainable drainage on Portobello Road to flagship schemes in our parks. Working across Council departments and alongside external partners, you’ll explore fresh approaches to flood resilience and secure vital grant funding from government bodies to keep projects moving forward.

A key part of your role will involve guiding our statutory responsibilities as the Lead Local Flood Authority. You’ll ensure our asset register and flood risk strategies remain up to date and technically robust, while investigating flooding incidents, commissioning technical research and coordinating infrastructure schemes that deliver lasting protection for our residents.

For further details, please review the Job Description and Person Specification.

You’ll bring extensive experience in delivering flood management projects at a senior or principal level, alongside a degree in planning, civil engineering, environmental management or a related discipline. We’re looking for someone with chartered membership of a relevant professional body, or someone actively working towards it.

You’ll have a strong background in public sector procurement and a proven track record of securing external funding. Because you’ll be engaging directly with residents affected by flooding, you’ll approach conversations with empathy and understanding, communicating complex technical advice clearly and listening to local concerns.

Highly organised and calm under pressure, you’ll confidently handle a varied workload and manage competing priorities with ease. You’ll also bring a collaborative, partnership-led approach, working closely with Thames Water, the Environment Agency and your wider network of officers across London to build lasting resilience.

At RBKC, we’re all in – investing in our people, our communities and our future.

You’ll join a supportive, forward-thinking team where your technical expertise is genuinely valued and your leadership can drive positive change. This role offers genuine autonomy, empowering you to shape strategic priorities and deliver well-resourced projects that are recognised nationally for their quality and innovation.

We will invest in your professional development through continuous learning, offering you the space to collaborate across different service areas and work on world-renowned local sites. Alongside a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a flexible hybrid working pattern and an environment where you can see the direct, tangible impact of your work on the ground.

Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique…