Senior Flood Risk Consultant: Unda

Salary: £32,000–£45,000 per annum (full-time), depending on qualifications and experience, plus bi-annual performance bonus
Contract: Permanent
Location: Crawley, West Sussex

This is an office-based position at Unda’s own premises, Oak Cottage, a distinctive Grade II listed building in County Oak, Crawley. The office provides a professional environment designed to support close collaboration, mentoring and technical delivery.

The location offers convenient transport connections, including proximity to Three Bridges and Gatwick Airport railway stations, along with access to major road links. Local amenities, shops and green spaces are within walking distance.

Applicants must already have the unrestricted right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

About Unda

Unda is a specialist flood risk and drainage consultancy operating across England and Wales. We provide detailed, site-specific technical advice covering Flood Risk Assessments, surface and foul water drainage strategies, SuDS design, Sequential and Exception Tests and flood modelling.

Our work supports development projects across the full planning process, from early site appraisal through to detailed drainage design and discharge of planning conditions. We also undertake flood risk and drainage assessments for insurance, land acquisition, due diligence, conveyancing and business continuity purposes.

Alongside private-sector consultancy, we support Local Planning Authorities and Lead Local Flood Authorities with flood and drainage responsibilities, providing technical input into regulatory decision-making. Where required, we coordinate complementary services such as surveying and geotechnical investigations to ensure clients receive coherent technical advice.

Unda operates as a focused, technically rigorous consultancy. We prioritise clear analysis, defensible reporting and direct communication, enabling clients to understand and manage flood risk and drainage constraints within development and property decisions.

The Role

As a Senior Flood Risk Consultant, you will play a key role within Unda’s senior team, bringing technical expertise and professional judgement to the delivery of complex flood risk assessments and advisory work.

You will lead projects, undertake and oversee hydraulic flood modelling, and ensure the quality and defensibility of technical outputs across the consultancy. The role combines hands-on technical delivery, project leadership, client advisory work and commercial consultancy within a small specialist team.

Working closely with the senior management team, you will contribute to project strategy, commercial decision-making and the continued growth of the consultancy. You will also manage and mentor junior consultants, helping develop their technical capability while maintaining the high professional standards expected across the business.

You will also contribute to the development of new technical approaches and digital tools, including the responsible use of AI and emerging technologies within consultancy workflows.

Key Responsibilities

Flood Risk Assessment & Technical Leadership

• Leading the preparation of Flood Risk Assessments for planning, due diligence, insurance, conveyancing and advisory purposes
• Assessing flood risk from all sources including fluvial, pluvial, groundwater, reservoir and sewer flooding
• Applying climate change allowances and assessing future flood risk scenarios
• Identifying mitigation strategies and assessing residual risk, including safe access and egress

Flood Modelling

• Undertaking hydraulic flood modelling to support site-specific flood risk assessments
• Building and running models using recognised software such as TUFLOW, Flood Modeller, HEC-RAS or similar tools
• Preparing model inputs, analysing outputs and producing supporting technical documentation
• Reviewing third-party modelling work where relevant

Planning & Advisory Work

• Supporting or leading Sequential and Exception Tests
• Advising on flood risk constraints during site appraisal and development feasibility
• Providing clear and defensible technical advice to planning authorities, regulators and project teams

Project & Team Management

• Managing projects from scoping and quotation through to submission and technical response
• Allocating work across the team and ensuring effective delivery
• Providing day-to-day management and mentoring for graduate and consultant-level staff

Technical Quality Assurance

• Reviewing Flood Risk Assessments and related reports produced by the team
• Ensuring work complies with planning policy, guidance and regulatory requirements
• Providing final technical review and sign-off where appropriate

Innovation & Technology

• Supporting the development of new tools and technologies that improve technical delivery
• Exploring the use of AI and automation tools to improve research, data analysis, modelling workflows and reporting
• Contributing to research and development initiatives within the consultancy

Commercial & Business Development

• Working with senior management on project scoping, quoting and pricing
• Ensuring projects are delivered efficiently and commercially
• Identifying opportunities for new work and strengthening client relationships
• Supporting proposal preparation and helping secure new projects

What We’re Looking For

Essential

• Degree in Geography, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering or a related discipline
• Chartered professional (e.g. CIWEM) or at the final stages of achieving chartership
• Significant experience preparing Flood Risk Assessments within a consultancy environment
• Strong understanding of flood risk planning policy and the National Planning Policy Framework
• Hands-on experience undertaking hydraulic flood modelling using recognised industry software
• Experience managing projects and coordinating client communication
• Ability to lead, mentor and review the work of more junior consultants
• Excellent written communication and report-writing skills
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Interest in improving technical workflows and leading the adoption of new technologies and AI tools

Desirable

• Experience preparing or supporting Sequential and Exception Tests
• Experience integrating drainage strategy or SuDS design with flood risk assessments
• Experience contributing to research, innovation or development of new services within a consultancy
• Experience delivering technical training or CPD sessions
• Active participation in professional networks or industry groups
• Experience working within the Scottish planning system, including familiarity with SEPA guidance and NPF4

Who This Role Suits

This role suits an experienced flood risk professional who enjoys combining technical expertise with team leadership, client engagement and commercial consultancy.

You are likely to be someone who:

• Is a people-focused leader, comfortable managing and developing junior consultants
• Builds strong relationships with clients, regulators and project partners
• Understands the commercial realities of consultancy, including scope, pricing and project profitability
• Is proactive in identifying opportunities for new work and helping convert enquiries into projects
• Is confident representing the consultancy in discussions with clients and regulators
• Takes pride in developing others and helping build a high-performing team

For the right individual, the role offers the opportunity to progress into a broader leadership position as the consultancy continues to grow.

Working Environment & Culture

A specialist, close-knit consultancy
Unda operates as a focused flood risk and drainage consultancy with a small, cohesive team. Everyone works closely together and individual contribution is visible. There is no separation between “junior” and “senior” teams — collaboration is central to how projects are delivered.

Agile and responsive structure
We are structured to respond quickly to changing client requirements and evolving policy. Decision-making is direct and proportionate, allowing projects to progress efficiently without unnecessary layers of management.

High standards and technical integrity
We take pride in producing robust, defensible reports that withstand regulatory scrutiny. Peer review, open technical discussion and attention to detail are embedded in day-to-day delivery.

Collaborative and accountable
Team members are encouraged to challenge ideas constructively, contribute to technical discussions and take ownership of outcomes. Support and accountability operate together — individuals are trusted with responsibility and expected to deliver to a high standard.

Commercially aware and outcome-focused
Our work must be technically rigorous while also commercially viable and practical for clients. Understanding project objectives, timescales and development constraints is therefore an important part of our consultancy approach.

Strong team cohesion
Regular team days and activities help maintain alignment, collaboration and shared direction as the business grows.

Reward & Financial Benefits

Competitive salary, reviewed annually
Salaries are reviewed annually to reflect performance, development and contribution to the business.

Bi-annual team performance bonus
Paid twice a year following successful completion of probation, this discretionary bonus is linked to overall company performance and represents a significant proportion of total annual remuneration.

25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
Annual leave is provided in addition to bank holidays. Leave can be bought or sold to suit individual circumstances, with carry-over available in line with company policy.

Pension scheme
We operate a workplace pension scheme with employer contributions.

Fully funded professional membership and chartership fees
CIWEM membership and chartership application fees are fully funded.

Practical travel benefits
Employees have access to discounted bus and train travel through the Manor Royal BID scheme.