Associate Director – Ground & Water

We are seeking an Associate Director to play a key role in growing and leading our Ground & Water business in the North East, with a strong focus on business development, client leadership, and team growth alongside technical and project delivery.

As an Associate Director, you will operate as a senior leader within the Ground & Water team, responsible for driving business growth, strengthening client relationships, and ensuring successful delivery of complex, multi-disciplinary projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Business Development & Growth: Lead the identification, pursuit and conversion of new business opportunities across the North East and wider UK market, while developing and maintaining strong relationships with key clients and acting as a senior point of contact.
• Client & Project Leadership: Act as Project Director on key projects, with accountability for delivery to time, cost and quality, alongside full responsibility for commercial performance, financial management, and effective risk management and governance.
• Leadership & Team Development: Lead, mentor and develop teams within the Newcastle office and wider region, supporting recruitment, retention and capability development aligned to business growth.
• Commercial & Operational Performance: Take accountability for project and regional financial performance, including revenue generation and profitability through effective margin management.
• Technical Leadership & Assurance: Provide senior technical oversight and maintain high standards of delivery, acting as a subject matter expert in contaminated land, hydrogeology or remediation (or related disciplines).

Requirements

• A degree (and ideally postgraduate qualification) in environmental science, geology, engineering, or a related discipline
• Chartered status with a relevant professional body
• Significant experience in Ground & Water, contaminated land, or related consultancy services
• A proven track record in:
• Winning work and building client relationships
• Delivering complex projects
• Leading teams and developing people
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of consultancy delivery models
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills