Sustainable Drainage Team Leader

Overview

Would you like to lead a dynamic team that ensures that new developments throughout Buckinghamshire are designed to account for and manage surface water flood risk? We have a great opportunity for a Sustainable Drainage Team Leader to join the team. 

About us

Buckinghamshire Council is a relatively new organisation that combines the strengths and expertise of the previous five councils in the county to create positive change for local people, communities, and businesses. We are firmly focused on the future and have made a clear commitment to serve residents better and to provide stronger representation for Buckinghamshire, both locally and nationally. 

The council’s Planning, Growth and Sustainability Directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire. It delivers planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property management services. The Directorate’s key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. It also aims to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

The Flood Risk Management Team (managed by the Climate Change and Flood Risk Manager) manages flood risk in Buckinghamshire Council’s role as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA).  The Team is comprised of the Strategic Flood Management Team, the Sustainable Drainage Team, Project Groundwater and the Capital Flood Programme; with officers that are enthusiastic and passionate about managing local flood risk. 

The Flood Risk Management Team delivers the statutory duties of the LLFA under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991), development and delivery of a number of flood management and research projects, and guiding the flood management approach on large infrastructure projects.

The Sustainable Drainage Team is responsible for mitigating, as far as practicable, negative flood risk impacts arising from new developments. This is achieved through responses to consultations on new developments, imposing planning conditions, providing pre planning application advice, and helping shape sustainable drainage planning policy.

It’s a great time to join our team. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

About the role

This role will require you to lead the engagement with planning officers, developers and their drainage consultants and as well as other Risk Management Authorities (RMAs) to ensure a sustainable approach to managing surface water runoff.

The successful candidate will lead the team in shaping how sustainable drainage is promoted across the county through the delivery guidance documents and projects. There will also be the opportunity to work on other flood risk management activities where appropriate.

You will take the lead role in co-ordinating the teams response to the emerging evidence base to support the Local Plan for Buckinghamshire, and supporting the development of planning policy around flood risk and drainage.

Working with the Climate Change and Flood Risk Manager and Heads of service to support business planning and delivery of the team and service strategies will be part of the role.

Any-Desk:

As an ‘any-desk’ worker, you’ll need to be connected to our network to access digital folders and resources, but this can either be from home or an office location when required. You will be required to work from the office a couple of times a week, depending on your role and team requirements.

 

About you

• Degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline is essential.
• Has relevant advanced technical skills in Sustainable Drainage Systems including for strategic sites
• Has experience of leading and supporting others to deliver their roles within Sustainable Drainage statutory role
• Has experience and understanding of appeals, hearing and inquiries in the planning arena
• Has knowledge of roles and responsibilities of the Lead Local Flood Authority
• Ability to manage and prioritise own workload and manage others to meet deadlines
• Has experience of taking a lead in building and maintaining relationships with a range of stakeholders, and an ability to represent professional service area both internally and externally
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication and presentation skills.
• Able to provide authoritative specialist advice under pressure 

Other information

This is a full-time, maternity cover, FTC/Secondment up to and including 19th December 2025.

Closing date: 21st September 2025

Interview: In person at Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UA.

For additional information or an informal conversation about this role, please contact Alexander Beckett ([email protected]; 01296 382 495)

This post is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare:

• All unspent cautions and/or unspent convictions

For further information on how long it takes for cautions and convictions cautions to become spent, please refer to our guide on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (updated 2023) | Nacro

We reserve the right to interview and appoint to the position before the application deadline so please be advised to submit your application as early as possible.

Our values and culture

We have a set of values, which our employees have chosen, that represent what we are – Proud, Ambitious, Collaborative and Trustworthy.

By joining Buckinghamshire Council, you can expect:

• a fair and inclusive culture
• the chance to really make a difference to those around you
• health and well-being initiatives including an Employee Assistance Programme, Mental Health First Aiders and mindfulness workshops
• a unified voice through our Employee Representative Group
• ongoing support, and the opportunity to develop and progress in your career with us
• opportunities to take part in fun activities such as fundraising and social events

At Buckinghamshire Council, we know that our biggest strength comes from the people that work for us, and that’s why we’re working hard to ensure we continue to be an accessible and inclusive organisation.

From dedicated staff networks overseen by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group, to proudly standing as a Disability Confident employer, it’s important to us that all our colleagues feel engaged, listened to, and valued. Our offer of flexible working empowers a productive and happy workforce and allows employees to combine work with other responsibilities and commitments.

We believe our workforce should reflect the diverse communities we service in Buckinghamshire, and are looking for like-minded individuals to join us in promoting equality, fairness, and inclusion for everyone.

About the Business Unit

Our Planning, Growth and Sustainability directorate works with partners to help shape the future of Buckinghamshire.  We deliver services on planning, economic growth, regeneration, strategic infrastructure, transport and property.

 Our key priorities include developing the economic narrative for Bucks, creating more jobs and delivering the right infrastructure to help businesses and residents thrive. We also aim to provide a proactive planning service that is responsive, whilst making the best use of the Council’s land and property portfolio. This will in turn support community services and create housing, jobs, regeneration and income to support public services.

 It’s a great time to join one of our teams. As part of the Planning, Growth and Sustainability function you will not only get to help shape the economic future of Buckinghamshire; you’ll also be involved in delivering high-profile development projects and work on some of the biggest infrastructure projects in the UK. You will support us to deliver the results that our local residents and businesses deserve.

We recognise and reward you

Hard work and success deserves recognition. That’s why we pride ourselves on the benefits we give our people. We actively encourage a good work-life balance and promote flexible and agile working arrangements. We provide discounts on various Cafés, restaurants, shops and auto enrolment onto our generous Pension Scheme. In addition to the opportunity to gain membership to Costco, we have discounted gym memberships, travel discounts with Arriva and much more.

https://jobs.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/working-buckinghamshire-council/