Market
Water
Water Framework Directive (WFD) Associate Director
Jacobs
Manchester, UK
Posted on Dec 9, 2025
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
Your impact
As part of a 2000 strong team with extensive reach back into multi discipline special teas within our global Jacobs family, in this exciting newly created role you will play a vital role in in our continued growth and success, supporting Water Framework Directive Assessments, Environmental Impact Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments, alongside undertaking the delivery of consenting and advisory solutions applied to major high profile national infrastructure projects across water utilities, power, port and maritime developments, and transport schemes across the Uk and Ireland.
Remit and responsiblities will include:
- Deliver complex projects across WFD, river basin management, and other water-related regulatory frameworks (CAR, EIA, HRA)
- Identify WFD waterbodies, evaluate their ecological status, and assess construction impacts.
- First point of contact (subject matter expert advice) to Clients, stakeholders and regulatory bodies, applying knowledge of WFD derogation rules and surface water management to deliver successful outcomes.
- Develop and implement appropriate mitigation measures and strategies across potential construction related impacts.
- Key interface across multi discipline project teams, creating a collaborative culture and expediting effective solutions.
- Take an active role in your own and colleagues professional development, through our Global Career Framework, Chartership Academy Programme, Employee Networks and our Communities of Practice networks.
- Be integral to the development of innovative and creative solutions to enable and facilitate growth and diversification.
Here's what you'll need
We would be delighted to hear from candidates with demonstrable experience in Water Framework Directive, Environmental Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment, who have a real blend of the the following skills and attributes:
- Chartered with relevant Degree / Msc.
- Demonstrable experience of Waterbody assessment: WFD waterbodies their evaluation, ecological status.
- A track record in working with Regulatory bodies to ensure governance and compliance.
- An established solutions and commercial mindset, able to convert innovative and new ideas into opportunities.
- In-depth understanding of the water industry landscape, including market trends, regulatory changes, and emerging challenges.
- Collaborative leadership skills, with experience of delivering of complex projects in a client-focused environment.
#-LINM1
Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.
With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.
We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.
Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https://www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.
As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.
Locations
| City | State | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol | Bristol City | United Kingdom |
