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Flood Risk Management Team Leader

Manchester City Council
locationManchester, UK
PublishedPublished: Published today
Flood Management
Permanent
About The Role

Working Hours: 35 Hours Per Week

Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Additional Payments: Casual Car Allowance

Closing Date: 11.59pm, 09 February 2026

Interview Method: Face to Face

Legal Right to Work: Applicants must have existing right to work in the UK, as visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application. However, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

This role is subject to -

2 References - where possible we require 3 years' history.

Qualification - Must hold a minimum of a HNC / HND in Engineering or another relevant subject with significant experience working as a water/flood management professional.

Casual Car Documentation- The successful candidate will be a designated Casual Car User which means that car journeys may be necessary on an occasional basis, but are not essential to the role. If you do drive, you must always hold a full valid driving licence and provide your own car for use at work, as well as provide all the appropriate documentation. You will receive an allowance per mile of business use.

The Highways Service plays a vital role in leading, managing, and delivering all highway-related activities across Manchester, ensuring the city's road network is maintained and improved to meet future needs. With ambitious plans to deliver the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040 and national transport priorities, the scale of work ahead offers exceptional opportunities for career growth across a wide range of professional disciplines. The successful candidate will be a key member of the Development and Growth area of Highways which works with partners to shape a strategic pipeline of projects for the next 5-10 years, aligned with Manchester's vision for growth. Join us and be part of a team driving transformative change for the city's transport network.

If you are successful you will lead a team of technical experts in assessing planning applications and managing flood risk across Manchester. This role involves providing specialist advice on surface water management, SuDS design, and compliance with national and local policies, as well as issuing land drainage consents and maintaining the flood risk asset register. You'll investigate flooding incidents, liaise with developers, planners, and other authorities, and ensure legal and safety standards are met. Strong knowledge of hydrology, hydraulic assessments, SuDS, and relevant legislation is essential, along with experience in GIS and asset management. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact in protecting communities and shaping sustainable development.

For an informal discussion, please contact the hiring manager, Muniza Usmani, at 0161 234 1543 and [email protected] to arrange a convenient time to discuss the role.

About the Candidate

We are seeking a Flood Risk Management Team Leader to lead the flood risk management team in delivering the responsibilities of the Lead Local Flood Authority. In this role, you will oversee the assessment of planning applications as a key consultee, ensuring timely and expert advice to support sustainable development. You will manage a team providing technical guidance, maintain the flood risk asset database, respond to data requests from developers and the public, and issue land drainage consents on behalf of MCC. Additionally, you will attend flooding incidents on MCC land, working closely with the Highway Maintenance Team to provide reactive support and recommendations. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong knowledge of flood risk management and excellent leadership skills to make a real impact in protecting communities and shaping future development.

Candidates must demonstrate the following generic skills requirements for the role:
  • Communication: Confidently convey complex information to all levels, adapting style for clarity and impact.
  • Leadership & Motivation: Inspire and engage teams, building strong relationships to achieve results.
  • Analysis: Break down complex data, spot patterns, and make informed decisions with a big-picture view.
  • Innovation: Deliver creative, practical solutions-even under pressure-while challenging the status quo.
  • Planning & Organisation: Set clear objectives, manage resources, and keep projects on track to meet deadlines.
  • Problem-Solving: Tackle high-risk, complex issues quickly and decisively with pragmatic solutions.
  • Creative Thinking: Anticipate future challenges and develop original strategies to meet business needs.
  • Financial Management: Implement robust governance and risk strategies for efficient financial control.
  • People Management: Lead, develop, and motivate teams, driving continuous improvement and high performance.
The following essential technical standards are required for candidates to be considered:
  • Significant experience of working within a highway or construction environment with a background in Flood Risk Management and technical assessment of planning applications
  • Must hold a minimum of a HNC / HND in Engineering or another relevant subject, and have significant experience in Highways / Construction.
About Us

We're the local council for one of the UK's most vibrant and diverse cities.

Working for Manchester isn't just a job - it's an opportunity to contribute to a city that leads change and transforms lives. Whether it's strengthening communities or driving innovation in public services, you'll play a vital role in creating opportunities and shaping a brighter future for everyone.

Our Manchester is our vision for a fairer, greener, and healthier city - a vision shaped by the people of Manchester. It guides everything we do at the Council and is brought to life through the Our Manchester behaviours:

  • We take time to listen and understand
  • We work together and trust each other
  • We show that we value our differences and treat each other fairly
  • We 'own it' and we're not afraid to try new things
  • We're proud and passionate about Manchester
Benefits we offer

  • Generous holiday allowance - Enjoy up to 26 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays. Increasing to 31 days after five years of local government service. Want more leave? You can purchase up to two additional weeks.
  • A buzzing pension - You'll be enrolled in the UK's largest local government pension scheme, with plenty of options to top up your benefits. Includes life cover of three-times your salary as a lump sum.
  • Enhanced parental and carers leave - Take advantage of our enhanced family leave options, designed to provide ample time for you to bond with your new born or support your family during critical life events.
  • Brilliant perks - Access a range of discounts, from saving on the weekly shop to holidays and days out with MCR+. Plus discounts on phone contracts, cycle to work scheme, free flu jabs and eye tests, and more.
  • Learn and grow - We are dedicated to nurturing talent and providing you with the tools to thrive. Take part in a diverse set of learning opportunities, from workshops and training sessions through to apprenticeships and qualifications. All this begins with our comprehensive onboarding process.
  • A Good Employment Charter member - We are committed to offering secure, flexible work and embedding fairness into everything we do. We review pay annually, recognize three trade unions, and are constantly working to offer the best possible health and wellbeing support throughout all stages of your working life.
  • Up to 3 days volunteering leave - Give back to the community with three days pro-rate of paid volunteering leave, in addition to existing benefits.
Creating an Inclusive Team at Manchester City Council

At Manchester City Council, we're dedicated to creating a workplace that truly reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We actively welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds, particularly from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, Disabled people and young people.

Support During the Process

  • Interview Adjustments: Let us know if you need any adjustments to demonstrate your suitability during the interview.
  • Accessible Formats: Our ReciteMe tool can be accessed through the "Accessibility tools" button at the top of our careers page. This tool offers features like text-to-speech, translation into multiple languages, and adjustable text size and colour to make our site more accessible for everyone.
Guaranteed Assessment Scheme

We guarantee assessments for applicants who meet the recruiting panels minimum shortlisting requirements for the role and identify with at least one of the criteria below:

  • Members of the Armed Forces members or veterans
  • Current or former care leavers
  • Have a disability or long-term condition
When You Join Us

We're a Disability Confident Employer, offering:

  • A workplace adjustment hub which provides specialist support, advice and guidance to ensure you have the adjustments needed to thrive at work.
  • Disabled Staff Network, Neurodiversity Staff Network and Mental Health Staff Network that provides a safe inclusive space to share experiences and opportunities to influence council practice.
  • A strong commitment to ensuring all information adheres to accessibility standards and that our workplaces are accessible and disability-friendly.
For more information about the role or any adjustments, email [email protected].

What we will need from you if you're successful

In accordance with Home Office guidance, successful candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK before commencement of employment. This is not a role we consider to be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route based on Manchester City Council policy. Candidates are therefore encouraged to consider their own right to work options without the requirement for Manchester City Council sponsorship.

Pre-Employment Checks

If you are successful in securing a position with us, the pre-employment checks required will depend on the role you've applied for. As a guide, these checks may include:

  • Proof of Right to Work: You'll need to provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the UK.
  • References: We'll require references from your current and previous employer(s).
  • Proof of Qualifications: Evidence of qualifications relevant to the role will be required.
  • Driving Licence: If the role requires driving, we'll need evidence of your valid driving licence.
These checks are an important part of our commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our workforce and the community we serve.

Other relevant information

We want everyone to be able to be themselves at work and give their best. If you need additional support to undertake the duties of the role, we'll make every effort to source any necessary aids, adaptations or equipment. If, however, any task proves to be unachievable, we will look at redesigning parts of the role.

For more information about the role, please ensure that you read the role profile attached.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

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