Flood Programme Manager

Overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic, dedicated and experienced programme manager to manage Buckinghamshire Council’s exciting >£10mill capital and >£7mill revenue flood resilience innovation programmes.

This role involves progressing diverse schemes through required project life cycle stages (including feasibility, design, development, delivery and review) that vary widely in scope from research and education, modelling and mapping, property flood resilience, warning systems, community funding, and nature-based solutions, to hard engineering solutions to reduce flood risk.

You will manage a team of around 5 people and collaborate with both in-house and external specialists to ensure the successful delivery of the programmes.

About us

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 deliver the statutory duties of the LLFA under the Flood and Water Management Act (2010) and Land Drainage Act (1991), develop and deliver a number of flood management and research projects, and guide the flood management approach on large infrastructure projects.

Project Groundwater is a one of the country’s leading flood risk innovation projects. It is part of the Flood & Coastal Resilience & Innovation Programme, a six-year programme working with communities in nine high-risk flood areas of the Chiltern Hills and Berkshire Downs. Led by Buckinghamshire Council in partnership with five other local authorities and Flood Community Groups, Project Groundwater aims to forever transform how communities prepare and respond to groundwater flooding.

The council’s Capital Flood Programme includes the delivery of impressive flood alleviation and resilience projects in Marlow, Chesham and elsewhere in Buckingham (such as the nature-based solutions in North Buckinghamshire river catchments). The projects are funded from external public sources (Defra/Environment Agency), like the workstreams delivered by Project Groundwater, but the Capital Flood Programme also benefits from a multi-million pound investment from the council.

Alex Beckett, Climate Change & Flood Risk Manager said “This substantial role leads on the implementation and management of pioneering and high impact programmes that make will make a huge difference to communities at risk of flooding. It is a great opportunity for a dynamic self-starter with an impressive background in flood risk management and construction project delivery.”

About the role

The postholder will be responsible for delivering Project Groundwater and the Capital Flood Programme. These are non-statutory areas of work which have a high profile and are critical to achieving the following objectives in our Local Flood Risk Management Strategy:

• to develop and promote better understanding and awareness of flood risk from all sources, now and in the future.
• to improve innovation, skills and resourcing in flood risk management in Buckinghamshire.
• to manage flood risk through our capital programme, using sustainable techniques, nature-based solutions and adaptive pathways in delivering our flood risk management activities, projects, and schemes.

The main responsibilities and duties of the Flood Programme Manager are to:

• Work closely with the Climate Change and Flood Risk Manager, team members, and other stakeholders to effectively deliver the Project Groundwater and Flood Resilience programmes.
• Robustly manage: project and programme budgets; and applications to and administration of funding from external organisations.
• Lead project planning and implementation to ensure timely and budget-compliant delivery.
• Undertake relevant tender procurement and contract management processes.
• Secure technical, financial, and cabinet member approvals through correct governance procedures.
• Lead the production and delivery of high-quality project documents and records such as risk and issue logs, business cases, and reports.
• Ensure proactive and reactive communications are fit-for-purpose.

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

You will have substantial experience of managing construction projects; and flood management projects (including projects funded by the Environment Agency/Defra). As such you will have excellent planning and organisation; stakeholder relationship; procurement, budget and contract management skills, and have knowledge of relevant systems, legislation, policies, and funding in relation to flood risk management.

For additional details, please see the attached job summary.

Other information

Number of positions available: 1 permanent contract.

Interview-type / process: In person at Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 1UA.

For additional information or an informal conversation about this role or the team’s work, please contact Alex Beckett ([email protected]; 01296 382 495)

Interview dates to be confirmed but likely to be May 2025.

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 close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, 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/