Flood Modelling Leader

We’re looking for a talented and motivated Flood Modelling Leader to join our Christchurch team and contribute to high-impact projects across Aotearoa. This senior role is ideal for someone with a postgraduate qualification in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Geography, or Natural Resource Management, and at least 10 years’ experience in flood modelling, flood risk analysis, extreme event analysis, or hydrological and hydraulic assessment. You’ll become a key member of a passionate, multidisciplinary team – working alongside some of New Zealand’s leading scientists and engineers – while making a meaningful impact and advancing your career with a company that values innovation, collaboration, and environmental stewardship.

About the role

In this role, you’ll take a leading position in delivering high-quality flood modelling and hydrology consultancy services. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Leading, managing, and growing our flood modelling and hydrology service offerings.
• Overseeing a wide range of technical tasks, including hydraulic investigations, flood risk assessments, hydrological analyses, and dam break assessments.
• Driving business development by maintaining strong client relationships, identifying new opportunities, and enhancing both your own and the company’s profile – such as through presenting at industry conferences.
• Managing projects end-to-end: coordinating internal teams and subcontractors, liaising with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies, while ensuring delivery on time and within budget.
• Preparing high-quality technical reports and documentation to support client needs and regulatory requirements.
• Providing expert evidence in hearings and presenting findings clearly and confidently.
• Delivering turn-key solutions – from initial client engagement to proposal, development, and successful project completion.
• Contributing technical input to resource consent applications and reviewing work prepared by others.
• Ensuring compliance with company policies in health and safety, quality management, administration, and technical standards.
• Collaborating closely with Senior Scientists and Engineers across multidisciplinary projects.

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for someone who is passionate about protecting and enhancing the environment, and who thrives on applying their expertise to a diverse range of projects. You’ll be part of a team that values quality, innovation, and practical solutions. To succeed in this role, you’ll ideally have:

• A postgraduate qualification in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.
• Recognition as a contributor within New Zealand’s modelling sector, with a desire to further develop your expertise and influence.
• Strong technical skills, particularly in hydrological and hydraulic modelling tools such as TUFLOW, HEC-RAS, InfoWorks, and HEC-HMS, along with working knowledge of GIS systems.
• Proven commercial acumen and business development experience, coupled with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to juggle multiple projects, prioritise effectively, and deliver results under pressure.
• A practical, solutions-focused mindset with the ability to tackle complex challenges with confidence.
• A broad-based engineering or scientific background, backed by hands-on experience in the field.
• Strong technical report writing, data analysis, and data management capabilities.
• Great interpersonal skills, a willingness to collaborate, and an eagerness to keep learning.
• A positive, proactive attitude and a genuine team-player approach.
• The flexibility to travel and work in remote locations across New Zealand when required.

What we offer

• A comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, income protection, salary top up for parental leave and the ability to purchase extra annual leave.
• Flexible/hybrid working culture, facilitating a healthy work-life balance.
• Professional development opportunities, including support for ongoing training and education, and fully subsidised membership fees.
• The chance to work on meaningful projects that make a difference to our environment.
• A vibrant environment, committed to fostering a workplace that embraces diversity and inclusion.

About Us

PDP is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading environmental science, engineering, and advisory consultancies. We care deeply about our environment and aspire to work in ways that meet today’s needs while providing for future generations.

Our team of specialists deliver a range of innovative solutions that support our clients’ environmental challenges. We cover everything from air and land to water-related projects.

We take pride in being an employee-owned and operated company with nearly 40 years of experience operating in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Our solutions consistently exceed client expectations, leading to significant, meaningful environmental outcomes for our clients.