About The Role

Are you ready to lead in a time of real momentum for water quality? Do you thrive on delivering complex, high-impact environmental programmes and want the freedom to shape a role around your own strengths — whether that’s team leadership, client development, or technical delivery?

We’re looking for an Associate Director to join our award-winning Water Quality Division— a senior leadership role at the heart of APEM’s continued success. 2025 has been a year of significant growth for our water sector business, and with a strong pipeline of work secured for 2026, this is an exceptional opportunity to help shape our next phase of expansion.

You’ll lead delivery across major water and sediment quality projects, working with clients including water companies, regulators, and developers. Our team is the key provider of transitional and coastal investigation survey projects across England and Wales — and as part of our future with Applus+, you’ll have the opportunity to help us diversify further into new markets.

Whether your passion lies in leading people, building trusted client relationships, or delivering technically complex programmes, we’ll tailor the role to your strengths. You’ll work alongside expert colleagues across APEM’s aquatic disciplines — from hydroecology and hydromorphology to EIA and marine — in a role where collaboration, autonomy, and innovation thrive.

What we’re looking for

You’ll need to bring:

Significant experience working in water or sediment quality, including project or programme leadership

A strong track record of delivering complex and large-scale environmental programmes
Strong client-facing and stakeholder engagement skills
Experience managing multidisciplinary teams or mentoring junior colleagues
Excellent commercial and financial acumen
A collaborative mindset and strong communication skills
Experience working in a consultancy environment

It’s a bonus if you have:

A relevant higher degree or chartership (or are working towards it)
Business development experience, including leading or supporting tenders
Strong data interpretation and reporting skills
An interest in growing a team or building technical capabilities

About us

At APEM, we balance technical excellence with flexibility and wellbeing. You’ll join a highly skilled and supportive team that values expertise, collaboration, and autonomy. Our integration into the Applus+ Group opens new doors for growth and diversification, giving you the platform to make a real impact — both in shaping your role and influencing the future of water quality consultancy.

Next steps

We are focused on creating a diverse and inclusive team. If you can’t tick every box on our job description, then we are still keen to hear from you and are open to supporting your development. That may be working part time or supporting you to gain experience in a specific area – we are a growing company and are able to adapt roles to reflect individual skills.

If you think you have what it takes to join our fast-growing business, then please apply immediately on our website. All we need is some basic information and your CV, we will review all applications quickly and will respond to all applications.

About Us

The APEM Group is a global environmental consultancy, we work with a range of clients including large corporations and governments to help them understand and solve a wide variety of environmental projects in the UK and globally. Our successful pioneering work has enabled us to grow and combine forces with other businesses who share our ethos and integrity. At our core, our people are working towards the protection of the environment across the globe.

Associate Director – Water Quality