Meet Nicole, Project Lead and Advisor Flood Protection

From Hydraulic Engineer to Project Lead

"After completing my Civil Engineering studies, I started working as a Hydraulic Engineering Consultant at Royal HaskoningDHV. In this role, I was involved in tasks such as assessing riverbank protection and developing hydraulic models. After about three years, our team began working on the River Space and Flood Protection Program, which required feasibility studies. It was no longer just about calculating a design; we also had to prepare environmental impact assessments, for example. That's when I started to develop myself in that direction. Coordinating and integrating engineering into comprehensive reports was something I thoroughly enjoyed doing. In the years that followed, I developed myself, with a brief detour as a team manager, into the role of Project Manager, focusing on feasibility studies where both design and the environmental process play a significant role. I primarily work on major river and dike reinforcement projects, collaborating with water authorities, provinces, and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat), and working closely with contractors."

Nicole’s favourite project

"One of my favourite projects is the one I am currently working on - the detailed planning and preparation for the realisation of the Integrated Area Development Meandering Maas. This project involves not only strengthening 26 kilometres of dikes but also includes a vast floodplain area where channels need to be excavated to create more space for the river, nature development, and recreation. It's a great example of a project where everything comes together.” “In this project, I have the role of Integrated Design Leader and Project Manager, responsible for the development of the Final Design and playing a significant role in coordinating between the water board, the contractor, and all other involved parties."

Setting your own course

"What I enjoy about my job is that I get to work with the world's top water safety experts to create something beautiful, and there's always something new and challenging in every project. You can choose which projects you'd like to be a part of and in which direction you want to develop. Each project unfolds in a completely new environment, making it feel like you have a brand-new job with every new project. So, even with 20 years at the same company, there's never a dull moment." "In our group, we work on both national and international projects, and you are free to choose what suits you best. I mostly work on Dutch projects because I enjoy it. But because the colleagues working on international projects are in the same group and even in the same app group, we have very short lines of communication, and exchanging information among each other is easy and enjoyable."