Principal Land Access Consultant in England

Location: Birmingham/ London/ Manchester/ Leeds

Full Time - Permanent

Division: Land Referencing

Salary: Competitive

About Us: Ardent is the UK's leading provider of land, consent management, and stakeholder engagement services, supporting major infrastructure and regeneration projects from concept to delivery. We are passionate about delivering life-improving change for communities and future generations.

Role Purpose: The Principal Land Access Consultant at Ardent plays a crucial role in leading and managing land access and referencing activities for major infrastructure and regeneration projects across the UK and Ireland. This position is focused on ensuring the successful delivery of these projects by providing expert technical advice, fostering strong client relationships, and ensuring the highest standards of quality and compliance. The role also involves mentoring and developing junior team members, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, and driving commercial performance. The Principal Consultant's leadership is essential in maintaining Ardent's reputation for excellence and reliability in the delivery of its services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Engagement: Boost team engagement by suggesting and supporting targeted initiatives, tracking progress, and contributing to a welcoming and inclusive work environment. Support the assistant people leader in surpassing engagement and inclusivity KPIs.
• Client and Technical Advisory: Liaise with landowners and colleagues, providing technical advice on land referencing outputs to clients and junior team members. Strengthen client relationships, improve project delivery, and reduce conflicts throughout the project lifecycle.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Support cross-working between Ardent's Directorates and increase the awareness and position of the Land Referencing team within the project team and wider business. Develop skills in assessing client needs and advising on next steps, mitigating risks, and identifying opportunities.
• Leadership and Guidance: Provide guidance and advice to clients, demonstrating leadership traits, taking ownership of tasks, and displaying confidence in client meetings. Manage and resolve conflicts diplomatically, align communication efforts with organizational goals, and support the People Leader in delivering team objectives.
• People Leadership: Engage the team as an Assistant People Leader, embodying Ardent's vision and values, and promoting a coaching and learning culture. Support the development of junior team members, leading to increased team motivation, engagement, and performance.
• Health and Safety: Promote a culture of wellness, identify health and wellbeing issues early, and engage proactively with People & Culture. Ensure team members have the right PPE and resources, encouraging regular communication on Health & Safety issues, leading to a safer and more compliant working environment.

Skills & Experience:

• Client Relationship Management: Experienced in building effective working relationships with clients and stakeholders, both internally and externally. Enhance cross-functional teamwork, leading to increased project efficiency and improved client satisfaction.
• Team Development: Inspire, develop, and empower high-performing teams. Foster a high-performing, engaged team by enhancing productivity and promoting a culture of trust and accountability.
• Resource Management: Identify the need for new resources within your team, considering the wider requirements of the Directorate. Source candidates by building networks within the industry, ensuring timely recruitment and alignment with organizational objectives.
• Business Development: Contribute to winning work by producing high-quality, successful tenders and securing new projects. Foster lasting client relationships, leading to repeat business and strengthening client trust.
• Technical Proficiency: Deliver all technical elements of a project's Land Referencing requirements, provide informed advice internally and externally, and understand differing consenting regimes and land team deliverables.
• Analytical Skills: Identify discrepancies between project scope and client requirements, communicate potential variations, and ensure project alignment and client satisfaction. Listen to and analyze team members' suggestions, fostering collaboration and innovation.

Pay Range and Compensation Package:

• Hybrid working
• 25 days of annual leave (with options to buy or carry over)
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Company pension scheme
• Benenden Health Care (mental health support, 24/7 GP services, physiotherapy, optical and dental cover, personal accident protection)
• Cycle to Work scheme, electric car leasing, recognition awards, long service leave, discretionary annual bonus scheme

Equal Opportunity Statement: We're proud to be an equal opportunities employer, and we're passionate about creating a workplace where you're empowered to bring your authentic self to work every day. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team where everyone belongs. We welcome talent from all backgrounds and actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups.

If you're ready to grow with a business that's scaling rapidly and making a real impact, you're in the right place!