At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead consent management for major infrastructure projects and mentor junior team members.
- Company: Join Ardent, a leading provider in land and consent management services.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, health care, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on significant projects while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management and knowledge of complex planning processes required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester (Hybrid working)
Contract: Full time
Salary: Competitive
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. Established in 1992, we are a fast-growing, purpose-led business working at the heart of the UK and Ireland’s net zero, growth and regeneration agendas.
We’re now looking for an Associate Director – Consents Management to provide senior leadership across the full lifecycle of planning consent delivery and implementation on complex, nationally significant projects.
This is a senior, high-impact role within an emerging and specialist discipline. You’ll lead the strategic management of Development Consent Orders (DCOs), Transport and Works Act Orders (TWAOs) and other major consents, integrating them seamlessly into design, procurement and construction.
You’ll work at the centre of multi-disciplinary teams – planners, engineers, environmental specialists, legal advisers, land teams and engagement professionals – ensuring consents are not just achieved, but are buildable, compliant and deliverable.
As a people leader, you’ll also play a key role in developing capability, shaping our Consent Management offering and living our values every day.
What you’ll do
- Lead the end-to-end management of consent programmes across major infrastructure and regeneration projects
- Develop and maintain consent roadmaps, programmes, risk registers and dependencies
- Coordinate and integrate multi-disciplinary inputs to deliver high-quality, audit-ready consent documentation
- Provide senior leadership on statutory consultation and engagement activity
- Manage DCO/TWAO risks, issues and dependencies to reduce programme uncertainty
- Lead post-consent implementation, including condition/requirement discharge and construction readiness
- Embed consent obligations into design and construction activity
- Mentor and develop project managers and junior team members
- Drive innovation, continuous improvement and best practice in consent project management
- Champion health, safety, wellbeing, inclusion and high performance
About you
You’ll be an experienced leader with a strong background in project management within major infrastructure or regulated environments, and a good understanding of complex planning and consenting processes.
You’ll bring:
- Proven experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary programmes
- Knowledge of DCO, TWAO or other major consent regimes
- Experience integrating consents into design and construction delivery
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
- The ability to lead, inspire and develop high-performing teams
- Excellent organisational, analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- A commitment to learning, improvement and quality
Why join Ardent?
We’re a values-led business with a strong focus on culture, learning and impact. You’ll have the opportunity to work on some of the UK and Ireland’s most significant infrastructure and regeneration projects while developing your career in a supportive, collaborative environment.
We offer:
- Hybrid working from day one
- 25 days’ annual leave (with buy/carry-over options)
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- Company pension scheme
- Benenden Health Care (including mental health support and 24/7 GP access)
- Cycle to Work and electric car leasing schemes
- Recognition awards, long service leave and discretionary annual bonus
- A company-wide coaching programme and clear development pathways
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 motivated by purpose, thrive on complexity and want to play a defining role in delivering buildable consents that make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.
Associate Director - Consents Management in Manchester employer: Ardent
Ardent is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Leeds where employees are empowered to contribute to meaningful infrastructure projects that benefit communities. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company provides extensive benefits including hybrid working, generous leave options, and comprehensive health care support, fostering a culture of inclusivity and collaboration that encourages personal and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director - Consents Management in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills with a friend or mentor. Get comfortable talking about your experience and how it relates to the role. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director - Consents Management in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Associate Director role. Highlight your project management experience, especially in complex planning and consenting processes, to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about consent management and how your background makes you a great candidate. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a senior role, we want to see evidence of your leadership capabilities. Share examples of how you’ve mentored teams or led multi-disciplinary projects, demonstrating your ability to inspire and develop others.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our careers website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you have access to all the latest updates about the role and our company.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ardent
✨Know Your Consents Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Development Consent Orders (DCOs) and Transport and Works Act Orders (TWAOs). Brush up on recent projects that have used these consents, as this will show your understanding of the complexities involved and how they integrate into design and construction.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As an Associate Director, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your mentoring and development skills. Highlight any specific instances where you’ve driven innovation or improved processes.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Stakeholder management is key in this role. Think about how you’ve effectively communicated and engaged with various stakeholders in previous roles. Be ready to discuss strategies you’ve used to ensure everyone is on board and how you’ve handled any challenges that arose.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving abilities. Consider potential risks and issues that could arise during consent management and think through how you would address them. This will showcase your analytical skills and your commitment to delivering high-quality, compliant documentation.
