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- Tasks: Lead the DCO strategy for Heathrow's expansion and modernisation projects.
- Company: Heathrow, the world's most iconic airport, focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, generous leave, and private health insurance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on aviation while working in a dynamic, diverse environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in DCO processes and UK planning law required.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers, while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. At Heathrow, you can be part of this providing solutions that make every journey better for millions each year. That means ensuring we meet the changing needs of the passengers, colleagues and partners who use our airport to work, travel, trade, shop, eat, explore and connect. Our Solutions team covers project management, process improvement, business change, technology, cyber defence, masterplanning, infrastructure and procurement. It brings together people with the skills to deliver prestigious and often large‑scale projects, from transforming terminals to making big reductions in our carbon emissions.
The DCO Development Director role is critical to ensuring that Heathrow secures all the necessary planning consents required to deliver the Expanding Heathrow and Modernising Heathrow schemes in a timely, cost‑effective manner. The role leads the strategic development, coordination, and submission of the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the Expanding Heathrow Programme. This key role is accountable for ensuring the DCO application is comprehensive, legally robust, and aligned with Heathrow’s strategic, environmental, and stakeholder commitments. The DCO Development Director will oversee all critical activity required to secure consent for the programme under the Planning Act 2008.
Responsibilities
- DCO Strategy & Leadership: Develop and lead the DCO strategy, ensuring alignment with programme objectives, statutory requirements, and stakeholder expectations.
- Planning & Environmental Coordination: Develop and implement strategies to ensure Heathrow engages proactively with all key statutory and non‑statutory stakeholders, including the Planning Inspectorate. Strategic oversight of surface access modelling activities that feed into the environmental impact assessment. Ensure all planning and environmental documentation meets the standards required by the Planning Inspectorate and relevant statutory bodies.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Lead the statutory and non‑statutory consultation strategy and delivery, ensuring meaningful engagement with communities, stakeholders, and interest groups. Integrate consultation feedback into the DCO submission and maintain strong relations with key external agencies and authorities.
- Legal & Regulatory Compliance: Manage legal advisors and ensure all aspects of the DCO process comply with the Planning Act 2008 and associated regulations. Oversee the preparation of legal documents including draft DCO, Statement of Reasons, Book of Reference, and Land Plans. Ensure an effective planning approvals process is in place for all Heathrow developments (incl. DCOs, planning applications, consultations and advertisements) to support the delivery of consents.
Indicative Performance Criteria:
- Timely submission of a complete and robust DCO application.
- Successful completion of statutory and non‑statutory consultations.
- Positive feedback and engagement metrics from stakeholders and consultees.
- Planning Inspectorate acceptance of the DCO application.
- Compliance with statutory DCO timelines and legal requirements.
Skills Required
- Extensive experience leading DCO processes for major infrastructure projects under the Planning Act 2008.
- Strong, applied understanding of UK planning law, environmental regulation, and infrastructure consenting.
- Excellent track record in influencing and managing complex stakeholder environments.
- Experience leading a team of experts at varying levels of seniority, developing each individual to deliver their best.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication and advocacy skills with strong strategic planning abilities, inspiring a team to deliver under high pressure.
- Rapid synthesis of complex planning processes, scheme development, and Heathrow’s business to apply knowledge effectively.
- Identification of key strategic risks and implementation of effective mitigation strategies cross‑functionally.
- Authoritative and convincing leadership style conveying credibility and inspiring confidence while influencing challenging stakeholders.
- Extensive experience in infrastructure sectors, with a strong background in policy, legal, or strategic roles.
Ideally You Will Also Have
- Proven expertise in aviation, transport, and nationally significant infrastructure projects.
- Familiarity with Heathrow’s regulatory and planning context.
- Town & country planning and Environmental Impact Assessment experience preferred.
About Us
There’s something so special about working at the world’s most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities. Every day, you’ll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore. It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver on our ambitious plans. Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability.
Rewards
We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. In addition to performance‑based annual bonuses and our longer‑term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances, market‑leading pensions, family‑friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools. We support learning and development opportunities to help you grow inside and outside work.
Working Location
Our hybrid working approach allows colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing flexibility to work in an agile way while ensuring we deliver for the operational needs of Heathrow. Working arrangements vary from team to team and will be confirmed during the recruitment process. You’ll need to be based in the UK and within a commutable distance to Heathrow.
Sustainable Travel to Work
Heathrow’s Sustainable Travel Guide outlines easy and sustainable travel options that everyone can access.
Equal Opportunities
As an equal‑opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger, and we welcome passengers from all corners of the globe every single day. Heathrow is an accessible place to work. With five diversity networks, we champion inclusivity and celebrate individuality.
Join Heathrow
Join Heathrow and discover unlimited opportunities to make a difference. Apply now.
DCO Development Director employer: Entertainity AB
Contact Detail:
Entertainity AB Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land DCO Development Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current employees at Heathrow. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Heathrow's recent projects and sustainability efforts. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about making aviation better for everyone.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the DCO Development Director role. We want to hear how you can lead and inspire a team while navigating complex stakeholder environments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Heathrow family.
We think you need these skills to ace DCO Development Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with DCO processes and stakeholder engagement. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at Heathrow!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a DCO Development Director, you'll be leading a team. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, especially in high-pressure situations. We love to see inspiring leadership!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Heathrow!
How to prepare for a job interview at Entertainity AB
✨Know Your DCO Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the Development Consent Order (DCO) process, especially under the Planning Act 2008. Familiarise yourself with the key requirements and challenges that come with it, as well as how they relate to Heathrow's strategic objectives.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Prepare to discuss your experience in stakeholder engagement. Think of specific examples where you've successfully navigated complex stakeholder environments. Highlight how you’ve integrated feedback into projects, as this will show your ability to lead consultations effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be ready to talk about your leadership style and how you inspire teams under pressure. Share instances where you've developed team members or led diverse groups to achieve project goals, particularly in high-stakes situations.
✨Demonstrate Your Legal Acumen
Brush up on UK planning law and environmental regulations relevant to major infrastructure projects. Be prepared to discuss how you ensure compliance throughout the DCO process, including managing legal advisors and preparing necessary documentation.
