Head of Environmental Impact Assessment

When it comes to pioneering ambition, there’s no place like Heathrow. Our Heathrow Expansion programme offers a unique and exciting opportunity to play a defining role in one of the UK’s most significant infrastructure projects. You’ll help shape a national legacy that millions will experience for decades to come, as we deliver the third runway, improve passenger experience, stimulate jobs and opportunities across the UK, and strengthen the global connectivity that powers trade and travel.

Modernising and expanding the UK’s only hub airport and critical national infrastructure whilst keeping it fully operational and safe, creates a pace and complexity unlike other major programmes. It demands collaboration, resilience, problem solving and a desire to take on challenges that genuinely matter. From securing planning consents to designing a new runway, modernising terminals and improving public transport access, and delivering on environmental and community commitments - the scale is unmatched. You’ll be part of a diverse team of talented colleagues, built on mutual respect and where excellence thrives. It’s an inspiring place to work, with unlimited opportunities to make a difference as you help to shape the future of our world‑class airport.

The Head of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will lead the development and delivery of EIA strategy supporting Heathrow’s capital investment and long-term growth. Acting as the subject matter expert, you will provide strategic EIA advice across the business and lead EIA activities within the consenting team, with particular focus on the TCPA and DCO regimes. You will represent Heathrow with regulators and government bodies, influence EIA best practice, and provide technical leadership and governance to ensure successful delivery of EIA requirements across the programme.

Your role will involve:

• Leading the business on all matters relating to EIA and the promotion of capital investment projects through the EIA regulations.
• Leading and maintaining strong relationships with key external stakeholders in EIA including local planning authorities, the Planning Inspectorate and other statutory environmental bodies.
• Leading and maintaining strong relationships with key internal stakeholders to develop sustainable designs and environmental improvements supporting proposals for growth.
• Leading EIA delivery and submissions to facilitate delivery of Heathrow’s capital investment plan and ensuring advice on all EIA matters are proactively provided to the business.
• Lead EIA advice for DCO and other consenting activities relating to Heathrow’s long-term growth plans, and assist in the development and implementation of a clear EIA and consenting strategy.

These Skills Are Essential:

• Chartered Environmental Status and full membership of IEMA.
• Significant experience of EIA practice in the UK consenting environment, such as DCO and TCPA.
• Interpersonal skills to lead and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent knowledge of EIA and consenting processes, and how to apply it to inform practical decision making.
• Degree educated in relevant environmental subject areas (e.g. EIA, Environmental Management).
• Ensure processes are in place to monitor and respond to EIA policy and legislative reform, and deliver robust responses to policy and development consultations in a way that protects and promotes Heathrow’s interest.
• Pre-application processes and preparation and submission of a DCO application and any other consenting application.

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. Join us on that journey and we’ll help you achieve your ambitions too.

We offer competitive salaries and excellent benefits that will support you now and in the future. As well as performance‑based annual bonuses and our longer‑term Share in Success Bonus plans, we also offer generous annual leave allowances and market‑leading pensions. With family friendly policies, access to private health insurance and a wide range of wellbeing tools, we’ll support you to be at your best inside and outside work. And of course, we’ll provide varied learning and development opportunities too. Here you’ll find everything you need for a fulfilling career journey that can take you in exciting directions.

Our Hybrid working approach offers the opportunity for colleagues in some roles to work from home for an average of two days a week, providing the flexibility to work in an agile way whilst 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.

As an equal opportunities employer, we encourage applications from all. We believe that diverse talent makes us stronger – not least because 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.