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- Tasks: Lead environmental regulation for major infrastructure projects and enhance customer experience.
- Company: Join Natural England, a key player in environmental protection and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving significant change in the environmental sector.
- Why this job: Shape the future of environmental regulation and make a real impact on national projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in environmental regulation and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Corry Review recommended the implementation of an approach called 'Lead Environmental Regulator' to streamline the regulatory service offered to major infrastructure projects by Defra Group Arms-Length Bodies (ALBs) - Natural England, Environment Agency, Marine Management Organisation and Forestry Commission. This approach, a Secretary of State reform priority, is being initially piloted with a small number of projects. In summary, it involves establishing a robust approach to project managing the interactions with the developer across the relevant Defra Group ALBs, seeking to avoid unnecessary delay and improve the customer experience. An Operating Model and evaluation methodology have been established in partnership with the cross-Defra Project Board.
As a Strategic Lead for the Lead Environmental Regulator pilots, you will provide strategic oversight, leadership, and direction for one of Natural England's most high profile and influential reform initiatives. You will be accountable for shaping how Natural England and the wider Defra Group engage with major national infrastructure projects, helping to embed a collaborative, consistent and customer-focused regulatory service.
This role requires a leader who can combine strategic thinking, system-wide influence and programme leadership, while representing Natural England at senior level with developers, regulators, and government partners. This is a high-profile work area, offering a fantastic opportunity to trial and shape the way that we work with some of the most significant development projects in our country.
The role will be based in the Major Planning Casework Team (MPCT) in National Delivery. This multi-disciplinary team works on significant, large-scale, complex casework and strategic programmes, providing expert support and technical leadership to area teams and coordinating major infrastructure programmes. Its current portfolio of projects includes High Speed 2 (HS2), Sizewell C, East West Rail and RAPID and other High Risk/High Opportunity casework.
Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities
- Leadership & Coordination
- Work closely with the Defra Lead Environmental Regulator (LER) team and ALBs to deliver current LER pilots.
- Serve as Natural England's primary point of contact for the Defra LER team.
- Develop and maintain Natural England's future pipeline of suitable projects for LER implementation.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Engage proactively with developers to identify opportunities for applying the LER model and to resolve emerging issues.
- Champion the LER approach internally, promoting awareness, understanding, and adoption across the organisation.
- Integration & Reform Delivery
- Ensure the LER model is embedded into Natural England's Sustainable Development (SD) critical reforms, including innovation and risk related activities.
- Support culture change by ensuring lessons learned on innovation and risk influence Natural England's risk appetite statements and related programmes.
- Organisational Implementation
- Oversee the effective rollout of the LER approach across Natural England's 12 area teams.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to identify and address barriers to adoption and ensure consistency in practice nationwide.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Highly organised, with strong analytical skills with a proven track record of delivering complex work projects and/or programmes to deadlines managing risks and dependencies, benefits realisation, resources & budget.
- Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to functionally lead a multi-disciplinary and dispersed project team to deliver programme outcomes.
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship building skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - able to communicate complex concepts and analysis in a simple, straightforward, and honest way.
- Confidence in engaging with senior leaders, regulators, and external partners and excellent track record of partnership working, especially with other Government departments.
- Knowledge of environmental regulation and the Defra Group landscape.
- Experience working with developers, infrastructure projects, or major project delivery.
What You'll Bring
- A proactive, solution-focused mindset.
- Commitment to improving environmental outcomes while streamlining regulatory processes.
- Ability to work flexibly, think strategically, and influence others.
- Enthusiasm for shaping.
Competencies
- Technical Skills & Knowledge
- Relevant degree e.g. marine/planning/environmental assessment or equivalent level of applied experience (Essential).
- Understanding of Natural England's statutory remit and our role in planning, licensing and protected landscapes (Essential).
- Experience of risk identification and management and working with senior leaders to achieve natural environment outcomes (Essential).
- Experience of managing relationships with external partners and internal multi-disciplinary teams (Essential).
- Functional management experience (Desirable).
- Creating Resilient Landscapes and Seas
- Identify and apply relevant planning and environmental legislation, policies and processes to deliver effective and proportionate evidence-based solutions and advice (Expert).
- Identify appropriate solutions for avoidance, mitigation, compensation of environmental impacts and meeting shared outcomes; and identify opportunities for enhancing the natural environment (Expert).
- Personal Effectiveness
- Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience (Expert).
- Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence (Expert).
- Share expertise and knowledge with people and networks so that you can develop together (Expert).
- Putting People at the Heart of the Environment
- Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver Natural England's vision, mission and aims (Expert).
- Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and Natural England (Expert).
- Work Delivery
- Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines (Expert).
Pay
Natural England are yet to finalise the details of the 2025 Pay Review. This will be backdated to July 2025, and this could involve a review of our current terms and conditions alongside increases to the advertised pay ranges. If there are any changes to what has been advertised the vacancy manager will be able to provide further details ahead of any offers being accepted.
Join us in shaping a future where nature and people thrive. Whether you're drawn to hands-on conservation or playing a vital part behind the scenes, your work at Natural England will support lasting benefits for the environment and society.
Principal Officer – Lead Environmental Regulator - ( Ref : 6409 ) employer: Natural England
Contact Detail:
Natural England Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Officer – Lead Environmental Regulator - ( Ref : 6409 )
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy to reach out 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 tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you’re the perfect fit for the role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills, especially those that relate to environmental regulation and project management. Keep it concise and impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. So, get clicking and let’s shape the future together!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Officer – Lead Environmental Regulator - ( Ref : 6409 )
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Principal Officer. We want to see how you can contribute to the Lead Environmental Regulator initiative, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects you've worked on!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: This role is all about leadership and collaboration. Use your application to demonstrate your experience in leading teams and managing complex projects. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and influence others, so share examples that reflect this.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when discussing complex concepts. Make sure your communication style reflects the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Natural England
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the Lead Environmental Regulator model and its implications for major infrastructure projects. Brush up on relevant environmental legislation and Natural England's role in planning and licensing, as this will show your commitment and expertise.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing multi-disciplinary teams. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully navigated complex projects and engaged with stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would proactively engage with developers and other stakeholders. Prepare to share strategies you've used in the past to build relationships and resolve issues, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss how you approach strategic challenges and influence change within an organisation. Think of specific instances where you've shaped processes or driven cultural change, as this aligns perfectly with the expectations of the role.