Principal EIA (Onshore) Consultant

Location: United Kingdom

Type: Permanent

We are recruiting on behalf of a respected and fast-growing environmental consultancy that supports major infrastructure and development projects across the UK and Ireland. As part of an expanding Environmental Assessment & Consents team, you will play a pivotal role in leading Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports, Environmental Statements, and key consenting documents. Working across pre-application, application, and determination phases, you will deliver high-profile projects in the renewable energy (wind, solar, battery storage) and transport sectors. This is a unique opportunity to act as a trusted adviser, influence the team’s growth, and progress your career within a business that values flexibility, team wellbeing, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Overseeing the delivery of consent related workstreams for a range of infrastructure projects (including delivery of EIA/HRA and / or post-consent compliance);
• Managing internal and external sub-consultant teams;
• Building strong relationships with clients and advise clients on key planning / consenting risks and work with technical teams to find effective solutions to manage or mitigate these risks;
• Developing and maintaining an effective and highly engaged team;
• Mentoring and supporting the development of more junior team members;
• Leading stakeholder and client engagement;
• Overseeing financial and programme management of your projects;
• Overseeing project administration and reporting;
• Reviewing and checking work completed by other team members;
• Managing the production of proposals and tenders;
• Carrying out any additional activities that may be reasonably required or requested;
• Taking reasonable care for the health, safety and mental wellbeing of yourself and others, making use of the tools, equipment, training and resources available and actively engage with colleagues at all levels to contribute to the continuous improvement of health and safety management;
• Completing mandatory training modules e.g. health and safety and those specific to your role.

Candidate Profile

Essential

• Excellent report writing, communication, technical review and analytical skills.
• An undergraduate degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Planning or related discipline.
• Significant programme / project management experience of environmental projects with skills in managing delivery of challenging deadlines, budgets and relationships.
• An established track record in the delivery of EIA-related work, including screening, scoping and end reporting.
• Project involvement within the renewables (wind, solar, battery energy storage), transport and other infrastructure sectors.
• An understanding of the Scottish policy and regulatory framework for impact assessment.
• Demonstrable stakeholder engagement expertise such as managing stakeholder meetings and input into supporting material relevant to impact assessments.
• Experience of working within a variety of planning regimes in the UK & Ireland.
• A focus on meeting and exceeding client requirements and a commitment to excellence.
• Significant experience in preparing fee and technical proposals.

Desirable

• Experience of leading teams;
• Post graduate qualification in impact assessment or environmental planning;
• Chartered member of a relevant professional organisation (or working towards such accreditation) such as ISEP (formerly IEMA);
• Significant experience of planning in a range of sectors such as energy distribution, water, active travel schemes / greenways, or other infrastructure schemes;
• Good understanding of sustainability issues and consultancy skills in other complementary fields, such as Strategic Environmental Assessment;
• Availability to travel to sites or meetings across Scotland and the wider UK & Ireland as required, with appropriate notice;
• Experience working with statutory regulators and stakeholders, particularly in Scotland;
• Confidence to take initiative and proactively solve problems, with an open mind to innovative solutions.