The UK has set out its ambition to be net zero by 2050 and the energy industry is responding – together we are building a cleaner, greener Britain.
National Grid is at the very heart of the green energy transition. We’re the ones joining the dots; connecting the energy created from renewable sources, to the main electricity network. Over the next five years we’re investing £13bn into green energy.
We are continuing to seek experienced Planning and Environmental Specialists to work as Lead Consents Officers to help us obtain the permissions we need to build the Onshore electrical infrastructure that will make net zero a reality.
Joining our growing team, you will be responsible for ensuring that all the required consents are delivered in the most efficient and economic way possible and in accordance with current legislation, regulations, policy and National Grid’s internal best practice.
As a Lead Consents Officer you will deliver on our consenting strategies, project managing the environmental impact assessments and delivery of planning and environmental consents across a variety of major new infrastructure projects Onshore though out England and Wales both during the development and delivery phases of our projects. This includes supporting the connection of new generation through the development of new overhead lines and substations together with upgrades to and replacement of existing infrastructure. Every day you’ll be playing a crucial role in our ability to deliver a greener energy future.
Our main HQ is in Warwick, but we also have offices in Leeds and London, we have existing team members all over the UK as we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home.
We can offer you the flexibility of an office base location or home working but travel to sites throughout England and Wales will be required.
We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements.
About you
What we do isn’t just important – it’s essential. That’s why we look to recruit experts in their field. In this case, we’re looking for people who have:
- Dynamic and high-profile experience of obtaining the best permissions possible, and committed to green energy transition, you’ll be comfortable and consistently successful in your interactions and communications with critical stakeholders such as Local Planning Authorities and Statutory Consultees.
- Experience in the delivery of consents and environmental impact assessment (EIA) related activities in support of complex construction projects, to programme, cost and specification including during the development and delivery phases of projects.
- Capability in effectively leading and managing a substantive multi-disciplinary consents and environmental team comprising both internal and external resources, to deliver consents, stakeholder engagement and EIA related activities.
- Strategic understanding of energy infrastructure planning and policy to support project development and delivery.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills with an ability to present complex and contentious information to large and/or challenging external audiences.
- Strong Project Management skills, specifically in relation to time, cost (forecast and actuals), scope, procurement and managing consents and environmental resources.
You will be flexible, proactive and enthusiastic, as well as keen to develop your knowledge whilst supporting the more senior members of your team.
You might have a degree or masters in a planning or environment specialism, or equivalent experience, and ideally membership of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)
You’ll need a UK driving licence to engage with other colleagues and community stakeholders easily around the UK.
What You’ll Do
You will be joining a growing team of over 30 consents and environmental specialists that is responding to the challenge to deliver at least 17 major projects worth more than £16bn by 2031 as part of the Great Grid Upgrade.
You will help us obtain the best permissions possible for our projects through a variety of planning consents including Development Consent Orders, Town and Country Planning applications, Section 37 Consents and permitted development including the delivery phase of projects discharging conditions/requirements, obtaining secondary consents, and compliance monitoring contractors on site.
You will take responsibility for challenging, advising and guiding project teams in relation to the design and development of projects ensuring the implementation of effective project consents strategies to ensure that all risks are captured and managed and that reputational impacts of making changes are understood.
Working with Senior Consents Manager you will be be responsible for ensuring that project resource requirements (internal and external) are identified, procured and sufficiently embedded within the project team ahead of need, and that these resources are coached and mentored to perform effectively in relation to the delivery of consents and environmental related activities.
You will develop, lead and manage engagement strategies for strategic stakeholders and drive effective relationship management through the projects.
You will be proactive in capturing and sharing lessons learned so that they can be communcaited within the wider consents team to drive a culture of continuous improvement.
As Lead Consents Officer you may have line management responsibilities supporting the development of more junior members of the consents team.
You may also be required, to act as an expert witness at DCO hearings and/or public inquiries and CPO hearings.
We have multiple roles across the planning teams supporting the delivery of our onshore projects.
Onshore Planning Team
The Onshore Planning Team of consents officers is focused on the development and delivery of projects consented via a Development Consent Order (DCO) under the Planning Act 2008. In this team you will be the lead consents officer reporting to a Senior Consents Manager leading consents and environmental support for the development and delivery of new onshore electricity transimission projects. These projects will be consented via a DCO and can often include associated Town and Country Planning Act applications. This team supports both the development and delivery phases of projects.
You will have major project experience on DCO projects and/or strategic infrastructure planning or policy experience to support the management of consistency and best practice across project teams.
Central Planning Team
In this team you will be leading on the consents and environmental support needed for the development of new substations throughout England and Wales, together with substation extension and asset replacement projects for overhead lines and underground cables. These projects will be consented via Town and Country Planning Act and/or S37 Electricity Act. A good knowledge of other environmental consents would also be useful.
Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace for everyone. So if you’re excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don’t match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.
What you’ll get
You’ll receive a competitive starting salary of £50,000 to £65,000 dependant on role with progression in post.
As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.
About us
The British Energy Security Strategy set out the Government's ambition to connect up to 50GW of offshore generation to the electricity network by 2030. Facilitating this ambition will require significant reinforcements to the onshore electricity transmission network. National Grid Strategic Infrastructure and Electricity Transmission will make this happen.
Here at National Grid, we connect homes and businesses to power, making sure supply and demand match each other. We make sure the lights are on in schools, operating theatres, and sporting arenas; we’re thousands of people working on behalf of millions of people.
Our investment in Strategic Infrastructure via the Great Grid Upgrade will mean more home grown power, greater energy security and a cleaner future.
Whatever your role, wherever you work with us, you’ll help us hit stretching targets and achieve our far-reaching goal: to secure, clean energy that supports our world far into the future. Here, you will be at the heart of energy.
More information
This role closes on 15 February 2024, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. Interviews will be held between 21 – 29 February 2024 via Teams or in person.
We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.
We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.
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