Technical Director - Environmental Advisory National Team Lead

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Technical Director – Environmental Advisory National Team Lead to lead and grow our Environmental Advisory National Team across the Water and Energy sectors .

This is a strategic leadership role within our Environmental Assessment and Strategic Advice Pillar, responsible for shaping and developing environmental advisory, assessment and consenting services that support some of the UK's most significant infrastructure programmes. You'll work with major clients to provide early-stage environmental strategy, options development and consenting advice, helping to unlock and deliver critical infrastructure that supports resilience, sustainability and net zero ambitions.

The role reports to the National Discipline Director for the Environmental Assessment and Strategic Advice Pillar and works closely with our National Technical Leads across Environmental Planning, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Sustainability & Climate, Nature-based Solutions, and Health & Social Impact, alongside sector leaders and multidisciplinary technical teams across the business.

ABOUT THE ROLE

You'll lead a national service supporting major infrastructure programmes from initial strategy and optioneering through planning consent, delivery and discharge of conditions.

Within the Water sector , you'll provide strategic environmental and consenting advice across Strategic Resource Options (SROs), the Major Water Infrastructure Programme, reservoirs, strategic transfers, water recycling, desalination, treatment and network infrastructure, AMP investment programmes and wider water resilience initiatives delivered through long-term water company frameworks.

Within the Energy sector , you'll support nationally significant programmes including the Great Grid Upgrade and wider transmission and distribution growth, covering overhead lines, underground and subsea cables, substations, converter stations, grid connections, network reinforcement, interconnectors and associated infrastructure.

A key focus of the role will be helping clients develop proportionate, deliverable environmental and consenting strategies while ensuring environmental considerations are embedded early within programme development, design and optioneering. You'll advise on planning and consenting pathways, including permitted development rights, Development Consent Orders (DCO), the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) and wider environmental and regulatory approvals.

YOUR IMPACT

As Technical Director – Environmental Advisory National Team Lead, you will:

• Lead a national environmental advisory, assessment and consenting service with a balanced focus across Water and Energy.
• Provide strategic environmental, planning and consenting advice for major infrastructure programmes, including SROs, reservoirs, strategic transfers, transmission networks and grid infrastructure.
• Lead early-stage environmental risk and opportunity reviews, options appraisal, route and site selection, environmental governance and integrated delivery strategies.
• Advise clients on planning and consenting pathways, including permitted development rights, prior approval, DCO, TCPA and associated regulatory requirements.
• Develop portfolio and programme-level governance, assurance and decision-making frameworks that improve consistency and effectively manage cumulative and cross-project effects.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary environmental inputs across feasibility, design, consent, construction and operation phases.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, regulators, statutory consultees, planning authorities, landowners and communities.
• Provide senior technical leadership, quality assurance and peer review for complex or high-profile projects.
• Work closely with our National Technical Leads for Environmental Planning, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Sustainability & Climate, Nature-based Solutions and Health & Social Impact to integrate specialist expertise into client strategies, bids and project delivery.
• Support business planning, recruitment, succession planning, coaching and capability development across the Pillar.
• Drive business growth by developing client relationships, supporting strategic pursuits and securing repeat work across both sectors.
• Work closely with Water, Energy and technical discipline leaders to build pipeline, mobilise integrated teams and grow national capability across both sectors.

ABOUT YOU

To be successful in this role, you will likely have:

• A relevant degree and membership of an appropriate professional institution.
• Significant experience in a senior leadership, Technical Director or equivalent role within consultancy, infrastructure, utilities, government or regulatory organisations.
• Extensive experience delivering environmental planning, assessment and consenting services for major infrastructure projects and programmes.
• Strong expertise in at least one of the UK Water or Energy sectors, with sufficient understanding of the other to provide balanced leadership across both markets.
• Knowledge of major water infrastructure programmes, including SROs, reservoirs, strategic transfers, water recycling, desalination and regulated investment programmes.
• Knowledge of electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure, including the Great Grid Upgrade, overhead lines, cables, substations, converter stations, grid connections and associated consenting requirements.
• A strong understanding of permitted development rights, environmental obligations and the interaction between planning and regulatory approvals.
• The ability to combine technical, environmental, planning, programme and commercial considerations into clear, strategic advice for senior stakeholders.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, managing complex interfaces and delivering high-quality outcomes in challenging environments.
• Excellent communication, leadership and relationship-building skills, together with a collaborative and commercially minded approach.
• A willingness to travel nationally as required.

WHY JOIN US

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the Top 50 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the World's Top 10 Most Sustainable Companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry-leading training and development, paid professional subscriptions and ongoing support for professional growth and leadership development.
• We are better together: Join a collaborative network of environmental, planning, engineering and infrastructure professionals delivering nationally significant projects that make a positive difference to communities and the environment.
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK and internationally, creating exceptional opportunities for talented leaders to shape the future of our business.
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, enhanced pension, annual leave with the option to buy and sell additional days, private medical insurance, life assurance, group income protection, discounted gym membership and a comprehensive flexible benefits package.
• Hybrid / Flexible Working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance through our flexible and hybrid approach to working.