Lead Environmental Impact Assessor

Kent PLC is hiring a Lead Environmental Impact Assessor in London to lead EIA delivery and manage projects in the UK energy sector, focusing on low carbon, offshore wind, and oil and gas initiatives. Responsibilities include client engagement, technical delivery, mentoring junior specialists, and ensuring compliance with project scopes. Candidates should have extensive EIA experience, relevant qualifications, and strong communication skills. This role is not remote.
About the Role: Kent is seeking a dynamic Lead Environmental Impact Assessor to join our newly established Environmental Team. This is a golden opportunity to significantly influence the growth and development of our team while taking charge of vital projects in the UK energy sector, including low carbon initiatives, offshore wind, and oil and gas. As the EIA Lead, you will play a central role in client engagement, technical delivery, and team leadership, with support from the Market Director of Environment.

Key Responsibilities:
• Act as the primary lead for EIA delivery and manage all related specialist disciplines.
• Ensure technical excellence in project delivery by being responsible for the quality of all Environmental Impact Assessments conducted within the UK business.
• Conduct consultancy scopes with a focus on Development Consent Orders (DCOs), Town and Country Planning Acts (TCPAs), and associated applications in the low carbon, offshore wind, or oil and gas sectors.
• Provide strategic environmental guidance and advice to clients, enhancing their decision-making processes.
• Author, review, and approve technical reports to maintain high standards.
• Oversee junior specialists on projects, offering technical guidance and mentoring to foster their professional growth.
• Prepare cost estimates and bids for new work scopes, ensuring competitive and accurate submissions.
• Manage projects to ensure compliance with agreed scopes, budgets, and timelines.
• Engage directly with clients, building and nurturing strong relationships to support current and future business needs.
• Support recruiting new talent to align with our market expansion goals.

Aside from your primary responsibilities, you may be required to take on additional tasks assigned by the supervisor or management, reflecting the adaptable nature of this role to meet the organization’s evolving needs.

Qualifications and Experience:
• Extensive experience in delivering EIAs and related assessments.
• A degree in a relevant field.
• Chartership with a recognized professional body (e.g., CEnv).
• Experience within the UK energy industry.
• Proven ability to lead work scopes effectively while adhering to delivery and cost targets without compromising quality.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and industry standards, with the expertise to develop Consenting Strategies.
• Proficient in preparing high-quality technical reports and reviewing the work of others.
• Experience in client-facing roles, demonstrating an understanding of the commercial landscape in consultancy, and being confident in winning new business.
• A track record of contributing to successful bids and proposals.
• Proactive in identifying business growth opportunities.
• Preferred experience in team and line management.

Communication Skills:
• Exceptional written and verbal communication abilities.
• Comfortable articulating environmental requirements to senior management stakeholders.
• Desirable experience presenting at conferences, with support available.
• Strong bid authoring skills.
• Adept at leading teams and establishing effective communication routines to deliver key messages promptly.

Core Competencies:
• A proactive team player with excellent problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills.
• Highly organized, thriving in fast-paced work environments.
• Empathetic toward the needs of team members.
• Resilience to fluctuating workloads typically experienced in consultancy roles.
• Able to effectively plan your work and delegate tasks to coordinate team efforts.

Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment and Quality (HSSEQ): It is expected that you will adhere to the HSSEQ policies of the company, its clients, and the governing authorities. We are committed to nurturing a diverse and inclusive community where all employees feel valued and supported. We offer a variety of family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements, and employee networks catering to staff from diverse backgrounds.

We appreciate applications from individuals of all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities, as we are an Equal Opportunities Employer.