Principal eia – dco consultant

Are you an experienced EIA professional with a strong background in Development Consent Orders (DCOs), looking to take a leading role in delivering nationally significant infrastructure projects? We’re looking for a Principal EIA – DCO Consultant to join our growing environmental team in Bristol, London or Reading. This is an exciting opportunity to work on complex infrastructure projects, supporting clients through the environmental assessment, planning and consenting processes required to secure development consent.

You’ll work across a diverse portfolio of major infrastructure schemes, with opportunities in sectors including energy, water, transport and nationally significant development. Working alongside planners, environmental specialists, engineers and other technical experts, you’ll help clients navigate complex consenting requirements and deliver projects that balance infrastructure needs with environmental responsibility.

As a Principal Consultant, you’ll take a leading role in EIA delivery for DCO projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, providing technical advice and building strong client relationships. You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to business development, mentor colleagues and support the continued growth of our environmental assessment and consenting capabilities across the UK.

About The Role:

• Lead and coordinate Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for Development Consent Order (DCO) applications and other major infrastructure projects.
• Manage EIA workstreams throughout the consenting lifecycle, from early project development and scoping through assessment, consultation, Environmental Statement preparation and submission.
• Support the development and delivery of environmental assessment strategies aligned with the requirements of the Planning Act 2008 and relevant consenting legislation and guidance.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary technical inputs, working with specialists to ensure assessments are robust, proportionate and appropriately integrated.
• Lead the preparation, review and quality assurance of Environmental Statements, scoping reports, preliminary environmental information, consultation materials and other supporting documentation.
• Provide technical advice on environmental impacts, mitigation, alternatives and consenting risks, helping clients make informed project decisions.
• Advise clients and project teams on DCO processes, EIA requirements, programme considerations and the management of environmental issues throughout the consenting process.
• Coordinate responses to consultation feedback, statutory consultee comments and relevant representations, supporting the preparation of additional environmental information where required.
• Contribute to the preparation of examination documentation and support clients through the Examination stage of the DCO process, including responses to questions and requests for further information.
• Liaise with clients, planning consultants, statutory consultees, regulators, local authorities and other stakeholders to support effective project delivery.
• Manage project programmes, budgets, resources and technical quality, ensuring deliverables meet agreed timescales and commercial expectations.
• Identify and manage environmental risks, dependencies and opportunities, helping project teams develop practical and effective solutions.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, providing trusted technical advice and identifying opportunities for further work.
• Contribute to bids, tenders, proposals and business development activities to support the growth of our environmental assessment and consenting services.
• Mentor and support junior colleagues, sharing technical expertise and contributing to the development of the wider team.
• Collaborate with colleagues across our planning, environmental and engineering disciplines to deliver integrated solutions for complex infrastructure projects.

Your Impact:

You’ll play an important role in helping clients secure consent for nationally significant infrastructure projects that support the UK’s future energy, water, transport and infrastructure needs. Through your technical expertise and understanding of the DCO process, you’ll help ensure environmental considerations are embedded throughout project development and consenting. You’ll contribute to robust environmental assessments, effective stakeholder engagement and well-coordinated submissions that support informed decision-making and successful project outcomes.

As a Principal Consultant, you’ll have the opportunity to lead complex project workstreams, influence assessment strategies and build trusted relationships with clients. You’ll also help develop the capabilities of our environmental team, sharing knowledge and supporting colleagues as they progress in their careers. Working within a multidisciplinary organisation, you’ll benefit from access to specialists across a broad range of environmental and engineering disciplines. This collaborative approach enables us to address complex project challenges and develop practical, sustainable solutions for our clients.

About You:

We’re looking for an experienced environmental professional with a strong understanding of EIA and demonstrable experience working on DCO projects or major infrastructure consenting schemes. You’ll be confident coordinating technical teams, advising clients and managing complex project requirements, with the ability to balance technical quality, programme delivery and commercial considerations.

You'll have:

• Significant experience in EIA, environmental consultancy or a closely related discipline, ideally within major infrastructure and consenting projects.
• Demonstrable experience contributing to or leading EIA for DCO applications and nationally significant infrastructure projects.
• A strong understanding of the DCO consenting process under the Planning Act 2008, including the preparation and submission of application documentation and the Examination process.
• Experience preparing, coordinating or reviewing Environmental Statements, scoping reports and supporting environmental assessment documentation.
• A good understanding of UK EIA legislation, planning policy, environmental assessment requirements and relevant consenting guidance.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary technical inputs and managing interfaces between environmental topics, project design and consenting requirements.
• The ability to identify environmental risks, develop mitigation strategies and provide clear, practical advice to clients and project teams.
• Strong project management skills, including managing budgets, resources, programmes and competing priorities.
• Experience engaging with clients, statutory consultees, regulators, local authorities and other stakeholders throughout the consenting process.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex environmental and consenting matters clearly and effectively.
• Commercial awareness and an interest in contributing to client development, bids, tenders and wider business growth.
• Experience mentoring and supporting colleagues, sharing technical knowledge and contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• A proactive and solutions-focused approach, with a genuine commitment to sustainable development and delivering high-quality project outcomes.

Qualifications:

A relevant degree in environmental science, environmental planning, geography or a related discipline. Membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), or another relevant professional accreditation, would be advantageous.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who combines strong EIA expertise with a sound understanding of DCO consenting, enjoys working collaboratively on complex infrastructure projects and is motivated to make a positive difference through the work they deliver.

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 companies 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 as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.

We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups).

Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK & Ireland - we want you to be part of it!

Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.

Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.

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