Environment Impact Assessment Lead

At Anglian Water, we're delivering the Fens Reservoir and Lincolnshire Reservoir schemes, two multi-billion-pound projects that will secure resilient water supplies for future generations while supporting communities, economic growth and environmental resilience across the East of England. Together, they form the largest and most complex infrastructure programme ever undertaken by Anglian Water.

We're now looking for an exceptional Environmental Impact Assessment Lead to take ownership of one of the most critical workstreams in the programme. This is a rare opportunity to sit at the centre of a nationally significant infrastructure project and influence every environmental decision that helps secure consent, shape design and create a lasting legacy.

As Environmental Impact Assessment Lead, you'll lead the environmental assessment programme that supports the successful development and consent of these landmark projects. You'll shape environmental strategy, influence design decisions, guide engagement with regulators and stakeholders, and ensure environmental considerations are embedded throughout programme development.

From biodiversity and habitats to water resources and long-term sustainability, your work will directly influence projects that future generations will depend upon.

Reporting to the DCO Development Director, you'll lead the environmental assessment programme through the pre-application and examination phases of the Development Consent Order process. You will:

• →Lead the environmental programme of work required to support DCO consent.
• →Develop and implement Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) strategies.
• →Lead large multidisciplinary teams of environmental specialists, consultants and technical experts.
• →Work closely with design, planning, stakeholder engagement and land teams to ensure environmental considerations are integrated across the programme.
• →Oversee the preparation of key environmental documentation including Scoping Reports, Preliminary Environmental Information Reports, Environmental Statements and supporting assessments.
• →Manage environmental risks, issues and opportunities throughout the development lifecycle.
• →Support engagement with regulators, statutory bodies, local authorities and environmental stakeholders to help secure successful consent outcomes.
• →Act as a technical leader throughout examination, including providing expert evidence and coordinating specialist responses where required.

We're seeking an experienced environmental leader who has successfully delivered environmental consenting and assessment programmes on complex infrastructure projects. You'll bring:

• Significant experience leading Environmental Impact Assessment and environmental consenting activities on major infrastructure projects.
• Experience working within Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects, Development Consent Orders or similar complex planning regimes.
• A degree in a relevant environmental or related discipline.
• Professional environmental qualifications or memberships.
• The ability to develop environmental strategy and translate it into successful project delivery.
• Strong programme leadership skills with experience managing budgets, resources and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the credibility to influence technical specialists, regulators and senior decision-makers.
• The ability to challenge constructively, think strategically and find innovative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

This is an opportunity to help shape how one of the UK's largest infrastructure programmes balances the needs of communities, customers and the natural environment.

The decisions made today will influence landscapes, habitats, biodiversity and water resilience for decades to come. As Environmental Impact Assessment Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring these projects achieve positive environmental outcomes while delivering infrastructure that millions of people will rely upon in the future.

• Personal private health care   
• Life assurance (up to 8 x salary)  
• Personal accident cover (up to 5 x salary)
• Double-matched pension (maximum 7% employee/14% employer contribution)
• 26 days annual leave – rising with length of service and the ability to buy more  
• Excellent family friendly policies, such as 26 weeks full pay for maternity / adoption leave, as well as 4 weeks paid paternity / partner leave. Opportunity for shared parental pay 
• Bonus scheme - up to 15%    
• Flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and lifestyle.    

We value the representation & diversity within our communities. Inclusion is for every one and we are an equal opportunity employer, which means we’ll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we’re committed to creating an environment where all our colleagues feel they belong.