Senior Consents Interface Manager

Company Description

The UK government has made a pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and, as such, is pushing ahead with significant investment in nuclear and renewable energies.

Assystem, as a leading provider of project management, design & construction supervision services within the nuclear industry, has aligned its own strategy to support this switch to low-carbon energy, whilst also recognising transport and infrastructure systems to be a major factor in influencing the outcome of government policy.

By acquiring Schofield Lothian in 2021, Assystem reaffirmed their commitment to the UK’s energy transition in combining strengths with a long-established provider of consultancy services to the transport and infrastructure sectors, through the delivery of sustainable performance improvements within four practice areas: Consents & Engagement; Commercial Management; Project Management; and Environment & Sustainability.

Based on these solid foundations, our Consents team continues to build on its existing capability and has ambitious plans to develop its reach within both the transport & infrastructure sectors and through the additional opportunities offered via the Assystem network within the nuclear sector.

Our objectives will ultimately be defined by our ability to attract and retain those talented individuals that share our vision and wish to join us in shaping the future.

Job Description

We are seeking to identify a senior level consultant, with a background in leading the delivery of consents and stakeholder engagement on major infrastructure projects. For the first assignment in mind you would be responsible for supporting and leading on interface issues and be responsible for the effective co-ordination and management of the consent, environment, stakeholder engagement, land and quality teams. This includes liaison with the Contractor, Local Authorities and other Stakeholders to ensure that the various construction teams have all of the consents and permissions necessary.

We would also expect candidates to have a strong Town Planning background and knowledge of wider consents, permits and licenses required to implement new developments. We specifically seek somebody with experience within Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and a thorough understanding of the legislative requirements required under the DCO planning process.

You are to be responsible for evaluating consents and engagement requirements to ensure that Assystem deploy a cost effective and sustainable solution to our client.

Some site attendance is likely when assigned to specific projects.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Leading and managing a project team
• Promotion and delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects through Development Consent Order (DCO) legislation
• Delivery of technical engagement programmes for stakeholders including local authorities, statutory and non-statutory bodies and the general public
• Stakeholder facilitation, negotiation and mediation
• Planning and consenting legislation
• Statutory planning policy advice and appraisal
• Strategic management of consents deliverables
• Consents application preparation
• Collaborative and cross disciplinary working
• Project management and co-ordination of large, multi-disciplinary teams
• Liaise with project legal teams
• Discharging secondary consents
• Acting as Delivery Assurance Partner

Skills & Experience:

• Experience of delivery consents on major infrastructure projects authorised through a DCO or Hybrid Bill
• Proven ability to lead a team
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to develop positive internal and external relationships at all levels.
• Good negotiation / collaboration skills to ensure full support within the framework.
• Can advise on all aspect of the legal powers within a hybrid Bill / DCO
• Embraces and leads change with an ability to influence and implement best practice internally and at project level.
• High levels of resilience and adaptability
• Proven ability to influence and persuade key stakeholders.
• Demonstrable experience of developing and delivering stakeholder engagement 
• Strong commercial acumen.

Behavioural Qualities:

We place great emphasis on both written and verbal communication; those that flourish within our organisation are naturally inclined to engage with their colleagues & stakeholders alike and to be proactive in reaching out to others in overcoming hurdles.

In common with many places of work, we seek personnel that are professional, positive, open and honest. We would expect the successful candidate to exhibit the following behavioural traits:

• Ability to see things differently – prepared to question standard approaches in order to manage consenting risks and programme deadlines
• Support and develop – create a local leadership team by delegation, coaching and mentoring
• Decisiveness – makes day-to-day business choices that have commercial implications, knowing when to inform others or ask for support.

Qualifications

Person profile:

• Relevant degree
• Member of Professional Body (MRTPI)

Additional Information

• Significant knowledge of delivering projects
• Prior experience of delivering a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project through the Planning Act 2008 legislation or similar including large EIA projects
• Up to date with latest developments in Professional Competence

Benefits include:

• Pension scheme (8% company contribution / 4% personal contribution)
• 25 days’ paid annual leave + bank holidays + option to buy or sell days
• Professional fees reimbursed
• Flexible working
• Employee referral scheme

#LI-Hybrid

Hybrid remote/in-office

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. We believe that bringing together people with different backgrounds and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and impactful solutions. Skills, talent, and our people’s ability to dare are the only things that matter !. Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.