Principal EIA Consultant

Tetra Tech Europe is looking for a Principal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Consultant to help us shape the future of Nationally Significant Infrastructure. Join our team and help deliver some of the UK’s most high-profile infrastructure and planning projects. You will lead complex EIA work streams, influence project strategy and build trusted relationships with clients, stakeholders and technical specialists.

The role is hybrid and can be based in Milton Park (Oxfordshire), Cardiff or Woking
. This is an opportunity to play a leading role in projects spanning renewable energy, data centres, urban development, airports and other nationally significant infrastructure.

As Principal EIA Consultant, you will lead and coordinate EIA activities from feasibility and site selection through to planning consent. You will act as a key interface between clients, project teams and internal technical specialists, ensuring requirements are clearly understood and delivered to a high standard.

Your responsibilities will include leading EIA work streams, coordinating multidisciplinary inputs, managing programmes, overseeing quality assurance and maintaining strong client relationships. You will contribute to the preparation and review of screening and scoping reports, Environmental Statements and EIA Reports, ensuring they meet legislative requirements, industry best practice and client expectations.

You will work closely with Project Directors, Project Managers, technical specialists, graduates and junior consultants. The role also provides opportunities to contribute to bids, support budget and cost reporting, and develop your leadership and line management experience.

Our team has a strong track record of delivering successful consents for major projects, including the Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Farm Transmission Assets, Gatwick Airport and Ayre Offshore Wind Farm onshore infrastructure.

In the short term, you will establish yourself as a trusted adviser to clients and a credible point of contact across project teams. You will deliver high quality EIA outputs, coordinate technical contributions and support the timely submission of planning applications and DCO documentation.

As your experience develops, you will take ownership of complete EIA work streams, lead multidisciplinary teams and manage stakeholder engagement across complex projects. You will help projects progress to agreed timescales, budgets and quality standards, with success measured through robust planning outcomes, positive client feedback and effective project delivery.

Over the longer term, you will have the opportunity to lead nationally significant infrastructure projects and progress towards Associate level. You will contribute to strategic project decisions, support business development and help secure repeat work through strong client relationships and successful bids. You will also play an important role in mentoring graduates and junior consultants, helping to build the capability of the wider team.

You will bring strong practical experience of leading and managing EIA projects across a range of sectors. You will be confident producing and reviewing EIA chapters, screening and scoping reports, Environmental Statements and EIA Reports.

A detailed understanding of the Town and Country Planning EIA Regulations across the UK is essential. Knowledge of the Planning Act and Infrastructure Planning EIA Regulations would also be beneficial.

You will be able to work independently, identify technical gaps and produce clear, accurate and client-ready documentation. You will also be confident representing the business in client meetings and providing authoritative…