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.

• Lead and coordinate Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for Development Consent Order (DCO) applications and other major infrastructure projects.
• Manage EIA work streams 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…