Head of Onshore Consents

SSE; Perth; Hybrid; AUD 154,000 - 231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare discounts

Cycle to Work scheme

Family entitlements: maternity/adopt.

Paternity leave

Job summary

SSE is seeking a Senior Onshore Consents lead to set the strategy for environmental approvals across a major portfolio of transmission projects. You will guide a multi-disciplinary team, influence policy, and ensure compliant, robust approaches for major investments in the energy transition.

You will lead onshore routing and consenting, build trusted relationships with government and planning authorities, and oversee budgets, reporting and governance to deliver safe, value-driven outcomes.

Qualifications

• In-depth knowledge of Environmental Impact Assessment and planning law.
• Experience leading large multi-disciplinary teams.
• Strong commercial awareness and governance of major projects.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Degree in environmental or planning discipline; membership in IEMA or RTPI.

Responsibilities

• Set and lead onshore routeing, site selection, EIA strategies and consenting.
• Lead and develop a large multi-disciplinary team.
• Provide senior oversight of environmental and consenting activities across early project lifecycle.
• Build relationships with government bodies, planning authorities and statutory consultees.
• Oversee onshore consenting procedures, budgets and governance.

Skills

Environmental EIA | planning

Team leadership

Commercial awareness

Stakeholder influencing

Communication & negotiation

Education

Environmental/planning degree

Professional membership (IEMA/RTPI)

Job description

Base Location: For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Scottish locations and you'll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in the office - Perth, Glasgow, Aberdeen or Inverness.

Salary: £80,700 - £121,100 + car /car allowance - if applicable + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.

Working Pattern: Permanent Full Time Flexible First options available

The role

This is a unique opportunity to lead the onshore consents and environment function for SSEN Transmission, setting the strategy that will deliver expert EIA's and secure statutory consents across a major portfolio of electricity transmission projects. You will guide a large, collaborative and award winning multi-disciplinary team, influence policy and regulation, and embed consistent, robust approaches that support investment decisions and the transition to net zero.

You will

• Set and lead our onshore routeing, site selection, environmental assessment and consenting strategies, ensuring statutory consents are secured in line with project, regulatory and business priorities.
• Lead, support and develop a large, multi-disciplinary team, allocating resources effectively and creating a collaborative culture focused on safety, quality and successful delivery.
• Provide senior oversight of environmental and consenting activities across the early stages of the project lifecycle, resolving complex issues and helping project teams manage risk and maintain delivery schedules.
• Build trusted relationships with government departments, consenting bodies, planning authorities, statutory consultees and environmental NGOs, representing SSEN Transmission in senior forums and helping influence policy.
• Oversee onshore consenting procedures, consultancy frameworks, budgets, performance reporting and assurance, ensuring consistent standards, value for money and compliance with governance requirements.

You have

• In-depth knowledge of Scottish Environmental Impact Assessment, spatial planning and environmental consenting, and the legislation and consenting frameworks relevant to major onshore infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience of leading and developing large, multi-disciplinary teams, with the ability to set direction, manage competing priorities and support effective delivery across several complex projects.
• Strong commercial awareness, including experience of contract and financial management, consultancy frameworks and the governance of major projects.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills, with experience engaging senior representatives from government, planning and consenting authorities, statutory bodies and legal teams.
• A degree in an environmental or planning discipline, together with membership of an appropriate professional institution such as IEMA or RTPI.

About SSE

SSE's purpose is to be restless every day until we make electricity clean, affordable and available for all.

We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. This includes electricity transmission and distribution networks, onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro-electric power and flexible thermal generation. We also provide products and services for businesses and other customers.

Our investment plan will see SSE invest £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure to 2030.

SSEN Transmission own and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for the communities we serve. But that's not all - we're upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown power for the future and building the infrastructure needed for a cleaner electricity system to create secure power for generations to come.

Flexible benefits to fit your life

Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact Stephanie at [e-mail] / 01738 342963 to discuss how we can support you.

We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.