Associate Director - EIA

RPS Group; Abingdon; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy in the UK is seeking an experienced Associate Director - EIA to manage large-scale environmental impact assessment projects. This role involves leading multidisciplinary teams, liaising with clients, and ensuring compliance with regulations, particularly for renewable energy projects. Ideal candidates will possess strong project management skills and a relevant educational background. The position supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements, promoting a collaborative environment focused on problem-solving.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Agile office layout

Health and wellness initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience managing large EIA projects, especially DCO and renewable infrastructure.
• Excellent report writing and review skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with clients and legal teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage multidisciplinary EIA project teams.
• Be primary client contact on EIA projects.
• Ensure high quality of deliverables and compliance with regulations.

Skills

Project management

EIA project management

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Education

First degree in a relevant environmental subject

MSc in Environmental Impact Assessment or related

Job description

Associate Director - EIA

RPS is looking for an Associate Director to join us in our specialist EIA team, to be based at either Abingdon, Manchester or Edinburgh. We are working on some of the most exciting Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects in the UK and internationally, including large scale energy projects – think GW rather than MW! This includes solar, offshore wind, international interconnector and energy storage projects. We are the EIA lead for the Gatwick Airport Northern Runway Project, Morgan and Mona Offshore Wind Projects, Morgan and Morecambe Transmission Assets, TWP, XLinks interconnector and a large portfolio of energy storage and solar projects.

Our team works with bp renewables, EnBW, Flotation Energy, Alcemi, Photovolt Development Partners, XLinks, Statera and Radioactive Waste Management (RWM), as well as many major energy companies. Our track record in renewables, transport and net zero carbon means that we gain repeat business across these sectors.

We’re RPS and our people are our success. We need people who share our passion on solving the problems that matter. Our flat structure creates greater collaboration and speed of communication and working with some of the brightest minds in the industry, we’ll need your input.

What you’ll be doing

With experience within this sector, you’ll already be familiar with what we’re looking for. You’ll have the opportunity to work on and manage a range of EIA projects, including large scale renewable DCO projects. You will be able to lead a multidisciplinary EIA project team and provide advice to the client, based on your experience on other projects.

You’ll be working within a multi‑disciplinary environment with the opportunity to be part of a highly regarded team.

A typical week could include :

• Project management role for large DCO projects or for several smaller TCPA EIA projects
• Management of EIA team, including briefings of authors and lead for ensuring chapters are compliant and maintaining high quality of deliverables
• Working as a primary point of client contact on some of the leading EIA projects in the UK
• Advising on legislative requirements, good practice, budget and programme.
• Management of EIA consultation, requirements including coordination of Expert Working Groups
• Sign off of ES documents in preparation for client or legal review
• Opportunities for line management and mentoring of team members
• Opportunities to work on and develop digital EIA deliverables.
• Preparation of bid / tender documents with our bid team, as required

Who we’re looking for

You’ll have excellent experience of managing EIA projects, ideally including DCO and renewable infrastructure projects. Experience in the requirements for developing and consenting offshore wind, onshore cable routes, substations, solar farms would be an advantage.

Your report writing and review skills will reflect our high standards and you will be able to work collaboratively and have the ability to work with clients legal teams and other consultancies. A good eye for detail is essential as are strong problem‑solving skills, helping to address client concerns and ‘make complex easy’. We’d like you to have :

• Experience of managing large EIA projects (essential).
• Experience working on large DCO projects, ideally including renewable projects (desirable).
• Experience in managing the client‑EIA team interface and ensuring our clients’ high standards are met (essential).
• Detailed knowledge of the EIA Regulations and Planning Act and the requirements to deliver a compliant submission (essential).
• An eye for detail (essential).
• Willingness to travel for client or stakeholder meetings.
• Previous digital EIA experience or relevant skills to help in leading out digital EIA offering (desirable).
• A first degree in a relevant environmental subject and ideally an MSc in a relevant topic . Environmental Impact Assessment, Environmental Management or similar

There will be some travel so a full UK driving license is required.

What’s in it for you?

Our people are our success. We need people who share our passion on solving the problems that matter. Our flat structure creates greater collaboration and speed of communication and working with some of the brightest minds in the industry, we’ll need your input.

We understand the need to work flexibly, with agile offices and hybrid working offered as standard, we’re happy to talk about flexible working. This is a workplace that works for you.

We encourage and value different ideas, perspectives, and styles of thinking. We need a mix of experiences and skills to develop the most innovative ideas. We respect one another and recognise the potential and contribution of everyone. You’ll be joining a diverse community and a company that puts its people first and prioritises their wellbeing.

What happens next?

The Talent Acquisition Team will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application. If your application is progressed, you’ll have a conversation with one of our recruiters followed by an interview with the EIA Team.

If this opportunity suits your career journey, we’d love to hear from you. All applications will be considered.

We’re RPS, A Tetra Tech company

Representing an exciting new chapter in our business, on 24 January 2023 RPS became a Tetra Tech company. With over 28,000 employees in more than 550 offices in more than 120 countries on seven continents, Tetra Tech is a leading, global provider of consulting and engineering services. As a Tetra Tech company, RPS is proud to offer our people market‑leading development and project opportunities, helping to solve some of the world’s most complex problems.

Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Mindful that a truly inclusive organization must make appropriate use of talent on a global basis and without unnecessary barriers, we are committed to embedding diversity and inclusion principles in all People processes in order to be as diverse as the communities and clients we work with, thereby securing, developing, and retaining the best available talent for the company’s future.

Our approach to Diversity and inclusion

Our people live our purpose, deliver our promise, and demonstrate our behaviours every day. Our behaviours define who we are. Developed by our people, they underpin everything that we do. They create the memorable experiences we are known for and make RPS a great place to do great work.

‘Stronger Together’ is one of our five core behaviours and it is inherent in creating an inclusive workplace :

‘We are respectful, acknowledge diversity, and recognise the potential and contribution of everyone. We bring out the best in one another, always assuming best intent. People who learn and grow thrive in our business, sharing in our success.’

Recruitment Agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.