EIA Associate Director

JSM Associates; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays

Life assurance and income protection

Employee Assistance Programme

Ongoing training and development

Private medical insurance after probation

Health cash plan

Access to a private GP

Professional membership fees

Interest-free travel loans

Nursery scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

A leading independent consultancy is seeking an Associate to join their Environmental Planning team. This role involves leading environmental planning and EIA projects, managing budgets, and mentoring junior colleagues. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree, IEMA Principal EIA Practitioner level, and experience in budget management. The position offers a competitive salary, discretionary bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package including generous annual leave, life assurance, and ongoing training.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or higher qualification.
• IEMA Principal EIA Practitioner level and Chartered Environmentalist status.
• Strong knowledge of EIA legislation, planning processes, and relevant case law.
• Confident communicator with strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• Commercially aware, with budget management experience.
• Excellent report writing, analytical, and presentation skills.
• Strong professional integrity and sound judgement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of environmental planning and EIA projects.
• Prepare fee proposals and tenders, managing project budgets.
• Plan and chair meetings with clients and stakeholders.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships.
• Mentor junior colleagues and support professional development.
• Contribute to marketing activity and company initiatives.
• Support development of environmental planning strategies with senior leadership.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Negotiation skills

Budget management

Analytical skills

Professional integrity

Education

Relevant degree or higher qualification

IEMA Principal EIA Practitioner level

Chartered Environmentalist status

Job description

Highly regarded prestigious independent consultancy is seeking an Associate to join its Environmental Planning team. The role offers the opportunity to work on a wide range of high‑profile projects across regeneration, infrastructure, residential, industrial, logistics and commercial development.

The Role

This role will lead the delivery of environmental planning and Environmental Impact Assessment projects, ensuring technical excellence, robust financial management and effective stakeholder engagement.

You will combine project leadership with strategic advisory responsibilities, managing multidisciplinary teams, overseeing budgets and invoicing, preparing tenders and supporting the development of junior colleagues. Acting as a trusted advisor, you will represent clients in meetings and consultations, contribute to business development and help shape innovative project strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of environmental planning and EIA projects, providing clear, strategic advice
• Prepare fee proposals and tenders, managing project budgets, costs, invoicing and financial governance
• Plan and chair meetings with clients, stakeholders and planning authorities
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely, high quality outputs
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and support new business generation
• Mentor junior colleagues, review work for quality and support professional development
• Contribute to marketing activity and wider company initiatives
• Support the development of environmental planning strategies alongside senior leadership

About You

• Relevant degree or higher qualification
• IEMA Principal EIA Practitioner level and Chartered Environmentalist status
• Strong knowledge of EIA legislation, planning processes and relevant case law
• Confident communicator with strong negotiation and influencing skills
• Commercially aware, with experience of budget management and financial control
• Excellent report writing, analytical and presentation skills
• Strong professional integrity, sound judgement and collaborative approach
• Evidence of industry standing and ability to work effectively across teams

What’s on Offer

Alongside a competitive salary and discretionary bonus, the organisation offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support wellbeing and long term development, including:

• 28 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• Life assurance and income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Ongoing training and development
• Following probation, additional benefits include private medical insurance, health cash plan, access to a private GP, professional membership fees, interest free travel loans, nursery scheme and cycle to work scheme.

Inclusion and Flexibility

My client is committed to building an inclusive and supportive working environment where people feel valued and able to be themselves. Flexible working is supported, alongside strong wellbeing initiatives and employee networks. Applications are welcomed from all suitably qualified candidates and reasonable adjustments will be made throughout the recruitment process.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Consulting, Strategy/Planning, and Project Management
• Environmental Services, Environmental Quality Programs, and Architecture and Planning