Consents Manager

OCU Group; Erith; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

OCU Group, a leading UK energy and infrastructure contractor, is seeking a Consents Manager in Erith to own consenting activities for major projects across the UK. You will manage DCO processes, discharge consent obligations, and coordinate with regulators and planning authorities to ensure compliant delivery.

You will build strong relationships with regulators, environmental teams and project stakeholders, navigate complex consenting landscapes, and drive risk-based delivery while maintaining

Qualifications

• Significant experience managing planning, environmental or infrastructure consents within major utility, energy or infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of the DCO process and NSIP planning framework.
• Experience securing and managing secondary consents and regulatory approvals for construction projects.
• Knowledge of UK planning and environmental legislation.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead DCO management: development, submission, examination and implementation of DCOs for NSIPs.
• Discharge DCO Requirements and manage consent obligations across the project lifecycle.
• Maintain Consent Compliance Registers and tracking systems.
• Coordinate with Planning Inspectorate, Secretary of State, local authorities and regulators.
• Identify, secure and manage secondary consents, permits, licences and approvals.
• Develop and maintain Consent Schedules and Consent Action Plans aligned with programmes.
• Monitor consent conditions through construction, commissioning and handover.
• Engage with regulators and project stakeholders to support delivery.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Project management

Negotiation

Communication skills

Organisational capabilities

Regulatory knowledge

Job description

Consents Manager

Department: Large Energy Programmes

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Erith

Reporting To: Matthew Taylor2

Description

At OCU we are playing a vital role in the UK's energy transition, delivering the infrastructure needed to create a more sustainable future. As we continue to grow, we're looking for an experienced Consents Manager to join our team and play a key role in delivering major energy and infrastructure projects across the UK.

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of consenting activities across complex, large-scale infrastructure projects, helping turn ambitious plans into reality. From Development Consent Orders (DCOs) for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) to the management of secondary consents, permits, licences and regulatory approvals, you'll ensure our projects are compliant, coordinated and ready for successful delivery.

Working collaboratively with colleagues across development, engineering, environmental and construction teams, you'll build strong relationships with regulators, planning authorities, statutory consultees and other key stakeholders. Your expertise will help us navigate the consenting landscape, manage risk, maintain programme certainty and deliver projects safely, responsibly and efficiently.

If you're passionate about infrastructure, thrive on solving complex challenges and want to make a meaningful contribution to the UK's energy future, we'd love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities

Leading DCO management

• Support the development, submission, examination and implementation of DCOs for NSIPs.
• Lead the discharge of DCO Requirements and manage compliance with consent obligations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Maintain robust Consent Compliance Registers and tracking systems, ensuring project activities align with approved requirements.
• Review construction methodologies and proposed works against DCO constraints, identifying risks and supporting change processes where required.
• Coordinate submissions and liaise with the Planning Inspectorate, Secretary of State, Local Planning Authorities, statutory consultees and legal advisors.

Managing secondary consents

• Identify, secure and manage the secondary consents, permits, licences, agreements and approvals needed to enable project delivery.
• Develop and maintain Consent Schedules and Consent Action Plans aligned with project programmes and milestones.
• Coordinate applications, technical documentation and supporting information.
• Monitor consent conditions and environmental, planning and regulatory obligations throughout construction, commissioning and handover.

Building strong stakeholder relationships

• Act as the key point of contact for consenting matters across multiple projects.
• Develop trusted relationships with regulators, planning authorities, statutory consultees and project stakeholders.
• Coordinate responses to regulatory queries and information requests.
• Represent OCU Energy at stakeholder meetings, workshops and regulatory forums.

Supporting successful project delivery

• Work closely with project management, engineering, environmental and construction teams to embed consent requirements into delivery plans.
• Identify consenting risks and opportunities, developing practical mitigation strategies.
• Provide consenting advice during project development, tendering and delivery.
• Support project governance, reporting, compliance audits and assurance activities.
• Capture lessons learned and champion continuous improvement across our consenting processes.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

We are looking for a proactive, organised and commercially aware professional who can confidently manage complex consenting requirements while building positive relationships across a diverse range of stakeholders.

You’ll ideally have:

• Significant experience managing planning, environmental or infrastructure consents within major utility, energy or infrastructure projects.
• A strong understanding of the DCO process and the NSIP planning framework.
• Experience securing and managing secondary consents and regulatory approvals for construction projects.
• Knowledge of UK planning and environmental legislation.
• A track record of working effectively with Local Planning Authorities, statutory consultees and regulatory bodies.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and communication skills.
• Strong project management and organisational capabilities, with the ability to balance competing priorities across multiple projects.
• Confidence preparing reports, maintaining compliance records and advising project teams on consenting risks and obligations.

It would be great if you also have:

• Experience in electrical transmission, substations, battery energy storage, solar, hydrogen or other major utility infrastructure.
• Experience working on DCO-authorised schemes.
• Chartered membership, or a commitment to working towards chartership, with a relevant professional institution.

Job Benefits

Our ambition is to become the UK's leading energy transition and utilities contractor. We're committed to innovating, delivering sustainably and building the capabilities needed to tackle the UK's most complex infrastructure challenges.

At OCU, you'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that matter, collaborate with talented people and help shape the infrastructure of a lower-carbon future. We believe our success comes from our people, our shared purpose and the way we work together.