Principal Consultant / Technical Director of Environmental Permitting

Allen & York; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading UK environmental consultancy is seeking a Principal Consultant / Technical Director to enhance its environmental permitting practice. This hybrid role involves shaping strategies, leading permitting projects, and mentoring junior staff while addressing regulatory obligations. Ideal candidates will possess significant consultancy experience, deep knowledge of the Industrial Emissions Directive, and strong skills in environmental risk assessment. The position offers a supportive environment and attractive benefits including hybrid working and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Enhanced pension scheme

Life cover

Discretionary bonus

Wellbeing support

Option to buy additional leave

Qualifications

• In-depth understanding of the Industrial Emissions Directive and UK regulations.
• Strong track record in preparing high-quality permit applications.
• Background in environmental management systems or auditing is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Shape and deliver the strategy for permitting and industrial emissions.
• Lead major permitting projects and guide clients through regulatory obligations.
• Develop and mentor junior colleagues to maintain high technical standards.

Skills

Understanding of the Industrial Emissions Directive

Experience in consultancy

BAT assessments

Environmental risk assessment

Ability to interpret complex process information

Education

Relevant postgraduate qualification

Job description

Principal Consultant / Technical Director – Environmental Permitting

UK – Bristol, London, Leeds or Warrington (Hybrid)

A leading UK environmental consultancy group is undertaking a confidential search for a senior environmental permitting specialist to help drive the continued growth and strategic development of its industrial emissions and permitting practice. This opportunity is suited to an experienced professional with deep technical knowledge of the regulatory landscape and a strong consultancy background.

The role sits within a respected group of environmental consultancies that operate as a single integrated team of more than 140 specialists across the UK and continental Europe. The organisation delivers high-quality expertise across air quality, carbon and climate change, acoustics, the natural environment, environmental policy and economics, industrial pollution control and socioeconomics. Its permitting team works closely with colleagues supporting industrial clients across a broad range of sectors including combustion plant, waste incineration, refining, chemicals, metals, food and drink, surface treatment and wider waste operations, while also contributing to national and international policy work for governments, NGOs, development banks and the European Commission.

Responsibilities

• Take a key role in shaping and delivering the organisation's strategy for permitting and industrial emissions.
• Lead its implementation, adapt it in response to legislative or market developments, and identify new opportunities and build relationships with prospective clients.
• Lead major permitting projects, including new applications, variations, transfers and surrenders, and support clients with pre-operational conditions, improvement conditions, BAT assessments and related technical studies.
• Guide clients through regulatory obligations under UK permitting regimes and provide clear, authoritative advice on risks and opportunities.
• Contribute expertise to industrial emissions policy studies undertaken for UK and international institutions.
• Develop the team, offer direction and mentoring to junior colleagues and help maintain high technical standards.

Qualifications

• In-depth understanding of the Industrial Emissions Directive and its UK implementing regulations.
• Strong track record within consultancy, significant experience in preparing high-quality, duly made permit applications for installation activities, and confident ability to interpret complex process information and manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Background in BAT assessments and environmental risk assessment, a demonstrated ability to win new work and a history of supporting the development of junior staff.
• Full UK driving licence essential; additional experience in environmental management systems, environmental auditing or development of Fire Prevention Plans beneficial.
• Relevant postgraduate qualification or chartered status would be valuable.

Benefits

The organisation offers the opportunity to join one of the most respected environmental consultancy teams in the UK, with a culture that values wellbeing, flexibility and professional development. Employees benefit from hybrid working, a supportive environment and an attractive benefits package including an enhanced pension scheme, life cover, a discretionary bonus, wellbeing support and the option to buy additional leave. The group is committed to equal opportunities and fosters an inclusive working culture.

About us

Allen & York have been matching purposeful people with purpose-led organisations for 30 years. We partner with our clients and candidates on roles that build an understanding of climate change, promote sustainability and create inclusive and responsible organisations, working towards a sustainable world for us all. Committed to inclusiveness in the workplace, we aim to increase diversity across all areas and therefore welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their ethnicity, race, gender, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, or whether or not they have a disability. Let’s help build a better world, together.