Principal EIA Consultant

Stantec; Northampton; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private medical insurance

Pension

Life assurance

Job summary

Stantec in the United Kingdom is seeking a Principal EIA Consultant to lead environmental assessment and consenting services across infrastructure, energy, water, transport and development projects. You will work with planners, engineers and specialists to deliver robust EIAs and provide trusted client guidance.

You will mentor colleagues, contribute to business development and help grow our environmental assessment capability across the UK.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in EIA, environmental consultancy, environmental planning or related discipline.
• Strong experience delivering and managing EIA projects with Environmental Statements and supporting docs.
• Understanding of UK environmental assessment legislation and planning policy.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of EIAs, Environmental Statements and related documentation.
• Manage EIA projects and workstreams from scoping through submission.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary inputs and ensure robust environmental assessments.
• Provide technical guidance on environmental constraints and mitigation.
• Prepare and quality‑assure EIA reports and supporting documentation.
• Advise on strategy, planning considerations and risk management.
• Build relationships with clients, regulators and stakeholders.
• Lead stakeholder engagement events and project meetings.
• Oversee programmes, budgets, resources and timescales.

Skills

EIA expertise

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Report writing

Client relationships

Team leadership

Budget management

Mentoring

Education

Environmental degree

Tools

ArcGIS

MS Office

Job description

We’re looking for a Principal EIA Consultant to join our growing environmental team. This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role in delivering environmental assessment and consenting services across a diverse portfolio of infrastructure, energy, water, transport and development projects. You’ll work at the intersection of environmental assessment, planning and sustainable development, helping clients understand and manage environmental impacts while navigating the requirements of the UK planning and consenting process. Working alongside planners, environmental specialists, engineers and other technical experts, you’ll lead project delivery, coordinate multidisciplinary teams and provide trusted advice to clients. You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to business development, support the development of colleagues and play an important role in the continued growth of our environmental assessment capability. With the role available nationally, you’ll have the flexibility to be based at one of our UK offices, working collaboratively with colleagues across our wider business.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to the delivery of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Environmental Statements and associated environmental assessment documentation across a range of sectors.
• Manage EIA projects and workstreams from early project development and scoping through assessment, reporting, consultation and submission.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary technical inputs, ensuring environmental assessments are robust, proportionate and delivered to a high standard.
• Provide technical advice on environmental constraints, potential impacts, mitigation measures and consenting requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
• Prepare, review and quality‑assure EIA reports, Environmental Statements, technical assessments and supporting documentation.
• Apply a strong understanding of UK environmental assessment legislation, planning policy and relevant guidance to inform project decisions and deliver effective outcomes.
• Advise clients and project teams on environmental assessment strategy, planning considerations and approaches to managing environmental risk.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, local authorities, statutory consultees, regulators and other stakeholders.
• Lead and contribute to stakeholder engagement, consultation exercises, workshops and project meetings.
• Manage project delivery, including programmes, budgets, resources and technical quality, ensuring work is completed within agreed timescales and commercial parameters.
• Identify opportunities to improve project delivery, develop practical solutions and share best practice across the wider team.
• Support business development through client engagement, identifying opportunities, preparing proposals and contributing to bids and tenders.
• Develop and maintain client relationships, helping to secure repeat business and support the growth of our environmental consultancy services.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring and support to junior and intermediate colleagues, contributing to their professional development.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across our planning, environmental and engineering teams to deliver integrated, sustainable solutions for our clients.

Your Impact: You’ll play a key role in helping clients navigate complex environmental challenges and deliver projects that balance development needs with environmental responsibility. Through your technical expertise and project leadership, you’ll help ensure environmental considerations are embedded in decision-making from the earliest stages of a project through to consenting and delivery. You’ll have the opportunity to work on a varied portfolio of projects, contributing to solutions across sectors including energy, water, transport, infrastructure and the built environment. As a Principal Consultant, you’ll take ownership of project delivery, provide trusted technical advice and build lasting client relationships. You’ll also help develop the capability of our wider environmental team, sharing your knowledge and supporting colleagues as they progress in their careers. Working within a multidisciplinary organisation, you’ll have access to expertise across a broad range of environmental and engineering disciplines, enabling you to deliver integrated solutions to complex project challenges. You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to business growth, influence how we deliver our services and help shape the future of our EIA capability across the UK.

Qualifications & Experience

• Significant experience in EIA, environmental consultancy, environmental planning or a closely related discipline.
• Strong experience delivering and managing EIA projects, including the preparation, coordination or review of Environmental Statements and supporting technical documentation.
• A good understanding of UK environmental assessment legislation, planning policy, consenting processes and relevant technical guidance.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary environmental assessments and managing inputs from a range of technical specialists.
• The ability to identify environmental risks and opportunities, develop appropriate mitigation strategies and provide practical, commercially aware advice.
• Proven project management skills, including managing programmes, budgets, resources and competing priorities.
• Experience building effective relationships with clients, regulators, statutory consultees and other stakeholders.
• Strong technical report‑writing, analytical and communication skills, with the ability to explain complex environmental issues clearly to different audiences.
• Experience supporting bids, tenders, proposals and business development, with an interest in developing client relationships and identifying new opportunities.
• Experience mentoring and supporting colleagues, sharing technical knowledge and contributing to a positive team culture.
• A proactive, collaborative approach and the ability to work effectively across a geographically dispersed, multidisciplinary team.
• A genuine interest in sustainable development and delivering environmental outcomes that make a positive difference.
• A relevant degree in environmental science, environmental planning, geography or a related discipline.
• Membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), or another relevant professional accreditation, would be advantageous.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who is passionate about environmental assessment, committed to delivering high‑quality work and motivated to make a difference through their technical expertise, leadership and contribution to the wider team.

Company Highlights

• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world’s top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups), The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Benefits

• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
• Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work‑life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world‑class talent is a crucial key to our success.