Senior Principal / Technical Director EIA Consultant

Stantec; Ashton-under-Lyne; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy is seeking a Technical Director for Environmental Impact Assessment to lead EIA projects in the water sector across the UK and Ireland. You will mentor teams, foster collaboration, and bring extensive experience in environmental consulting. This role offers flexibility with hybrid working arrangements, allowing for a supportive work environment focused on delivering high-quality solutions that address complex environmental challenges.

Benefits

Hybrid working arrangements

Support for professional development

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in strategic environmental advice and EIA delivery.
• Strong understanding of environmental constraints management.
• Experience with terrestrial and possibly marine consenting.

Responsibilities

• Lead water sector major projects EIA advice and delivery.
• Collaborate with practitioners and support the Environmental Assessment Training Academy.
• Grow and mentor project teams in environmental consulting.

Skills

Environmental consulting expertise

Stakeholder engagement

EIA delivery

Team leadership

Education

Environmental or related degree

Chartered status (e.g., CIWEM, CIEEM, IEMA)

Job description

Are you a passionate environmental leader looking to make a genuine impact? Do you thrive on tackling complex environmental challenges and building successful teams?

We're seeking a passionate and highly experienced Environmental Impact Assessment consultant at Technical Director level to lead our water sector major projects EIA advice and delivery across the UK and Ireland.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with colleagues across the UK and island of Ireland and be responsible for technical oversight and governance for water sector EIA development projects, reporting into our UK&I Environmental Advisory, Assessment and Planning discipline lead. You will work with the discipline lead to set strategic direction and to help deliver the Environmental Assessment Training Academy, a funded learning programme intended to enhance capability and capacity in the business. You will work alongside our existing practitioners and champion further growth and capability strengthening. You will also have the opportunity to work on a variety of non‑EIA projects and programmes with significant environmental components and will enjoy the level of autonomy appropriate to this environmental leadership role.

You will have substantial demonstrable experience (20 years+) in providing strategic environmental advice and EIA delivery (including screening, consultation, scoping and ES) and in building strong relationships with key stakeholders and regulators. You will have a wide-ranging understanding of environmental constraints management and all facets of EIA but you might have a background as an environmental generalist, or have particular technical specialisms to bring to the role alongside those of our existing spectrum of technical teams. Understanding of terrestrial consenting regimes is expected and experience in the marine environment and marine consenting will be a distinct advantage.

All environmental technical disciplines are represented in house and are available to work with you. We have a team of over 400 environmental and planning professionals delivering impactful projects across the UK&I with exceptionally strong growth and look ahead in the regulated water industry.

You can choose to be based in any of our Stantec offices and with hybrid working allowing for a mix of home‑and in‑office working but always ensuring close ties to your colleagues and clients.

About You

You must hold an environmental or related degree and be chartered (e.g., through CIWEM, CIEEM, or IEMA).

You will possess a strong understanding of the environmental consulting market across the UK, coupled with the entrepreneurial and commercial acumen needed to help us further grow our teams within a collaborative and supportive environment.

Demonstrated experience working within the regulated water industry is required. As a leader, you relish a diverse and technically challenging workload, enjoying the delivery of innovative, high‑quality solutions for clients while working collaboratively to achieve shared goals. People‑oriented, you enjoy working with multi‑disciplinary teams and maintain a genuine passion for the environment and doing the right thing.

A key focus will be on growing and developing environmental teams, alongside mentoring and managing people and project teams. You should have broad EIA technical and legislative knowledge and experience, most likely with an in‑depth understanding and interest in one or more environmental technical areas, such as ecology, landscape, or the coastal / marine environment. Experience undertaking EIA as part of the DCO process and of Strategic Environmental Assessment would be helpful, but it is not essential for the role.

#UKWater #LI-MH1

About Stantec

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.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

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. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.