Senior Regulation Advisor

NATURAL RESOURCES WALES; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental environmental agency in the UK is seeking a Senior Advisor for Regulatory Approaches to lead the development of new strategies under the Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024. The role requires experience in government influence, knowledge of Welsh laws, and the ability to manage stakeholder relationships. This position offers a salary of £41,132–£44,988 and a full-time, fixed term contract with flexible working options.

Benefits

Civil Service Pension Scheme

28 days annual leave

Health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Experience in engaging with regulatory bodies.
• Ability to develop training for internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of regulatory approaches.
• Coordinate input across regulatory functions.
• Maintain relationships with trade associations.

Skills

Knowledge of Welsh, UK, and EU legislation related to your sector(s)

Experience influencing government departments

Relationship management with stakeholders

Understanding regulatory activities

Ability to work at pace

Job description

Team / Directorate: Marine Regulatory Policy & Approaches Team / Evidence, Policy and Permitting

Starting salary: £41,132 rising to £44,988 per annum through annual increments being paid each year (pro rata for part-time applicants)

Contract type: Fixed Term appointment - 12 months from appointment date with the possibility of extension

Work pattern: Full time, 37 hours per week (Part time, annualised hours, compressed hours or term-time working considered - discussions at interview stage welcome)

Interview Date: Week commencing 1 September 2025

Post number: 203908 (For office use only: M, GGL, ENV, GRJ, TTJ)

The role

Are you ready to help shape how Wales delivers major infrastructure in a way that protects our environment and ensures regulatory rigour? We're seeking an experienced regulatory professional to play a pivotal role in implementing Natural Resources Wales' (NRW) responsibilities under the new Infrastructure (Wales) Act 2024.

As Senior Advisor for Regulatory Approaches (Infrastructure), you'll lead the development of new regulatory approaches to support the streamlined consenting process introduced by the Act. This includes helping to define how consents such as marine licences and other regulatory permissions are managed when deemed within an Infrastructure Consent (IC), and ensuring our involvement aligns with legal and environmental requirements.

You'll also play a key role in embedding a fully cost-recoverable pre-application advice service across NRW, developing the guidance, tools, and training required to support both internal teams and external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities include:

• Designing NRW's regulatory approach to assessing whether marine licence applications should be deemed within an Infrastructure Consent.
• Developing practical guidance and training to support internal teams and ensure consistency across consent regimes.
• Leading NRW's interaction with stakeholders, including PEDW, Welsh Government, and developers during pre-application and consenting phases.
• Supporting the creation of a chargeable, fully cost-recoverable pre-application advice service under the new Act.
• Coordinating input across regulatory functions to ensure a joined-up and legally sound process.

This is a key opportunity to influence how Wales balances infrastructure growth with environmental sustainability. If you're confident working across regulation, policy, and stakeholder engagement—and you want to help shape the future of consenting in Wales—we want to hear from you.

As an organisation, we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home, and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face-to-face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Ryan Knowles at [e-mail]

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams.

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

What you will do

• Be the principal point of contact with relevant UK and Welsh Trade Associations, Government Departments, and environmental regulators, both UK and European, to share information and work together on the development of operational policy and new legislation, interpretation of relevant legislation, advice, and guidance for the specific sector(s) and areas of responsibility.
• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of the assigned sector(s), identifying implications of legislative, technological, and market changes for NRW and the sector(s).
• Support the development and training of staff across NRW by applying technical, legislative, and regulatory knowledge and experience.
• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues, including commissions by RBG, to enable consistent understanding and application by staff, ensuring effective regulatory service provision.
• Contribute to the delivery of the team's business plan, directorate delivery plan, and NRW's corporate plan.
• Support mentoring and coaching of Advisors within the team to ensure sufficient technical and legislative resilience.
• Advise on evidence needs, commission evidence, and project manage evidence projects in line with the evidence programme.
• Design monitoring and evaluation frameworks of regulation interventions to inform improvements in regulation and permitting processes.
• Undertake health and safety duties appropriate to the post.
• Be committed to NRW's Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, understanding its operational responsibilities.
• Be committed to your own development through your personal development plan (Sgwrs).
• Perform any other duties reasonably requested, consistent with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge, and skills

In your application and interview, demonstrate these skills and experience using the STAR method:

• Knowledge of Welsh, UK, and EU legislation related to your sector(s); Welsh and UK policy drivers.
• Experience in informing and influencing government departments/regulators, preferably on environmental issues.
• Experience in forming and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver outcomes.
• Understanding and application of regulatory activities.
• Ability to work at pace with a proven track record of delivery.
• Innovation and drive to achieve targets.
• Keep up to date with regulatory policy and legislative changes, e.g., via professional memberships.

Welsh language level requirements

• Essential: Level A1 — Basic understanding and use of simple Welsh phrases.

NRW offers learning options and support to meet these minimal requirements during employment.

Benefits

This role offers benefits including:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme with 28.97% employer contributions.
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days.
• Generous leave entitlements.
• Commitment to professional development.
• Health and wellbeing benefits.
• Weekly wellbeing hour.

See full details of employee benefits.

We encourage applications from under-represented communities and guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet minimum criteria.

We aim to attract and retain talented staff, offering competitive pay scales and career development opportunities.

We are a bilingual organization complying with Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are an asset, and staff are encouraged to develop them.