Specialist Industry & Waste Regulatory Approaches Advisor

Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental regulator in Wales seeks a Lead Specialist Advisor to provide expert advice on decarbonisation and standards across various industrial sectors. The role involves interpreting legislation, developing guidance, and contributing to climate change policies. This position supports hybrid working, allowing flexibility in work arrangements while collaborating with stakeholders at all levels. Ideal candidates will have a solid background in environmental regulation and strong mentoring capabilities.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Mentoring opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in environmental regulation, focusing on climate change and industrial performance.
• Ability to interpret complex legislation and develop tools for policy.
• Experience working collaboratively with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on industrial sectors like chemicals and food.
• Develop UK Best Available Techniques (BAT) and ensure Welsh interests are represented.
• Contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation policies.

Skills

Expert advice on industrial sectors

Legislation interpretation

Guidance and policy development

Mentoring and coaching

Collaboration with government and industry bodies

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape how industry is regulated in Wales, guiding our response to climate change and driving improvements in environmental performance. As a Lead Specialist Advisor in the Decarbonisation and Standards Regulatory Approaches Team at Natural Resources Wales, you will provide expert advice on industrial sectors such as chemicals, combustion, metals, cement and minerals, and food and drink. You will lead on interpreting complex legislation, developing guidance and tools, and influencing future policy to support NRW's regulatory and permitting functions.

A key focus of the role is supporting the development of UK Best Available Techniques (BAT), ensuring Welsh interests are reflected in UK-wide standards. You will also contribute to the development of policies and approaches for climate change adaptation and mitigation across industry sectors.

You’ll join a small team of specialist advisors who work collaboratively with colleagues across NRW and with Welsh and UK Governments, other regulators, and industry bodies. The role has no direct line management responsibilities, but includes mentoring and coaching opportunities and offers significant scope to shape NRW’s approach at a national level.

This is a flexible, hybrid-working role based from any NRW office in Wales, combining policy development with external engagement and project leadership.

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 Jeremy Walters [e-mail]

About us

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is the main environmental regulator and adviser to the Welsh Government, committed to the sustainable management of Wales’s natural resources. Our corporate plan, Nature and People Thriving Together, sets out three well‑being objectives:

• Nature is recovering - Halt biodiversity loss and restore resilient ecosystems.
• Communities are climate‑resilient - Support adaptation and mitigation to address climate impacts.
• Pollution is minimised - Reduce pollution to protect and enhance the environment.

The Evidence, Policy and Permitting Directorate drives these goals by developing policy and strategy, gathering evidence, and providing tools, guidance, and standards for NRW teams and partners.

Within this directorate, the Industrial Decarbonisation and Standards Team leads on industrial decarbonisation and sets standards and operational policy for regulated sectors in Wales. This includes interpreting legislation, implementing climate change regulation, and representing Wales in the UK Best Available Techniques (BAT) process.