About the role:

We are seeking an experienced project manager to join us in our friendly, established Environmental Planning team which has built a strong reputation for delivery of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for often complex projects across a range of sectors particularly including onshore wind and energy infrastructure. This team focuses on the delivery of EIA and the provision of environmental planning support to projects seeking planning consent. You will be working collaboratively with our specialist internal teams of ecologists, ornithologists, archaeologists, and landscape architects, as well as our network of external consultants, and our high-profile clients on an exciting range of projects across the UK.

Working as a valued member of our team, you will be equipped with all the necessary support to continue to progress your career in EIA project management and will have the opportunity to work on a range of projects including onshore renewable energy developments, electricity transmission infrastructure, urban regeneration, and greenfield developments. LUC also regularly undertakes independent EIA reviews, and you will have the opportunity to use your EIA skills and experience to manage and co-ordinate the reviews.

Our EIA project managers are involved in all stages of project development from tendering through to completion and submission of the Environmental Statement and manage all aspects of the work carried out. Our project managers report directly to, and work alongside, our project directors and are supported by our EIA consultants as one dedicated EIA team. We will actively encourage you to continue to build on your skills and experience and LUC will support you in your career development as an EIA practitioner with training and mentoring and progression through the membership levels of IEMA/RTPI.

The key elements of the role include:

• Contributing to EIA tendering and business development activities, liaising with our clients and established internal and sub-consultant teams.
• Managing EIA projects reporting to the project director and supported by an assistant project manager including utilising environmental information to provide advice to our clients and inform the design/layout of developments.
• Liaising with project team members, clients and external organisations and representing LUC at meetings and consultation events.
• Overseeing the production of EIA Reports and ESs, including writing and review of report chapters, figures and appendices.
• Providing training and mentoring to more junior members of the EIA team.
• Managing our EIA Report/ ES review work and reviewing draft reports.

This is an opportunity to work for a sincere, employee-owned company with strong values and a particular focus on addressing the climate emergency. We work in a hybrid model and the role includes an expectation that successful applicants will be in the office a minimum of two days per week. There will also be travel required to visit sites, client offices and other office locations.

A full-time role would be based on 37.5 hours Monday to Friday. However, LUC has a strong track record in flexible working and we have been recognised for our flexible working culture, so we are happy to discuss a range of flexible working options for this role including part time hours (minimum 30 hours per week) if desired.

This is a great time to join LUC. Since its creation nearly 60 years ago, LUC has been driven by the belief that planning has a critical role to play in shaping the world around us for the better. This work has never been more critical or urgent.

The role includes the opportunity to share and participate actively in the management and ownership of the business through the Employee Ownership Trust. Being employee-owned gives us the independence to do things our way and grants every employee the power to shape our future, together. As an Employee Ownership Trust we are able to distribute our profits to our employees. We do this on an equal percentage basis across the business, based on profits generated. As employees of LUC we all have a say in the future of the business and share in the success.

About you:

We are seeking experienced, organised and enthusiastic people who are keen to utilise their EIA skills and knowledge to manage and deliver a range of projects. The role is primarily the management of the EIA process and technical specialists, with real-world opportunities for development and progression. The successful candidates will work closely with the project director who will act as a mentor to provide support and advice as well as more junior members of the team who will assist our project managers in delivering quality EIAs.

Experience and qualifications

Essential

• Experience in managing EIAs either through previous consultancy, client-side or consultee body/agency.
• Existing relationships with, and experience of negotiating with, key stakeholders and the public and knowledge of potential future LUC clients.
• Educated to at least degree level in a relevant environmental degree e.g. geography, environmental science / management / consultancy.
• An understanding of how EIA sits within the wider development process and have wider development planning experience and the confidence to engage with the design process for complex projects.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and time, using initiative and excellent communication, report writing and numeracy skills.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite, particularly Word and Excel.

Desirable

• Ideally, your experience will span several market sectors, including onshore wind and energy infrastructure, and will include managing EIAs for large and complex projects.
• A post-graduate qualification in, or covering, EIA.
• Working towards full membership/Chartered Membership of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), Institute of Environmental Sciences (IES), Royal Town Planning institute (RTPI) or similar.
• Working knowledge of GIS.
• Working understanding of specific environmental issues (e.g. water resources, peat, habitats).

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

Please apply by uploading your CV and a covering letter via the above link

LUC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. We value the differences, needs and contributions a diverse workforce represents, and we strive to embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all our people related activities.