Job Description

About the roleWe are continuing to build our Consenting Teams and seeking experienced Planning and Environmental Specialists to work as Consents Officers to help obtain the permissions we need to build the electrical infrastructure that will make net zero a reality. As a National Grid Consents Officer you will help get the necessary planning permissions to make major electricity infrastructure projects happen contributing to the Great Grid Upgrade.You will deliver on our consenting strategies, support the coordination of environmental impact assessments and delivering planning and environmental consents across a variety of new infrastructure projects throughout England and Wales both during the development and delivery phases. This includes supporting the connection of new generation through the development of new electricity transmission infrastructure together with upgrades to and replacement of existing infrastructure. Every day you'll be playing a crucial role in our ability to deliver a greener energy future.You will be joining a growing team of over 50 consents and environmental specialists that is responding to the challenge to deliver at least 17 major projects worth more than xc2xa316bn by 2031 as part of the Great Grid Upgrade.We have multiple roles across the planning teams supporting the development and delivery of our projects. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements. We can offer you the flexibility of an office base location or home working but travel to sites throughout England including Scottish Borders and Wales and especially the East Coast will be required.Onshore Consents Team
The Onshore Consents Team of consents managers and consents officers is focused on the development and delivery of projects consented via a Development Consent Order (DCO) applications under the Planning Act 2008 that are wholly onshore. In this team you will be a Consents Officer reporting to a Senior Consents Manager providing consents and environmental support for the development and delivery of new onshore electricity transmission projects (predominantly new significant length overhead line and substation projects). We have roles in the team working on the development and delivery phase of DCO Projects.Offshore Consents Team
The Offshore Consents Team of consents managers and consents officers is focused on the development and delivery of projects consented via a Development Consent Order (DCO), Town and Country Planning and marine licence application and marine licence applications u. In this team you will be a Consents Officer reporting to a Senior Consents Manager providing consents and environmental support for the development and delivery of new predominantly offshore electricity transmission projects including offshore cables, onshore underground cables and converter stations.Central Consents Team
The Central Consents Team of consents managers and officers is focused on the development and delivery of projects consented largely via Town and Country Planning, S37 consents and use of permitted development rights. In this team you will be a Consents Officer reporting to a Senior Consents Manager providing consents and environmental support for the development and delivery of upgrades to the existing transmission system and substantial new substation builds which might include working on your own portfolio of smaller schemes across the business or working as part of a team on a larger project.You will ideally have major project experience with an emphasis on Town and Country Planning applications.About youWhat we do isn't just important - it's essential. That's why we look to recruit experts in their field. In this case, we're looking for someone who:

• You are deeply committed to energy security and Net Zero and keen to help us accelerate and make things happen faster. The quicker we gain the consents we need the sooner our projects can go ahead. You are happy to speak up, challenge the status quo, and show us how we could be doing things better.
• Whilst on one hand you're resilient, you are also compassionate.
• You can understand the concerns a local resident might have about a project and will do whatever you can to help support them.
• A collaborative mindset is essential.
• You will ideally have major project experience on DCO projects and/or infrastructure planning or policy experience to support the management of consistency and best practice across project teams. ( onshore )
• You will ideally have major project experience on DCO projects or other consents regimes and/or infrastructure planning or policy experience to support the management of consistency and best practice across project teams with a particular interest or experience in projects which have a marine element to them. ( offshore )

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of colour are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At National Grid, we're committed to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace for everyone. So if you're excited about this role but your experience or qualifications don't match the job description exactly, we encourage you to apply anyway. You might just be the right person for our growing business in this role or another one.What you'll do

• Working alongside colleagues to obtain consents for your projects and enabling them to be developed and delivered to programme and cost, whilst maintaining or enhancing the reputation of National Grid. You could be working on one large project or four or five smaller ones.
• Supporting other consenting experts for your projects and working with more senior consents officers and managers. You will support managing all the necessary environmental survey and assessment work across your projects.
• With the support of a Lead Consents Officer, you'll provide guidance to Project Managers and Engineers on subjects such as consenting strategies and processes, consenting and environmental risks, and associated costs and timelines.
• Supporting engagement effectively and professionally with external stakeholders (who can often determine whether a project goes ahead). You know how to bring them along with us and build their considerations into how projects are developed and delivered.
• Ensuring you are very well informed about your projects. When talking or writing about them, you do so in an accessible, understandable way.
• Ensuring external stakeholders understand what a project looks and feels like, and why it has to happen.
• Consulting with a variety of people in a range of different ways. For example, you might be talking to local residents or local authorities, either face-to-face, in town hall meetings or online webinars.
• Quickly building effective and enduring working relationships with the organisations that make consenting decisions, such as government, local planning authorities, the Planning Inspectorate and the Marine Maritime Organisation. You will also build relationships with key stakeholders and consultees, such as Natural England, the Environment Agency and Historic England.
• Supporting the management of technical consultants as they produce environmental assessment reports, planning deliverables, consultation reports or other supporting consent applications documents.
• Supporting the management of various technical environmental disciplines, including archaeology, ecology, landscape and visual, and traffic and transport. Even if you're not an expert in such disciplines you will know how and when to ask intelligent questions to ensure we always produce robust, resilient consent applications.
• Forming excellent, enduring working relationships with Engineering, Legal, Lands and External Affairs teams, challenging and collaborating in a mutually supportive way.
• Developing effective relationships inside and outside the company and tailoring your communication and presentation style accordingly. For example, some stakeholders will require clear, concise information, whereas others may need a softer, more detailed-orientated style.
• Approaching whoever you need to within the organisation - regardless of expertise or seniority - to obtain the information you need.

What you'll getA competitive salary, of between xc2xa348,000 - xc2xa355,000 dependant on your experienceAlongside your annual salary, you will be given an additional xc2xa34,500 per year Market Supplement, paid monthly .As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on personal and company performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.You will also receive;

• A job requirement company car will trigger when you travel over 10,000 miles a year for business purposes.

• Our flexible, hybrid working arrangements. We have a reputation for promoting a healthy work/life balance. If you want to see more of your children, help care for relatives, or simply get to walk your dog in the evening we offer that flexibility.

• You'll get 26 days annual leave plus statutory holidays. You'll also have the option to buy or sell holiday days, and benefits such as 26 weeks fully paid parental or adoption leave, and back-up care service are standard.

• Our double-matched pension contribution scheme means your pension could be worth up to 18% of your salary.

• There is the option to buy discounted National Grid shares.

• Financial support for study relevant to your role is available.

• Our Flexible Benefits scheme offers discounts on everything from the weekly shop to your annual summer holidays. You'll find savings on cinema tickets and at a range of high street retailers, including Sainsburys, John Lewis, Currys, Argos and Marks and Spencer.

About usNational Grid Strategic Infrastructure has a key role to play in tackling climate change by accelerating our capacity to deliver clean electricity across the UK. We already operate the fastest decarbonising electricity grid in the world, with an ambition for zero carbon operation by 2025. And by 2035, we want to run 100% clean, green energy, all the time.Here at National Grid, we connect homes and businesses to power, making sure supply and demand match each other. We make sure the lights are on in schools, operating theatres, and sporting arenas; we're thousands of people working on behalf of millions of people.
Our investment in Strategic Infrastructure via the Great Grid Upgrade will mean more home grown power, greater energy security and a cleaner future.Whatever your role, wherever you work with us, you'll help us hit stretching targets and achieve our far-reaching goal: to secure, clean energy that supports our world far into the future. Here, you will be at the heart of energy.More informationThis role closes on 16th April , however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date.We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential.#LI-AT1
#LI-HYBRID

National Grid