We have an exciting opportunity for a Development Consent Order Manager to join us as we progress the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme.
As part of this role, you will manage the detailed planning and assessment work for our GDF Programme DCOs, so we are looking for a client-side DCO lead who shares NWS’ values – an action oriented, collaborative leader who will be ambitious and will act with integrity to deliver our DCO programmes of work.
This is a rare opportunity to become involved at a formative stage of a major infrastructure project. The programme duration and many of the engineering and consenting challenges faced by the GDF Programme are unique and unprecedented in the UK, including a community based siting process and a need for multiple DCOs.
- Setting strategic direction, coordinating with the project team and leading colleagues, consultants, contractors and other parties involved in working towards robust DCO applications
- Overseeing the DCO application process, including stakeholder engagement, consultation, and drafting of the DCO documents. Coordinating with colleagues and consultants who will lead environmental impact assessment work
- Liaising with regulators, the community partnerships and other parties involved in the DCO process
- Leading the planning and implementation of DCO consultation activities.
- Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, policies, standards, and best practices for DCO applications
- Monitoring and reporting on the progress and performance of the DCO process, including identifying and managing risks and issues
- Leading procurement and budget control work relating to DCO activities
- Providing expert advice and guidance on DCO matters to colleagues and senior management.
Essential
- A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline, such as planning, engineering, environmental science
- Experience in preparing compliant Development Consent Order (DCO) application packages for consenting complex major infrastructure projects (£500m+) in the UK through the Planning Act 2008
- Experience in taking DCO applications through examination
- Knowledge of the Planning Act 2008, the National Policy Statements, and other relevant legislation and guidance for DCO applications
- Experience leading, motivating and managing multi-disciplinary teams, including internal and external resources, to drive integration, teamwork and problem solving while holding teams accountable for performance
- Excellent collaboration, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to lead and to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Experienced and comfortable with change with the ability to work with an organisation that is undergoing significant transformation and can demonstrate a proven ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities
- Attention to detail and quality assurance
- Chartered membership status of a relevant professional body
Desirable
- Knowledge and experience of application work under other planning regimes, such as TCPA, TWAO or Hybrid Bill. In particular, use of TCPA applications in parallel to DCO work, for example to allow early site investigations.
- Experience of managing or supporting public consultation activities associated with major infrastructure applications
- Experience in leading or close liaison with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) workstreams supporting major infrastructure applications
- Relevant experience of working with internal and external stakeholders to deliver project objectives.
