Principal Consultant

Description:

Mott MacDonald, a global engineering, management, and development consultancy, is seeking a Principal Environmental & Sustainability Consultant to join its Environment, Nature, and Consents business. This role is central to delivering innovative environmental solutions, managing environmental and sustainability workstreams across the full project lifecycle, and ensuring sustainable outcomes for a variety of clients, including local authorities, government agencies, utility companies, Network Rail, and National Grid.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead EIA screening and scoping, preparation of Environmental Statements, and other environmental reports.

• Coordinate technical input from multi-disciplinary specialists and manage environmental project programmes, resources, and finances.

• Undertake business development, proposal writing, and client engagement for environmental services.

• Mentor and line-manage environmental team members.

• Develop environmental technical specialisms alongside coordination responsibilities.

• Ensure integration of sustainability into project decision-making, collaborating with stakeholders, technical specialists, and clients.

Requirements & Skills:

• Relevant academic or professional qualifications.

• Chartership through a recognised professional body (IEMA, IES, CIWEM, or equivalent).

• Extensive experience in environmental assessment (EIA, SEA), UK environmental planning legislation, ESG, sustainability strategy, and appraisal development.

• Proven ability in client-facing roles, stakeholder engagement, and delivering positive outcomes.

• Strong planning, organisational, and project management skills.

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams and delivering high-quality environmental and sustainability outputs.

Desirable:

• Bid/tender delivery, including development of cost and quality responses.

• Experience with TWAO/DCO schemes, or in Water, Defence, Energy, Marine, or Rail sectors.

• People management and professional development experience.

• Delivery of environmental/sustainability workshops or training (online and in-person).

Benefits & Highlights:

• Private medical insurance, health cash plan, menopause support (Peppy), and comprehensive wellbeing programme.

• Pension contribution matching (4.5%–7%) and life assurance (up to 4–6x salary).

• Income protection and flexible benefits including critical illness cover, payroll savings, and will writing.

• 33–35 days holiday (inclusive of public holidays) with flexibility to buy/sell leave; increases after 5 years.

• Enhanced family and carers leave policies.

• Professional subscriptions, mentoring, formal training, and self-development opportunities.

• Participation in advanced employee networks supporting diversity, equity, inclusion, and social impact.

Company Overview:
Mott MacDonald is a global consultancy committed to improving society through excellence and innovation in engineering, management, and development services. Environmental and social outcomes are central to the company’s mission.