Principal Environmental Consultant

Description:

Mott MacDonald, a globally respected engineering, management, and development consultancy, is hiring an experienced Principal Environmental Consultant to join its Environment, Nature, and Consents business unit. With over 100 sustainability professionals across 18 UK and Spanish offices, the team leads transformative projects in energy, ports, marine, defence, water, rail, and urban development sectors.

As a Principal Consultant, you'll coordinate and deliver environmental and sustainability services, advocating for positive environmental and social outcomes throughout the full project lifecycle—from business case development to construction.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead EIA screenings, scoping, and production of Environmental Statements.

• Coordinate input from multi-disciplinary technical specialists.

• Manage project programmes, resources, and budgets.

• Develop and write business proposals and bid responses.

• Liaise with clients and stakeholders on environmental aspects of projects.

• Provide mentorship and line management to junior team members.

• Opportunity to specialize in a technical area within environmental consulting.

Candidate Requirements:

Essential:

• Relevant academic and professional qualifications.

• Chartered membership with IEMA, CIWEM, IES, or similar.

• Demonstrated expertise in EIA, SEA, environmental legislation, ESG, and sustainability strategies.

• Experience working with public and private sector clients.

• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, planning, and project delivery skills.

• Proven experience in multi-disciplinary team leadership.

Desirable:

• Bid/tender writing experience.

• Knowledge of TWAO, DCO procedures, and sectors like water, energy, rail, marine, and defence.

• Line management and staff development experience.

• Experience facilitating environmental workshops or training.

Benefits:

• Private medical insurance, cash plan, and Peppy support (menopause care)

• Pension contributions matched up to 7%

• Life assurance up to 6x salary and income protection plan

• Flexible benefits including critical illness cover and will writing

• 33–35 days holiday, plus options to buy/sell and increase over service

• Enhanced parental leave (26 weeks paid maternity/adoption)

• Five carer’s leave days, two paid

• Access to professional development, training, mentoring

• Supportive employee networks (LGBTQ+, disability, ethnicity, parents)

• Annual bonus schemes and flexible working policies