Consents Manager (Inside IR35)

Consents Manager - Contract Inside IR35
Location - Home based with travel to client sites near Scotland 

This is a hybrid role, with flexible home-based working, supported by Occasional Travel for client meetings.
 

• The Consents Manager will be responsible for identifying, advising on, and securing the environmental, planning, and highways consents required to support the successful delivery of a complex linear infrastructure scheme. The role includes proactive management of consent-related risks and compliance obligations and requires a confident communicator with experience navigating statutory processes, land agreements, and project commitments.
• The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining the project’s Commitments and Consents Register, coordinating with internal teams, external stakeholders, and subcontractors to ensure consents are obtained, tracked, and discharged appropriately throughout the lifecycle of the project.

  Key Responsibilities:

• Consents Management & Advisory
• Advise project teams on the consents, permissions, and approvals required for all stages of the works (including environmental, planning, highways, and utility-related consents).
• Act as a key point of contact for interface with planning authorities, highways authorities, and other consenting bodies.
• Lead the preparation and submission of consent applications, Section 50, Section 61, and associated undertakings or agreements.
• Project Commitments & Registers
• Maintain and update the Commitments and Consents Register, ensuring it reflects current project scope, programme, and responsibilities.
• Track compliance with consent conditions, undertakings, and obligations throughout the delivery phases.
• Monitor and report on consent status and associated risks to the project leadership team.
• Stakeholder & Subcontractor Coordination
• Liaise with subcontractors and internal teams to ensure awareness and compliance with consent requirements.
• Undertake audits and compliance checks across the project to confirm delivery in line with consent obligations and approvals.
• Support planning for future works by advising on likely consenting timelines and dependencies.
• Interface with Land & Legal
• Support the management of land access issues, landowner agreements, and wayleaves where linked to consent requirements.
• Coordinate with project teams on the discharge of obligations under development agreements or planning conditions. Required Qualifications and Experience:
  • Degree in Town Planning, Environmental Planning, Law, or a relevant infrastructure or land-related discipline.
  • Chartered or working towards chartered membership of the RTPI, IEMA, or equivalent professional body.
  • Strong knowledge of UK planning and environmental legislation, including TCPA processes, highways consents, and statutory undertakings.
  • Experience managing consents on large-scale infrastructure projects or linear schemes (e.g., highways, energy, rail, utilities).
  • Ability to interpret and manage legal and planning obligations and coordinate with contractors to ensure compliance.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Proficiency in MS Excel and document management tools for tracking registers and compliance status.
  • Full UK driving licence (travel to project sites required).
  Desirable:
  • Experience working on linear infrastructure projects
  • Working knowledge of land acquisition processes and landowner liaison.
  • Familiarity with GIS systems or project management software for infrastructure planning.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.