Senior Consents Consultant (Town Planning)

Leadership and mentoring — supporting colleagues through delegation, coaching, and knowledge sharing.

You will play a key role in providing expert advice and delivering complex, multi-disciplinary projects — particularly in the energy, marine, transport, and utilities sectors. The ideal candidate will combine technical expertise with strong communication, leadership, and project management skills.

Provide expert advice on the Scottish planning system, policy, and consenting frameworks.

Navigating the intricate landscape of planning permissions, environmental assessments, regulatory approvals, and stakeholder consultation is vital to delivering projects on time and within compliance. Assystem’s dedicated Consents Management experts bring clarity and control to this process — ensuring that all required permissions are identified, secured, and maintained seamlessly from concept through to operation.

Support or lead environmental permit and marine licence applications under relevant Scottish legislation.

Coordinate with planning authorities, SEPA, Marine Scotland, and other statutory bodies to secure consents and permits.

Lead or support planning and consenting strategies for major terrestrial and marine infrastructure projects.

Ensure planning and consenting activities align with wider project and portfolio objectives.

Contribute to business development, client engagement, and mentoring junior colleagues.

Manage and coordinate the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, including screening, scoping, and stakeholder engagement.

Prepare and submit planning and environmental documentation, such as Planning Statements and Environmental Reports.

Deliver and lead stakeholder engagement programmes, including liaison with local authorities, statutory consultees, and the public.

• Leadership and mentoring — supporting colleagues through delegation, coaching, and knowledge sharing.
• Provide expert advice on the Scottish planning system, policy, and consenting frameworks.
• Support or lead environmental permit and marine licence applications under relevant Scottish legislation.
• Coordinate with planning authorities, SEPA, Marine Scotland, and other statutory bodies to secure consents and permits.
• Lead or support planning and consenting strategies for major terrestrial and marine infrastructure projects.
• Ensure planning and consenting activities align with wider project and portfolio objectives.
• Contribute to business development, client engagement, and mentoring junior colleagues.
• Manage and coordinate the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, including screening, scoping, and stakeholder engagement.
• Prepare and submit planning and environmental documentation, such as Planning Statements and Environmental Reports.
• Deliver and lead stakeholder engagement programmes, including liaison with local authorities, statutory consultees, and the public.

Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and collaborate effectively.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced planner with deep knowledge of the Scottish planning system and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations. Familiarity with SEPA environmental permitting and marine licensing processes is also essential.

Demonstrated commercial awareness and understanding of project delivery frameworks.

Degree in Town Planning, Environmental Planning, or a related discipline (RTPI-accredited).

Integrity and openness — fostering a culture of trust and effective communication.

Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills.

Chartered Member of the RTPI (or working towards chartership).

Hands-on experience with SEPA environmental permitting and Marine Licensing processes.

Excellent project management, communication, and report-writing skills.

Decisiveness — sound judgement in business and project decisions, knowing when to escalate or seek input.

Due to the nature of the projects and the environments in which we operate, this role is open only to sole UK nationals. The successful candidate must be eligible to obtain and maintain security clearance (SC level or higher). Applicants will be required to undergo appropriate background checks in line with government and client requirements.

Adaptability and resilience — thriving in dynamic, multidisciplinary project environments.

Behavioural Qualities

Strong working knowledge of EIA regulations in Scotland and the UK.

Innovative thinking — the ability to challenge standard approaches to improve outcomes and manage risk.

Proven experience delivering major infrastructure projects within consultancy, regulatory, or client-side roles.

• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and collaborate effectively.
• Demonstrated commercial awareness and understanding of project delivery frameworks.
• Integrity and openness — fostering a culture of trust and effective communication.
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
• Chartered Member of the RTPI (or working towards chartership).
• Hands-on experience with SEPA environmental permitting and Marine Licensing processes.
• Excellent project management, communication, and report-writing skills.
• Decisiveness — sound judgement in business and project decisions, knowing when to escalate or seek input.
• Adaptability and resilience — thriving in dynamic, multidisciplinary project environments.
• Innovative thinking — the ability to challenge standard approaches to improve outcomes and manage risk.
• Strong working knowledge of EIA regulations in Scotland and the UK.
• Proven experience delivering major infrastructure projects within consultancy, regulatory, or client-side roles.