Consents manager

New Job Opportunity - Planning Consenting Manager - Initially 12 Month Contract

Our Client has a requirement for a Planning Consenting Manager, who will be required to work on a Contract basis in Glasgow.

Contract Length: Initially 12-month contract

IR35 Status: Inside IR35

Rate: Negotiable dependent on experience

Hybrid: 3 Days in the office, 2 days from home

Clearance: SC clearance required must be sole British National

Position Overview

The Planning and Consenting Manager for Programme Euston will be responsible for leading and managing all aspects of planning and consenting across both terrestrial and marine environments.

The role ensures the timely preparation, submission, and determination of all necessary planning applications, marine licences, consents, and exemptions required for programme delivery.

The postholder will work collaboratively with client-side teams, technical services, and design and construction partners to ensure all planning and consenting activities are:

• Strategically coordinated
• Compliant with relevant legislation
• Aligned with programme objectives

They will provide expert advice on town planning, marine licensing, and environmental permitting to maintain full regulatory compliance and programme efficiency.

Key Tasks

Planning and Consents Management

• Lead and manage the full lifecycle of planning and consenting activities across terrestrial and marine environments.
• Prepare, coordinate, and submit all required planning and consent applications, exemptions, and notifications with internal and external partners.
• Ensure all supporting documentation is accurate, comprehensive, and compliant with planning, environmental, and marine legislation.
• Coordinate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening and scoping requests and manage associated technical assessments.
• Manage prior approval notifications, marine consent submissions, and terrestrial planning applications on behalf of MOD and DIO.
• Provide expert advice on town planning, marine licensing, and environmental permitting to ensure full regulatory compliance.

Stakeholder and Consultation Management

• Lead stakeholder engagement on planning and consenting matters.
• Develop and oversee public consultation strategies to ensure compliance and effective community engagement.
• Liaise with regulators, planning authorities, the Scottish Marine Directorate, SEPA, and other statutory consultees to facilitate consent processes.

Risk and Compliance Management

• Maintain and manage the Planning and Consenting Risk Register, identifying risks and developing mitigation strategies.
• Monitor compliance with planning conditions, environmental obligations, and consent requirements.
• Provide strategic advice on planning and consenting risks and opportunities to senior management.

Appeals, Reviews, and Legal Processes

• Prepare and submit planning appeals in collaboration with DIO Technical Services.
• Support judicial review cases or related legal proceedings with legal advisors.
• Manage responses to statutory or legal challenges to programme consents.

Collaboration and Support

• Work with design and construction partners to ensure alignment between design development and planning/consenting requirements.
• Contribute to programme governance, reporting, and strategic decision-making.

Position Requirements

Essential

• Degree in Town Planning, Environmental Management, Marine Planning, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
• Chartered Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., RTPI, IEMA, or equivalent).
• Proven experience managing complex planning and consenting processes for major or nationally significant infrastructure programmes.
• Strong understanding of the UK planning system, marine licensing regimes, and environmental permitting processes (including SEPA requirements).
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and manage EIA screening/scoping, planning applications, and marine licence applications.
• Experience advising on planning, marine consents, and environmental permitting at strategic and programme levels.
• Excellent stakeholder management and consultation skills, with experience liaising with statutory bodies and regulators.
• Strong project management skills, including maintaining risk registers and reporting against milestones.

Desirable

• Experience working with or on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) or other UK Government departments.
• Familiarity with Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) procedures and governance frameworks.
• Knowledge of judicial review and planning appeals processes.

Company information

At First Recruitment Group we understand just how important it is to secure the right people. That is why our Recruitment Consultants always take the time to understand requirements in detail and offer sound advice to both clients and candidates.  We actively recruit at all levels and this is a superb opportunity for a Planning Consents Manager looking for new employment.

As part of putting people first, we strive to be an equal opportunities employer and we are always looking to increase the diversity of our workforce, working closely with our clients to ensure everyone is included.