Principal EIA Consultant

Tetra Tech Europe is looking for a Principal Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Consultant to help us shape the future of Nationally Significant Infrastructure. Join our team and help deliver some of the UK’s most high-profile infrastructure and planning projects. You will lead complex EIA workstreams, influence project strategy and build trusted relationships with clients, stakeholders and technical specialists.

The role is hybrid and can be based in Milton Park (Oxfordshire), Cardiff or Woking. This is an opportunity to play a leading role in projects spanning renewable energy, data centres, urban development, airports and other nationally significant infrastructure.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

As Principal EIA Consultant, you will lead and coordinate EIA activities from feasibility and site selection through to planning consent. You will act as a key interface between clients, project teams and internal technical specialists, ensuring requirements are clearly understood and delivered to a high standard.

Your responsibilities will include leading EIA workstreams, coordinating multidisciplinary inputs, managing programmes, overseeing quality assurance and maintaining strong client relationships. You will contribute to the preparation and review of screening and scoping reports, Environmental Statements and EIA Reports, ensuring they meet legislative requirements, industry best practice and client expectations.

You will work closely with Project Directors, Project Managers, technical specialists, graduates and junior consultants. The role also provides opportunities to contribute to bids, support budget and cost reporting, and develop your leadership and line management experience.

Our team has a strong track record of delivering successful consents for major projects, including the Morgan and Morecambe Offshore Wind Farm Transmission Assets, Gatwick Airport and Ayre Offshore Wind Farm onshore infrastructure.

Your Impact in this position

In the short term, you will establish yourself as a trusted adviser to clients and a credible point of contact across project teams. You will deliver high quality EIA outputs, coordinate technical contributions and support the timely submission of planning applications and DCO documentation.

As your experience develops, you will take ownership of complete EIA workstreams, lead multidisciplinary teams and manage stakeholder engagement across complex projects. You will help projects progress to agreed timescales, budgets and quality standards, with success measured through robust planning outcomes, positive client feedback and effective project delivery.

Over the longer term, you will have the opportunity to lead nationally significant infrastructure projects and progress towards Associate level. You will contribute to strategic project decisions, support business development and help secure repeat work through strong client relationships and successful bids. You will also play an important role in mentoring graduates and junior consultants, helping to build the capability of the wider team.

Core Capabilities

EIA Expertise

You will bring strong practical experience of leading and managing EIA projects across a range of sectors. You will be confident producing and reviewing EIA chapters, screening and scoping reports, Environmental Statements and EIA Reports.

A detailed understanding of the Town and Country Planning EIA Regulations across the UK is essential. Knowledge of the Planning Act and Infrastructure Planning EIA Regulations would also be beneficial.

You will be able to work independently, identify technical gaps and produce clear, accurate and client-ready documentation. You will also be confident representing the business in client meetings and providing authoritative advice throughout the project lifecycle, from feasibility through to consent.

Project Leadership & Delivery

You will lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate complex project programmes, ensuring that technical inputs are delivered on time and to the required standard. Acting as a central point of contact, you will brief internal specialists, manage delivery risks and maintain oversight of project progress.

You will be comfortable discussing challenges openly with clients, including potential impacts on cost, programme or scope. A professional and solutions-focused approach will be important, as will the ability to contribute to bid development and, where relevant, budget and cost reporting.

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management

You will build effective working relationships with clients, regulators, technical specialists and internal teams. Your communication style will be adaptable, allowing you to explain complex issues clearly to different audiences and maintain trust throughout the project.

You will be comfortable managing expectations, facilitating constructive discussions and handling sensitive conversations with professionalism. Experience of stakeholder mapping, consultation strategies and public engagement, particularly on nationally significant infrastructure projects, would be valuable.

Technical Oversight & Quality Assurance

You will provide detailed oversight of technical inputs, ensuring that project outputs are accurate, clear, consistent and compliant with relevant requirements. You will review specialist work, identify gaps and support teams in strengthening their deliverables.

The role requires a strong eye for detail, sound judgement and the ability to interpret complex environmental information. You will ensure that technical findings are presented clearly and support robust decision-making within planning submissions and examinations.

Mentorship & Team Development

As a senior member of the team, you will support the development of graduates and early-career consultants through guidance, feedback and knowledge sharing. You will help colleagues build their technical confidence, develop their project skills and contribute effectively to client work.

You will help foster a collaborative and supportive team culture, while contributing to continuous improvement and the development of the next generation of EIA professionals.

Training, Qualifications & Experience

You will hold a relevant degree, with a supporting master’s degree being advantageous. Practitioner membership of ISEP would be beneficial.

We are looking for significant practical experience in EIA consultancy, project leadership and the delivery of complex infrastructure or planning projects. Equivalent professional experience will be considered alongside formal qualifications.

Working Environment

This role can be based from our offices in Milton Park (Oxfordshire), Cardiff or Woking. The position offers a hybrid and flexible working approach, combining office collaboration, remote working and project-based travel.

As an indicative arrangement, you can expect to spend approximately two days per week in the office, with flexibility depending on project requirements, team activities and client commitments. Some travel to client offices, project locations, consultation events and meetings may be required.

Working patterns can be discussed to support both business needs and individual circumstances. The role is well suited to someone who values technical variety, collaborative project delivery and the flexibility to work effectively across office, remote and site-based environments.

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