Associate - EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)

With over 40 years of sector experience, our client is one of the largest independent planning and environmental consultancies in the South East, delivering comprehensive planning services across the UK.

They are a people-focused organisation and attribute their success to the strength and expertise of their team. By investing in professional development, they ensure consistently high standards of service for their clients.

Due to continued growth across their project portfolio, our client is seeking an Associate/Associate Director to join and strengthen their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) team. This is an opportunity to play a key role within a collaborative consultancy, delivering EIA projects across multiple sectors throughout the UK. The role offers flexibility and can be based in London, Kent or East Sussex with close office collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and submission of EIA Screening and Scoping Reports.

• Oversee the structure, drafting and quality assurance of Environmental Statements, including core chapters and reporting.

• Manage multidisciplinary inputs from technical specialists, ensuring alignment, consistency and compliance within the overall assessment.

• Manage junior members of the team and act as mentor for their professional development

• Act as the primary liaison for clients, coordinating communication between stakeholders and internal project teams.

• Provide strategic direction for the division and wider business.

• Degree or postgraduate qualification in a relevant discipline such as Environmental Planning, Environmental Policy or Sustainable Development.

• Practitioner-level membership (or higher) of ISEP.

• Demonstrable experience coordinating EIA processes across varied development types.

• Ability to independently manage key stages of EIA delivery with minimal senior oversight.

• Experience supporting NSIP projects would be advantageous but is not essential.

Opportunity

This role offers the chance to take on a senior position within a well-established and respected consultancy, with real scope to influence the direction and growth of the EIA function. You will work on high-profile and complex projects, collaborate with experienced professionals across disciplines, and contribute to strategic client relationships. In return, our client offers a supportive and flexible working environment, clear progression pathways, and the opportunity to help shape the future capability of a growing team.