Consents Manager

Description

The purpose of the role is to work alongside the Senior Consents Manager – Permits Licences Consents (PLC) Lead to identify, coordinate, submit and assure permits, licences and consents required for the DCO Heathrow expansion project and other HAL capital delivery programmes. The role will include working with the HAL Town Planning and Consenting function, working closely with more technical consenting professionals in the function as well as HAL’s supply chain. The role holder should have good understanding of the process and stages involved in the Town and Country Planning Act (TCPA) and the Development Consent Order (DCO) regimes and in particular have good knowledge and experience of post consent and delivery on major projects. The role holder should demonstrate good experience and skills across programme management, stakeholder management and project controls. 

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Responsibilities

• Lead the identification and management of permit, licence, consent, and document requirements associated with the DCO, ensuring alignment between consent compliance, post‑consent obligations, and programme delivery.
• Collaborate with internal teams, consultants, regulators, and external stakeholders to facilitate constructive engagement, secure required approvals, and obtain necessary information in a timely manner.
• Maintain accurate records, track milestones, and prepare high‑quality reports and documentation to support governance, compliance, and programme requirements.
• Identify, assess, and manage risks that could impact consent delivery, developing and implementing mitigation strategies to support successful outcomes.
• Coordinate closely with designers, engineers, project managers, and consenting specialists to integrate consent requirements into project plans, schedules, and delivery activities.
• Drive continuous improvement in consents management processes, sharing knowledge and working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams to promote best practice, efficiency, and successful programme delivery.

Qualifications

• Good understanding of process and stages involved in TCPA and DCO regimes and in particular post consent discharge.
• Good knowledge and understanding of post-consent experience on environmental permits, licenses, consents and other compliance matters during construction and operation.
• Project management skills, including the ability to prioritise tasks, manage competing deadlines, and coordinate activities across multiple fronts.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to assess complex regulatory requirements, identify potential risks, and develop pragmatic solutions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders and negotiate effectively to achieve desired outcomes.
• Experience of managing and progressing a large scale consenting application (DCO and aviation sector desirable).

Ideally, you will also have

• Relevant degree level qualification, e.g., town planning, environment management/geography, project management and major programme, etc.
• Recognised professional qualification, e.g. APM, PRINCE, MRTPI, MRICS, MCIOB, CEnv etc.
• Client-side experience, experienced in setting ambitious goals for project teams and positively driving the team forward with a result-driven mindset.