Principal Consultant- HRA

APEM Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy in the UK is seeking a Principal HRA Consultant for offshore renewable projects. You will lead HRA workstreams, oversee assessments, and mentor a high-performing team. The ideal candidate has a relevant degree, a deep understanding of HRA legislation, and experience in major offshore projects. The role offers competitive benefits, including private medical insurance and flexible working options.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Access to mental health first aiders

Comprehensive income protection

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Proven experience delivering HRA for major offshore infrastructure projects.
• Experience with protected species licensing.
• Confidence working with clients and regulators.

Responsibilities

• Lead HRA workstreams across offshore wind and marine projects.
• Coordinate specialists to inform robust assessments.
• Build and mentor a high-performing HRA team.

Skills

Deep understanding of HRA legislation and related assessment frameworks (EIA, EcIA, SEA)

Excellent communication skills

Significant experience managing complex projects

Strong understanding of marine ecological impacts

Education

Degree in marine/environmental sciences (preferably MSc)

Job description

About The Role

Are you an experienced HRA specialist ready to take the lead on some of the UK and Ireland’s most ambitious offshore renewable and marine infrastructure projects? Do you thrive at the intersection of legislation, ecology, and strategic project delivery? Are you looking for a role where your expertise genuinely shapes outcomes, guides clients, and supports the future of sustainable marine development?

We’re looking for a Principal HRA Consultant to join our Marine Infrastructure Services (MIS) division at APEM Group—a team recognised for delivering high-quality, evidence-based advice across the full lifecycle of offshore developments. This is a senior, influential role where you’ll lead HRA workstreams across pioneering offshore wind and marine infrastructure projects, collaborating with technical specialists across GoBe and the wider APEM Group, and acting as a trusted advisor to clients navigating complex legislative and consenting environments. You’ll play a central role in shaping mitigation and compensation solutions, supporting strategic decisions, and representing clients in consultations, hearings, and discussions with SNCBs.

With offshore renewables continuing to accelerate and GoBe involved in over 50% of UK offshore wind projects to date, this is an exceptional opportunity to drive meaningful change in a rapidly evolving sector. You’ll lead the delivery of HRA and related assessments, overseeing Screening, Scoping, NIS/HRA and Derogation workstreams across major offshore projects. You’ll coordinate specialists in ornithology, marine mammals, benthic ecology and more to inform robust assessments, manage project programmes and budgets, guide clients through complex legislative requirements, and support post-consent work. You’ll build and mentor a high-performing HRA team, contribute to bids and business development, maintain strong relationships with statutory bodies and stakeholders, and help shape GoBe’s future project pipeline. As a senior voice within the MIS division, you’ll influence strategy, champion best practice, and support continuous improvement across the wider business.

What you’ll bring

• A degree (preferably MSc) in marine/environmental sciences
• Deep understanding of HRA legislation and related assessment frameworks (EIA, EcIA, SEA)
• Proven experience delivering HRA for major offshore infrastructure projects
• Strong understanding of marine ecological impacts and offshore consenting
• Experience with protected species licensing
• Excellent communication skills and confidence working with clients and regulators
• Significant experience managing complex projects, budgets and schedules

Bonus points for

• Experience delivering marine EIAs
• Background in offshore wind or marine development
• Experience working with regulators or statutory bodies
• Team leadership or mentoring experience
• Experience presenting at public/oral hearings
• Membership of a relevant professional body
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with enthusiasm for innovation

You’ll be at the forefront of the offshore renewables sector, working on nationally significant projects and helping shape future best practice in HRA. You’ll collaborate with leading specialists, influence strategic decisions, and play a key role in developing GoBe’s growing team and technical offering—all while making a genuine contribution to sustainable marine development.

You will be offered the chance to work on a variety of projects, many of our employees have worked on projects that have been of personal interest to them. We match this with a commitment to continuous development and learning to support your career. We also offer benefits to look after you, from private medical insurance for all employees, access to mental health first aiders and comprehensive income protection if you cannot work. We also offer superb flexible working options, balancing work with your life.

Next steps

We are focused on creating a diverse and inclusive team. If you can’t tick every box on our job description, then we are still keen to hear from you and are open to supporting your development. That may be working part time or supporting you to gain experience in a specific area – we are a growing company and are able to adapt roles to reflect individual skills.

If you think you have what it takes to join our fast-growing business, then please apply immediately on our website. All we need some basic information and your CV, we will review all applications quickly and will respond to all applications.

About Us

The APEM Group is a global environmental consultancy, we work with a range of clients including large corporations and governments to help them understand and solve a wide variety of environmental projects in the UK and globally. Our successful pioneering work has enabled us to grow and combine forces with other businesses who share our ethos and integrity. At our core, our people are working toward the protection of the environment across the globe.