Principal EIA Consultant

Arcadis; Leeds; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consulting firm in Leeds is hiring a Principal Environmental Consultant to lead EIA projects and coordinate environmental work across multidisciplinary teams. The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of EIA practices, experience in infrastructure projects, and excellent report writing skills. The role includes client engagement, project management, and mentoring team members, contributing to sustainable solutions for impactful outcomes.

Qualifications

• Good knowledge of EIA related practices.
• Experience with various project types, especially in infrastructure.
• Ability to manage EIA screening and Environmental Statements.

Responsibilities

• Lead coordination of environmental work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Manage selected projects, ensuring quality assurance.
• Provide environmental advice and support to clients.

Skills

EIA practices and procedures

Environmental sustainability principles

Report writing skills

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent qualification

Job description

Overview

As part of a growing and agile Environmental Planning team at Arcadis, the Principal Environmental Consultant will work collaboratively with technical specialists on a broad range of projects, leading and coordinating Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and related deliverables, engaging closely with clients, developing new business opportunities and mentoring team members.

Role accountabilities

• Lead coordination and delivery of environmental work by multidisciplinary teams, influencing project development and ensuring optimal environmental outcomes.
• Undertake work to an excellent standard and review the work of others.
• Partner with the Impact Assessment Team across the UK.
• Proactively manage selected projects or components, allocating resources, managing subcontractors and ensuring quality assurance.
• Lead and support tender proposals and bids as part of project‑winning teams.
• Provide environmental advice and support to clients, project managers and colleagues.
• Engage with consultees and stakeholders.
• Develop outstanding reports; summarise and explain outcomes to non‑technical audiences.
• Manage projects, overseeing technical, quality, commercial and health & safety performance.

Qualifications & Experience

• Good knowledge of EIA practices and procedures and a solid understanding of environmental and sustainability principles.
• Experience across a range of project types, ideally within energy, residential/mixed‑use/regeneration, rail and highway infrastructure.
• Proven experience managing and coordinating EIA screening, scoping and Environmental Statements, including technical review of specialist chapters.
• Practical knowledge of the UK planning system and consenting process.
• Strong report‑writing, verbal and presentation skills with experience reviewing the work of others for quality.
• Experience in multidisciplinary coordination and project leadership with good project management and technical skills.
• Experience consulting and negotiating with planning authorities, regulators and stakeholders.
• Ability to work as part of an established team, supervising staff as applicable.
• Commercial expertise, including forecasting, project management and quality assurance.
• Relevant degree or equivalent qualification; preferably chartered status or working towards it.
• Valid UK driving licence.
• Desired: Experience delivering SEA and/or Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) projects.
• Desired: Knowledge and application experience of sustainability, waste or carbon assessments.

Why Arcadis?

We empower everyone to do their best work. By pioneering a skills‑based approach, you can harness your unique experience and expertise to carve your career path and maximize the impact we make together. You’ll do meaningful work, helping deliver sustainable solutions for a more prosperous planet and creating a lasting legacy.

Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We take equality and inclusion seriously and hold ourselves accountable for our actions. Our ambition is to be an employer of choice and provide a great place to work for all our people.