Head of Consents & Land
Location - Scotland
Ref - HCL
We’re working with a leading developer of offshore wind projects, to appoint a Head of Consents & Land.
The project is supported by an experienced and agile development team that will expand as the project progresses. The Head of Consents and Land will lead several critical workstreams, including:
Land Acquisition
Land Strategy – Lead the ongoing development and refinement of the project’s land strategy, ensuring it aligns with project priorities, the wider development approach, and risk mitigation objectives.
Land Negotiations – Oversee and lead commercial negotiations with landowners, supported by specialist advisers, to secure land agreements in line with the project programme.
Third-Party Engagement – Represent the project in collaborative discussions with other regional land interests, including energy developers and other third parties. Secure necessary crossing and interface agreements for both onshore and offshore infrastructure.
Landowner Relationships – Build and maintain strong, constructive relationships with landowners throughout development, including during negotiations, site access, and third-party interactions, to support successful project delivery and risk reduction.
Offshore and Onshore Consents
Lead the project through the successful and timely determination of offshore and onshore consents, addressing key risk areas such as ornithology compensation, aviation mitigation (civil and military), and engagement with commercial fisheries.
Coordinate the preparation and submission of any additional environmental information or responses required by consenting authorities and local planning authorities.
Maintain proactive engagement with regulators, statutory consultees, and key stakeholders to shape proportionate and deliverable consent conditions, ensuring requirements are clearly understood across the project team to enable timely discharge.
Develop and deliver the next phase of the onshore consenting strategy, progressing from planning permission in principle to full planning (or matters specified), with high-quality applications targeted for submission in 2027.
Lead the discharge of consent conditions, managing interfaces with engineering and commercial teams to ensure consenting requirements are embedded in design, procurement, and delivery activities.
Work closely with stakeholder, communications, and policy leads to maintain strong consent-related engagement with local communities and stakeholders, supporting positive project perception and long-term relationships.
Provide subject matter expertise on policy and regulatory developments, representing the project through relevant trade bodies and industry groups.
General
Support the Project Management team in programme development and delivery, ensuring land and consenting activities align with key milestones, interfaces are managed, risks identified, and critical path activities de-risked.
Develop and manage land and consenting budgets through annual cycles and up to FID, balancing programme acceleration, risk reduction, and value creation while managing pre-FID expenditure.
Ensure Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality (HSEQ) best practice is embedded across all land and consenting activities, fostering a strong and positive HSEQ culture.
Act as a visible member of the project leadership team, working collaboratively with senior leaders to promote integration, collaboration, and delivery against core objectives.
Support project governance and shareholder engagement, contributing to reporting and decision-making processes at board level.
Serve as an external ambassador for the project, supporting its influence strategy and ensuring it is recognised by key decision-makers and stakeholders as critical to national Net Zero and Just Transition objectives.
Candidate Requirements
The role is suited to an experienced consents and land professional with a strong track record in the development of major UK energy or infrastructure projects. Experience in offshore wind is advantageous, though relevant experience from other energy or renewable sectors will be considered.
Essential:
Degree in a relevant discipline
Approximately 10+ years’ experience in consents and land roles, with a focus on development through to FID
Strong communicator with the ability to work effectively across engineering, commercial, and consenting disciplines
Proven people leadership experience, with the ability to build and sustain high-performing teams
Agile and adaptable, with experience in complex, collaborative project environments
Excellent written and visual communication skills
Knowledge of the UK offshore wind and/or renewable energy sectors
Well-established network of relevant stakeholders
Desirable:
Membership of a relevant professional body
Experience in offshore/onshore transmission and fixed and/or floating offshore wind projects
Experience transitioning projects from post-consent into construction
To find out more, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button below: