UK- Environment and Consents Manager

Company Overview: 
Mainstream Renewable Power is a leading pure-play renewable energy company, with wind and solar assets across global markets, including in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Our mission is to accelerate the global transition to renewable energy by delivering clean, affordable and reliable energy at scale. We are one of the most successful developers of gigawatt-scale renewables platforms, across onshore wind, offshore wind, and solar power generation with a global portfolio of 20.8 GW.  In May 2021, Aker Horizons acquired a majority stake in Mainstream, and in April 2022, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. joined Aker Horizons as a long-term strategic investor. We currently employ over 400 people across 5 continents, and we are looking for ambitious, driven, and talented people to join us on our mission to drive forward the energy transition.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Arven Offshore Wind Farm is a floating offshore wind farm in the early stages of development, located to the east of the Shetland Islands. The project is being developed by a 50:50 joint venture between Mainstream Renewable Power and Ocean Winds, with an integrated team of specialists from both project partners.

The Environment and Consents Manager will have a key role in the project team, managing elements of consenting, compliance and environmental risks, with the following key responsibilities:

• Leading site selection activities, seeking to mitigate environmental, technical and consent risk.
• Coordinating consent and licence applications.
• Supporting in development of a project design envelope.
• Managing the delivery of documents to support consent applications e.g. EIA and HRA.
• Facilitating successful stakeholder engagement and maintaining engagement records.
• Managing contracts, budget and programme.
• Managing the discharge of planning conditions.

The Environment and Consents Manager will coordinate with other project work packages including engineering, grid, legal, land and stakeholder management. They will be responsible for the identification and management of key consenting risks. They will be expected to support both onshore and offshore consenting work streams.

This role will be dedicated to the Arven project in the immediate term however there may be opportunities to work on other projects in Mainstream’s wider portfolio in the longer term.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Key responsibilities are described further below. The Environment and Consents Manager will be supported in delivery of these responsibilities by the Consents Lead.

Site selection

The Environment and Consents Manager will advise on and support in infrastructure site selection, identifying the most suitable location for onshore substation, onshore cables, landfall and ancillary infrastructure, and offshore cables. This will involve close working with engineering, stakeholder and land management colleagues, plus interacting with landowners and other key stakeholders.

Planning / licence applications

The Environment and Consents Manager will lead the preparation of relevant planning/licence applications to enable project surveys, construction and operation. This will involve managing specialist consultants and liaising with the relevant regulatory authorities.

Consents strategy

The Environment and Consents Manager will provide advice and input in relation to the development of a project consents strategy document, which will guide the consenting process for the project. They will implement and update the strategy. The Environment and Consents Manager will also provide advice and input in relation to the development of a project ‘design envelope’, which will be used to inform EIA scoping and detailed impact assessments; this will require working closely with the project engineering and grid packages.

EIA delivery

The Environment and Consents Manager will oversee elements of the onshore and offshore consenting process and be responsible for managing the delivery of EIAs (and HRAs where relevant) for the project. This will involve preparation of elements of the EIAs, and management of EIA consultants to ensure delivery of robust and timely EIAs (including undertaking of surveys to inform EIA).

Stakeholder engagement

The Environment and Consents Manager will advise the project on stakeholder engagement requirements. They will assist in planning and attending stakeholder meetings and consultation events and recording the outcomes of these.

Other / General

The Environment and Consents Manager will advise on and manage relevant elements of the consents budget, programme, contracts and risk register.

They will also assist in managing the procurement of and requirements for consenting related activities (e.g. project surveys, consultancy work).

The Environment and Consents Manager may also be required to:

-       Represent Arven / Mainstream on relevant industry forums such as the Scottish Renewables / RenewableUK Consents and Licensing Groups.

-       Engage in industry environmental research projects.

-       Manage Mainstream responses to relevant industry consultations e.g. changes to legislation.

-       Ensure the project team is aware of environmental risks and responsibilities, including compliance with consent conditions.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

-       A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a similar / relevant role, with specific experience of offshore wind development and consenting highly beneficial.

-       Knowledge of offshore wind project infrastructure and construction techniques.

-       Understanding of energy infrastructure consenting regimes.

-       Experience in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) delivery.

-       Computer literate, proficient in use of standard MS tools, such as MS Word and Excel.

-       Well organised and able to manage multiple work streams on a large project.

-       Strong interpersonal skills and experience of public consultations.

-       Experience in dealing with land owners.

Why you really should click that button:

We offer you the opportunity to work in a dynamic and entrepreneurial organisation, to be part of a diverse workplace with regards to gender, age and cultural background in the most exciting industry in the world today. You will receive a very competitive total benefits package including an excellent base salary, bonus scheme, and share options.

Career development

• Training opportunities
• Secondment and relocation opportunities
• Career progression

Shared financial success

• A competitive, industry benchmarked and cost-of-living linked salary, reviewed annually
• Annual bonus
• Share options

Work/life balance

• WFH in a hybrid working arrangement
• Allowance for WFH set up

True diversity & inclusion

• Equal opportunity targets
• GWEC Women in Wind and Mainstream Women in Renewables programmes
• You can be you, whatever your gender, colour or sexual orientation

Care for health & wellbeing

• Generous health insurance coverage and allowance where applicable

These are just some of the reasons why we are officially certified as a Great Place to Work.

Keywords

Renewable Energy