Principal/Associate Director EIA Consultant

Binnies is looking for an experienced Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) professional to lead environmental inputs across a diverse and growing project portfolio. You'll play a key role in shaping the environmental strategy for projects ranging from nationally significant infrastructure to local river restoration schemes. Our work spans flood, coastal and maritime projects, ports, water utilities, transport, and renewable energy.

Our team is currently delivering two of the UK's most significant water infrastructure projects: the White Horse Reservoir (formerly South East Strategic Reservoir Option SESRO) and the Thames to Southern Transfer (T2ST) – both nationally significant developments progressing through the Development Consent Order (DCO) process. Together, these projects form essential components of a major strategic water resource system for the south east, helping to secure long‑term water resilience for millions of people.

This is an opportunity to be part of a multi‑disciplinary team shaping critical infrastructure that will have lasting regional and environmental impact.

The role can be full time or hybrid in our main Binnies offices (e.g. Chester, Redhill, Swansea, Birmingham, Bradford on Avon) or we can offer remote working. The role will be primarily technical but will involve some line management and mentoring.

We are a friendly team who pride ourselves on being at the forefront of environmental best practice and innovation, including digital EIA. Our environmental professionals are empowered to work closely with our multi‑disciplinary teams and shape projects to deliver smarter and more sustainable solutions.

For instance Binnies includes Solutions By Nature; with a specific focus on delivering nature‑based solutions via blue‑green infrastructure to the water industry.

Binnies holds the IEMA EIA Quality Mark, which is a benchmark of our high standards in EIA delivery.

About the Role

The role will include:

• Managing all stages of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) including SEA and the range of other environmental assessments and consents such as HRA, DCO and planning.
• Provide the reviewer and approver role for environmental deliverables; driving technical quality.
• Supporting tenders.
• Providing line management and a mentoring role to members of the environmental team.
• Supporting recruitment.

Qualifications

The candidate should possess and be able to demonstrate the following qualifications, skills and knowledge:

• An environmental related degree, Chartered with a relevant professional institute.
• A thorough understanding of EIA, sustainability and consenting (DCOs, planning, HRA, etc.).
• Excellent written and oral communication.
• Excellent people skills and previous management/supervisory experience.
• Understanding of commercial drivers of consultancy and ability to manage and work to programme and budget.
• Experience in client facing roles and development of client relationships.
• Hold a full UK driving licence.
• Previous consultancy experience.
• Experience of construction stage delivery would be an advantage but not essential.

We would welcome applicants of Principal Level and above and we can flex salary based on grade and experience. Start date is flexible.