Strategic Environmental, Consents and Biodiversity Officer

About the role

Create a lasting environmental legacy that benefits nature, communities and future generations.

The Great Grid Upgrade is one of the UK's largest infrastructure programmes, connecting more clean energy to homes and businesses and supporting the journey to net zero.

As we deliver nationally significant energy infrastructure across England and Wales, we have a unique opportunity to do more than build the network of the future. We can also leave a lasting environmental legacy.

We're looking for a Strategic Environmental, Consents & Biodiversity Officer to help shape and deliver our nature positive commitments across a portfolio of major infrastructure projects. This is an exciting opportunity for an environmental professional who is passionate about biodiversity, environmental policy and creating meaningful benefits for both nature and communities.

This role offers hybrid working, with flexibility to travel across England and Wales for team collaboration.

What you'll be doing

Working within National Grid's Strategic Consents & Performance Team, you'll play a key role in embedding Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), Net Benefit for Biodiversity (NBB) and wider environmental enhancement measures into our projects.

You'll:

• Support the development and delivery of our nature positive strategy across major infrastructure projects.
• Provide expert advice on biodiversity, consenting, planning and environmental policy requirements.
• Work closely with project, consenting and environmental teams to embed biodiversity and environmental benefits into project design and delivery.
• Develop guidance, training and supporting materials to drive consistency across the business.
• Help implement emerging environmental legislation, policy and regulatory requirements.
• Build and manage relationships with environmental organisations, regulators and other key external partners.
• Support business responses to government consultations and strategically important consenting workstreams.
• Monitor, record and report environmental outcomes and performance across projects.

What you'll bring

We're open to candidates from a range of backgrounds including infrastructure, utilities, environmental consultancy, local government, conservation, planning and sustainability.

You'll have:

• Experience working within environmental, biodiversity, planning or consenting disciplines.
• Strong knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain policy and delivery requirements.
• An understanding of environmental legislation, planning frameworks and consenting processes.
• Experience engaging and influencing a wide range of stakeholders.
• The ability to translate policy and strategy into practical, deliverable solutions.
• Excellent communication, organisational and relationship-building skills.

We'd be particularly interested if you have experience in:

• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and/or Net Benefit for Biodiversity (NBB).
• Natural capital and ecosystem services approaches.
• Environmental education, learning and skills initiatives.
• DCO, TCPA and Welsh consenting regimes.
• Environmental assessment and management.
• Habitat creation, land management or environmental stewardship.
• Professional membership or accreditation with organisations such as CIEEM, CIWEM, ISEP or RTPI would be advantageous.

Why join us?

This is more than an environmental role. It's an opportunity to influence how major infrastructure projects can deliver lasting benefits for nature, communities and future generations.

You'll join a collaborative team at the forefront of environmental innovation, helping shape policy, influence decision-making and create measurable environmental improvements across some of the UK's most important energy projects.

If you're passionate about biodiversity, sustainability and creating a positive legacy through infrastructure, we'd love to hear from you.

What you'll get

• A competitive salary between £48,000 - £55,000 – dependent on capability.
• Market supplement of £4,500 per annum.
• An annual performance bonus.
• 26 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).
• The option to buy additional or sell holiday days.
• Generous contributory pension scheme - we will double-match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.
• Financial support to help cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, course fees, books, exam fees and time off for study leave - so long as it's relevant to your role.
• Access to flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.
• Family care benefits including a back-up care service for when your usual care arrangements fall through (six paid days each year as standard with the option to purchase further days).
• Access to apps that support health, fitness and wellbeing.

About us

National Grid Strategic Infrastructure is a Business Unit created to propel our grid forward to deliver in 5 years, what has been achieved in the previous 30. By 2030 we aim to have 17 new major infrastructure projects live across England, Scotland and Wales.

Here at National Grid, we connect homes and businesses to power, making sure supply and demand match each other. We make sure the lights are on in schools, operating theatres, and sporting arenas; we’re thousands of people working on behalf of millions of people.

Our investment in Strategic Infrastructure via The Great Grid Upgrade will mean more home-grown power, greater energy security and a cleaner future.

Whatever your role, wherever you work with us, you’ll help us hit stretching targets and achieve our far-reaching goal: to secure, clean energy that supports our world far into the future. Here, you will be at the heart of energy.

More information

This role closes on 2 August 2026 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary. 

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We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates – we make appointments purely on merit, assessed against objective selection criteria. We support flexible working and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process should you have any physical or mental impairment which may affect your ability to participate in the process.

Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.