Principal Biodiversity Advisor

Job Description

Your new roleThese are exciting time for biodiversity in National Highways, we are investing in extensive work to reverse the decline in biodiversity and achieve enhancement right across our network. As Principal Biodiversity Advisor, you will lead on all of this. Workingat a national level, you will ensure that the company meets our biodiversity objectives and is well placed to meet forthcoming obligations under the Environment Bill.You will provide provide technical assurance and advice on biodiversity issues to the business, including major schemes, and general operations, and advise our Strategy and Planning directorate on the development of programmes of major investment for futureRIS periods.What youll be leading on

• Contributing to the leadership and management of the Environment Group, taking responsibility for the development and delivery of biodiversity related activities in line with the business plan and supporting the Group Manager and Divisional Director insetting overall strategy and direction.
• Leading and managing our relationship with Natural England and managing our relationships with wider biodiversity stakeholders.
• Managing the Habitats Regulations Assessment process within National Highways.
• Managing biodiversity advice at programme level. Allocating and prioritising internal and external resources to ensure that appropriate levels of support are provided across the business
• Ensuring biodiversity advice that is developed is disseminated and used effectively across all of National Highways business needs. Learning from project performance, both good and less successful, to enable better delivery of biodiversity outcomes.
• Providing biodiversity guidance and direction to a team of environmental advisors and supporting their development, and development of others, through sharing best practice and supporting professional development.
• Working with the lead for the environmental chapters of DMRB and other topic specialists to support the development of biodiversity standards and guidance leading to better environmental and biodiversity outcomes for the business.
• Acting as an agent of change to embed new ways of working within the environmental advisor team to support ongoing change programmes across National Highways.
• Lead on reporting the success of biodiversity work to DfT and Office for Rail and Road.

To be successful

• Full membership of a relevant professional institution IEEM, IEMA, or relevant qualifications and evidence of professional development.
• Deep, specialist knowledge of biodiversity and how it relates to all aspects of infrastructure planning, consenting, construction and operation/maintenance.
• Proven experience of developing solutions and providing specialist biodiversity advice in environmental impact assessment, appraisal or planning, involving complex issues and significant levels of risk.
• Experience of successfully building relationships within teams, both internal and external to achieve desired outcomes and mutual success
• Experience of management and development of specialists in a fast-paced and complex environment would be advantageous.

A bit about usSafety, Engineering and Standards (SES) is an exciting place to work. SES key priorities are to support world class operational delivery and technical advice for our road network, provide support services to lead, enable and innovate in the development of theStrategic Road Network and provide expert advice on matters relating to health and safety. If you are looking for a challenging, exhilarating and world class organisation then join one of our dedicated, professional teams leading on technical services, healthand safety, sustainability and diversity agendas for Highways England.Please note the application process requires a CV that is no longer that 3 pages to be submitted.Why you should join usAt National Highways we believe in a connected country. We are passionate about creating a culture where colleagues feel connected, included and enjoy greater wellbeing to achieve this. Were proud that as an organisation we are continually striving to do betterand actively encourage and support our colleagues to do the same with their careers.So if you put safety first, take ownership of your work, show passion for what you do, work effectively in a team, and demonstrate integrity in how you do it - then youll be a great fit for our organisation.