The Role
The Corry Review recommended the implementation of an approach called 'Lead Environmental Regulator' to streamline the regulatory service offered to major infrastructure projects by Defra Group Arms- Length Bodies (ALBs) - Natural England, Environment Agency, Marine Management Organisation and Forestry Commission.
This approach, a Secretary of State reform priority, is being initially piloted with a small number of projects. In summary, it involves establishing a robust approach to project managing the interactions with the developer across the relevant Defra Group ALBs, seeking to avoid unnecessary delay and improve the customer experience. An Operating Model and evaluation methodology have been established in partnership with the cross-Defra Project Board.
As a Strategic Lead for the Lead Environmental Regulator pilots, you will provide
strategic oversight, leadership, and direction
for one of Natural England's most high profile and influential reform initiatives. You will be accountable for shaping how Natural England and the wider Defra Group engage with major national infrastructure projects, helping to embed a collaborative, consistent and customer-focused regulatory service. You will be accountable for shaping how Natural England and the wider Defra Group engage with major national infrastructure projects, helping to embed the LER approach.
This role requires a leader who can combine
strategic thinking, system-wide influence and programme leadership
, while representing Natural England at senior level with developers, regulators, and government partners with
influence and programme leadership.
This is a high-profile work area, offering a fantastic opportunity to trial and shape the way that we work with some of the most significant development projects in our country.
The role will be based in the Major Planning Casework Team (MPCT) in National Delivery. This multi-disciplinary team works on significant, large-scale, complex casework and strategic programmes, providing expert support and technical leadership to area teams and coordinating major infrastructure programmes. Its current portfolio of projects includes High Speed 2 (HS2), Sizewell C, East West Rail and RAPID and other High Risk/High Opportunity casework.
Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities
Leadership & Coordination
* Work closely with the Defra Lead Environmental Regulator (LER) team and ALBs to deliver current LER pilots.
* Serve as Natural England's primary point of contact for the Defra LER team.
* Develop and maintain Natural England's future pipeline of suitable projects for LER implementation.
Stakeholder Engagement
* Engage proactively with developers to identify opportunities for applying the LER model and to resolve emerging issues.
* Champion the LER approach internally, promoting awareness, understanding, and adoption across the organisation.
Integration & Reform Delivery
* Ensure the LER model is embedded into Natural England's Sustainable Development (SD) critical reforms, including innovation and risk related activities.
* Support culture change by ensuring lessons learned on innovation and risk influence Natural England's risk appetite statements and related programmes.
Organisational Implementation
* Oversee the effective rollout of the LER approach across Natural England's 12 area teams.
* Work collaboratively with colleagues to identify and address barriers to adoption and ensure consistency in practice nationwide.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
* Highly organised, with strong analytical skills with a proven track record of delivering complex work projects and/ or programmes to deadlines managing risks and dependencies, benefits realisation, resources & budget.
* Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to functionally lead a multi-disciplinary and dispersed project team to deliver programme outcomes.
* Strong stakeholder management and relationship building skills.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills - able to communicate complex concepts and analysis in a simple, straightforward, and honest way.
* Confidence in engaging with senior leaders, regulators, and external partners and excellent track record of partnership working, especially with other Government departments.
* Knowledge of environmental regulation and the Defra Group landscape.
* Experience working with developers, infrastructure projects, or major project delivery.
What You'll Bring
* A proactive, solution-focused mindset.
* Commitment to improving environmental outcomes while streamlining regulatory processes.
* Ability to work flexibly, think strategically, and influence others.
* Enthusiasm for shaping.
Competencies
Technical Skills & Knowledge
* Relevant degree e.g. marine/planning/environmental assessment or equivalent level of applied experience (Essential).
* Understanding of Natural England's statutory remit and our role in planning, licensing and protected and landscapes (Essential).
* Experience of risk identification and management and working with senior leaders to achieve natural environment outcomes (Essential).
* Experience of managing relationships with external partners and internal multi-disciplinary teams (Essential).
* Functional management experience (Desirable).
Creating Resilient Landscapes and Seas
* Identify and apply relevant planning and environmental legislation, policies and processes to deliver effective and proportionate evidence-based solutions and advice (Expert).
* Identify appropriate solutions for avoidance, mitigation, compensation of environmental impacts and meeting shared outcomes; and identify opportunities for enhancing the natural environment (Expert).
Personal Effectiveness
* Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience (Expert).
* Make and explain objective decisions which combine your professional judgement and evidence (Expert).
* Share expertise and knowledge with people and networks so that you can develop together (Expert).
Putting People at the Heart of the Environment
* Nurture trusting partnerships and collaborate to achieve pragmatic outcomes that help deliver Natural England's vision, mission and aims (Expert).
* Listen to and understand our diverse partners and customers so that you achieve the best outcomes for them and Natural England (Expert).
Work Delivery
* Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines (Expert).
Pay
Natural England are yet to finalise the details of the 2025 Pay Review. This will be backdated to July 2025, and this could involve a review of our current terms and conditions alongside increases to the advertised pay ranges. If there are any changes to what has been advertised the vacancy manager will be able to provide further details ahead of any offers being accepted.
Join us in shaping a future where nature and people thrive. Whether you're drawn to hands-on conservation or playing a vital part behind the scenes, your work at Natural England will support lasting benefits for the environment and society.