Senior Environmental Advisor

Job Description

United Infrastructure is a dynamic and rapidly expanding business focused on delivering critical infrastructure projects across the utility and social infrastructure sectors. Our team of highly skilled specialists delivers innovative solutions to our clients’ complex challenges.

Equal Opportunities Statement At United Infrastructure, we are committed to making every interaction a positive and inclusive experience. If there is anything we can do to support you, remove barriers, or make the process more accessible, please let us know – we want this to be the best possible experience for you.

Senior Environmental Advisor

Reporting To: Project HSSEQ Manager
Location: United Kingdom (Hybrid with regular travel to project sites and operational locations)
Direct Reports: Environmental Advisors, Graduate Environmental Advisors and Environmental Coordinators (where applicable)

Role Purpose

The Senior Environmental Advisor provides professional environmental support and guidance to operational teams, ensuring compliance with environmental legislation, client requirements and company standards across infrastructure, utilities, power transmission and distribution, telecommunications and construction projects. The role supports the delivery of environmental objectives, maintains ISO 14001 compliance, drives continual improvement initiatives and provides subject matter expertise on environmental risk management, sustainability, biodiversity and environmental compliance. The Senior Environmental Advisor acts as a trusted advisor to project teams, clients and stakeholders, helping to ensure environmental risks are effectively managed throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Environmental Compliance: Provide competent environmental advice and guidance to operational and project teams; ensure compliance with environmental legislation, permits, licences and client requirements; support compliance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Environment Act 2021, Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Water Resources Act 1991, Environmental Permitting Regulations, Waste Regulations and Duty of Care requirements, Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and Control of Pollution Act 1974; monitor environmental compliance performance across assigned projects; support investigations into environmental incidents, complaints and non conformances.
• Project Support: Support projects from tender through to completion; review and assist in the preparation of Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs), Environmental Risk Assessments, Method Statements, Waste Management Plans, Pollution Prevention Plans and Site Environmental Action Plans; attend project meetings and provide environmental guidance; support operational teams in implementing environmental controls.
• Environmental Assurance: Conduct environmental inspections, audits and assurance reviews; monitor environmental performance and compliance against company standards; verify implementation of environmental controls on site; identify opportunities for improvement and support corrective actions; produce environmental inspection and audit reports.
• Environmental Incident Management: Support the investigation of environmental incidents and near misses; undertake root cause analysis and develop corrective and preventative actions; track actions through to completion; identify trends and provide recommendations for improvement; support regulatory reporting requirements where necessary.
• Sustainability & Environmental Improvement: Support sustainability and environmental improvement programmes; assist with carbon reduction initiatives and Net Zero objectives; promote waste minimisation, resource efficiency and pollution prevention; support biodiversity enhancement and environmental stewardship initiatives; encourage adoption of environmental best practice across projects.
• Biodiversity & Ecology: Support compliance with ecological and biodiversity requirements; assist with Biodiversity Net Gain obligations where applicable; liaise with ecological consultants and specialist advisors; monitor implementation of ecological mitigation measures; support habitat protection and enhancement activities.
• Environmental Management Systems: Support maintenance of the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System; assist with internal and external audits; contribute to development of environmental procedures, standards and guidance; support legal compliance evaluations; ensure environmental records and documentation are maintained.
• Training & Engagement: Deliver environmental awareness briefings and toolbox talks; support environmental training programmes; coach and mentor Environmental Advisors and operational personnel; promote environmental best practice and shared learning; participate in environmental campaigns and initiatives.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Develop effective working relationships with clients, regulators, local authorities, environmental consultants and operational teams; attend client meetings and environmental reviews; support framework and tender submissions with environmental content.
• Key Accountabilities: Environmental compliance across allocated projects; delivery of environmental inspections and audits; effective implementation of environmental management plans; timely closure of environmental actions; environmental incident reduction; environmental performance reporting; support of sustainability and biodiversity objectives.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree, HND or equivalent qualification in Environmental Management, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Ecology, Geography or related discipline.
• IEMA Associate (AIEMA) or Practitioner (PIEMA) qualification.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable Qualifications

• PIEMA or MIEMA.
• ISO 14001 Internal or Lead Auditor qualification.
• Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) (or working towards).
• NEBOSH Environmental Management Certificate.
• Biodiversity Net Gain training.
• Carbon Management qualification.

Essential Experience

• Experience working within infrastructure, utilities, power, telecommunications, civil engineering or construction sectors.
• Experience providing environmental advice on operational projects.
• Knowledge of environmental legislation and compliance requirements.
• Experience undertaking environmental audits and inspections.
• Experience preparing environmental management documentation.
• Experience investigating environmental incidents and non conformances.

Desirable Experience

• Power Transmission and Distribution experience.
• National Grid, DNO or utility framework experience.
• Telecommunications infrastructure experience.
• Ecological and biodiversity management experience.
• Sustainability and ESG reporting experience.
• ISO 14001 management system experience.

Skills & Competencies

• Technical: strong understanding of UK environmental legislation, environmental auditing and assurance, environmental risk assessment, pollution prevention and waste management, sustainability and carbon reduction principles, environmental incident investigation.
• Leadership: influencing and coaching skills, ability to challenge unsafe or environmentally poor practices, mentoring and development of junior team members, stakeholder management.
• Personal: excellent communication skills, strong organisational skills, attention to detail, analytical and problem solving capability, ability to manage multiple priorities, self motivated and proactive approach.

Values & Behaviours

The Senior Environmental Advisor will demonstrate visible leadership, integrity, collaboration and accountability whilst supporting the organisation’s commitment to Zero Harm, environmental stewardship and sustainable infrastructure delivery.