Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
£45,367 per annum

About the Role
Join the Planning, Landscape and Energy Team within the Evidence Policy and Permitting Directorate at Natural Resources Wales (NRW). This role provides strategic direction for development planning, landscape, and energy across the organisation, supporting NRW’s mission to enhance resilience to climate change, promote nature’s recovery, and minimise pollution.

As Lead Planning Specialist, you will lead and project manage complex issues requiring development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, and programmes. You will provide expert guidance on novel, contentious, or high public interest casework and develop guidance for NRW staff and external sectors/partners.

Your responsibilities include advising Welsh Government and other bodies in Wales and the UK, maintaining oversight of land use planning to ensure alignment with Welsh and UK Government approaches, and preparing compelling cases for policy change. You will advise on evidence needs, commission and manage evidence projects, and oversee engagement plans and training to support implementation.

Additionally, you will commission monitoring and evaluation of interventions to inform future approaches, maintain detailed sector knowledge, contribute to task and finish groups, and lead engagement with Welsh Government on land use planning policies. You will collaborate with the Team Leader to deliver a Personal Development Plan and undertake health and safety duties appropriate to the role.

NRW is committed to equal opportunities and diversity, and this role supports those values within its responsibilities. You will also be encouraged to engage in your own professional development through NRW’s personal development planning process.

Experience
- Knowledge of Welsh, UK, and EU legislation related to land use and spatial planning.
- Understanding of Welsh and UK Government policy drivers and strategies relevant to land use and spatial planning in Wales.
- Practical knowledge of partners and stakeholders involved in land use planning in Wales.
- In-depth expertise in one or more of the following: land use planning including development plans and Development Management, spatial planning, environmental assessment processes (SEA, HRA, EIA).
- Experience working with Welsh Government, PEDW, PINS, Local Planning Authorities, professional bodies, businesses, and sectors.
- Experience in programme and project management, with relevant qualifications or demonstrable experience.
- Proven ability to represent an organisation in high-profile and contentious public issues.

About you
- Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) or other environmental professional body, or working towards membership.
- Strong communication skills to share knowledge and support problem-solving across teams.
- Commitment to equal opportunities, diversity, and personal development.

Qualifications
- Membership or working towards membership of a relevant professional body such as RTPI.
- Welsh language skills: Essential Level A1 (entry level) - ability to understand basic phrases and pronounce Welsh names correctly. NRW offers support and learning opportunities to meet this requirement during employment.