Location
Bangor, Natural Resources Wales office with a suitable hybrid working pattern to be agreed upon appointment.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£41,132 per annum

About the Role
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is seeking a Senior Development Planning Advisor to lead on complex, high-profile casework within the Development Planning Advice Service (DPAS). This is a unique opportunity to influence major development proposals across Wales—including infrastructure, housing, transport, and agriculture—ensuring environmental priorities are central to decision-making. You will provide expert advice to Planning Authorities, Welsh Government, and applicants on topics such as conservation sites, European Protected Species, flood risk, water quality, air quality, contaminated land, and landscape. Collaborating with technical specialists across NRW, you will deliver robust, evidence-based guidance that supports sustainable outcomes aligned with national priorities for climate, biodiversity, and natural resource management.

Key responsibilities include overseeing and assuring advice on Local Development Plans and sub-regional strategies, producing advice for nationally significant infrastructure projects and complex development proposals, contributing professional judgement to strategic and complex cases, attending appeals and inquiries, and providing operational input to NRW policy, process, and guidance. You will also develop and maintain effective customer relationships, influence local development projects early, mentor and technically develop team members, manage continuous improvement projects, and ensure compliance with legal and procedural requirements.

This role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of Wales while working within a supportive and flexible environment that values professional development and diversity.

Experience
- Substantial experience and excellent knowledge of environmental assessment and development planning processes.
- Significant experience within the development sector.
- Experience in community liaison and public engagement related to major projects.
- Proven ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with senior stakeholders.
- Experience managing projects and leading virtual task groups.
- Ability to analyse complex information, solve problems, and make sound judgements.
- Experience coaching and mentoring colleagues.

About you
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills, able to represent technical and strategic aspects of development planning to non-specialists.
- Collaborative mindset with strong self-management and organisational skills.
- Ability to influence at a strategic level.
- Commitment to equal opportunities and diversity.
- Welsh language skills: Essential level B2 (Upper intermediate), desirable level C2 (Higher proficiency).

Qualifications
- Relevant professional qualifications or equivalent experience in planning, environmental management, or ecological consultancy.
- Commitment to personal development through effective use of personal development plans.

Additional Information
- Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
- The role supports flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
- Commitment to Natural Resources Wales’ Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy.