Location
Cardiff, Natural Resources Wales office with a suitable hybrid working pattern agreed on 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 advice to Local Development Plans and sub-regional strategies, producing advice on nationally significant infrastructure projects and complex development proposals, attending appeals and inquiries, and contributing to NRW policy, process, and guidance development. You will also mentor colleagues, manage continuous improvement projects, and maintain auditable records to ensure legal and procedural compliance.

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

Experience
- Substantial experience and excellent knowledge of environmental assessment and development planning processes.
- Significant experience in 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 clearly 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 requirement: Essential Level A1 (entry level) – ability to understand basic phrases and pronounce Welsh names correctly. NRW provides support to meet this requirement during employment.

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.