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
Are you a planning professional with strong technical expertise and a passion for shaping sustainable development? Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is seeking a Senior Development Planning Advisor to lead on complex, high-profile casework within our 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.

In this role, you will provide expert advice to Planning Authorities, Welsh Government, and applicants on matters such as conservation sites, European Protected Species, flood risk, water quality, air quality, contaminated land, and landscape. You will collaborate with technical specialists across NRW to deliver robust, evidence-based guidance that supports sustainable outcomes.

Your expertise will directly influence how development takes place in Wales, aligning with national priorities for climate, biodiversity, and natural resource management. You will lead on complex and high-profile cases, mentor colleagues, and contribute to shaping NRW’s strategy and guidance.

Key responsibilities include overseeing advice on Local Development Plans and sub-regional strategies, producing advice for nationally significant infrastructure projects, attending appeals and inquiries, contributing to NRW policy and guidance development, managing continuous improvement projects, and maintaining auditable records to ensure legal and procedural compliance.

NRW supports flexible working and offers a collaborative and forward-thinking environment where your work will contribute to improving the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of Wales.

Experience
- Excellent knowledge and substantial experience of environmental assessment and development planning processes.
- Significant experience of the development sector.
- Experience of community liaison and public engagement activities related to major projects.
- Proven ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with senior stakeholders.
- Experience managing projects and leading virtual task groups.
- Ability to coach and mentor colleagues effectively.

About you
- Excellent written and spoken communication skills, able to represent technical and strategic aspects of development planning to non-specialists.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to solve complex problems and make sound judgements.
- Collaborative mindset with strong self-management and organisational skills.
- Committed to equal opportunities and diversity.
- Welsh Language: 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
- Substantial professional experience in planning, environmental management, or ecological consultancy.
- Commitment to personal development through effective use of personal development plans.