Location
Central London with hybrid working arrangements; staff are expected to attend their associated office for 20% of their contractual hours.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£39,660 per annum

About the Role
Join Natural England in shaping a future where nature and people thrive. This role offers a rare opportunity to influence systematic change within the planning system and planning casework. As part of the Sustainable Development Portfolio, you will help shape legislative planning and policy reforms to be customer focused, digitally enabled, and sustainable, driving nature’s recovery at scale through the planning system.

The Nature Restoration Fund (NRF) accelerates development while introducing innovative mechanisms for targeted environmental protection. Through Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs), the NRF identifies strategic, landscape-scale conservation measures to ensure better outcomes for nature.

Key responsibilities include supporting the set up of Natural England as a ‘Delivery Body’ under the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, leading service, governance and target operating model development for the NRF, supporting digital contractors to meet operational and legislative requirements, and driving scalable, flexible NRF service delivery. You may also lead, motivate, mentor, and manage performance of team members within your workstream.

Natural England is the Government’s adviser for the natural environment and the Nature regulator, providing evidence, expertise, and advice to recover nature and create better places for people to live. Our strategy focuses on recovering nature, building better places, improving health and wellbeing, and delivering security through nature.

Experience
- Proven ability to prioritise work and handle situations independently, providing advice and guidance on shaping and designing work.
- Strong skills in establishing and maintaining internal and external working relationships and leading partnerships.
- Ability to quickly learn new areas and make informed decisions.
- Experience in understanding the ‘big picture’ to lead decision making.
- Desirable: experience working with contractors on digital systems development and end-to-end scheme design with continuous improvement focus.

About you
- Ambitious and motivated with excellent communication and organisational skills.
- Able to drive ‘big picture’ thinking and adapt to support programme delivery.
- Capable of leading, motivating, mentoring, and managing team members.
- Committed to supporting nature’s recovery and sustainable development through innovative planning solutions.

Qualifications
- Relevant professional experience and skills as outlined above.
- No specific formal qualifications stated, but a strong understanding of planning, environmental policy, and digital systems is advantageous.