Consents Manager

Consents Manager

The Project

HS2 has appointed Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall JV (FBJV) for contracts totaling almost 140 miles of track between London and the West Midlands. Ferrovial BAM will oversee the design and construction of the HS2 track infrastructure, manage construction logistics and support the testing and commissioning phase.

Location: Lot 3 Track North – Birmingham. Full office attendance

The Role

The Consents Manager will lead the identification, planning, coordination and delivery of all consents, permissions, approvals and third-party agreements required to support the works.

Initially, the role will focus on securing the consents needed for the development of temporary railheads, construction compounds, logistics hubs, access arrangements and associated infrastructure supporting track installation activities across Lot 3 North.

This is a hands-on role, particularly during the early stages of the programme. The successful candidate will prepare and manage consent submissions, coordinate technical inputs, engage with relevant authorities and stakeholders, and drive approvals through to completion. As the programme develops, the role will evolve into leading and managing a dedicated consents team.

Acting as the key interface for consent-related matters, the Consents Manager will work closely with project delivery teams, designers, HS2 Ltd, local authorities, regulators, statutory undertakers and third parties to ensure approvals are secured in line with programme and contractual requirements.

The role will support the project from design development through construction and handover, ensuring compliance with the HS2 Act, Environmental Minimum Requirements (EMRs), Schedule 17, Schedule 33, protective provisions and other applicable statutory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Consents Strategy & Delivery

• Develop and maintain the Consents Register and Consents Delivery Plan.
• Identify and manage the approvals, permits, licences and third-party agreements required for railheads, compounds, logistics facilities and track installation works.
• Develop consent submission programmes aligned with design and construction milestones.
• Monitor consent risks, dependencies and approval timelines, implementing mitigation measures to protect critical path activities.

HS2 & Regulatory Consents

• Prepare and manage Schedule 17 applications and associated planning submissions.
• Coordinate compliance with the Environmental Minimum Requirements (EMRs), Code of Construction Practice and relevant project commitments.
• Manage consent requirements associated with Schedule 33, protective provisions and Undertakings and Assurances (U&As).
• Coordinate technical information and supporting documentation required for submissions and approvals.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary point of contact for consent-related matters.
• Build effective working relationships with HS2 Ltd, Local Planning Authorities, Environmental Health Officers, the Environment Agency, highway authorities, statutory undertakers and other relevant stakeholders.
• Lead meetings, consultations and workshops to progress approvals and resolve consent-related issues.
• Coordinate project responses to stakeholder comments, conditions and approval requirements.

Design & Construction Interface

• Work closely with design, temporary works, environmental and construction teams to identify consent requirements early and ensure they are incorporated into project delivery.
• Review developing designs and construction methodologies to identify approval requirements, risks and dependencies.
• Ensure consent conditions and commitments are incorporated into work packages, methodologies and delivery plans.
• Provide consent input into constructability reviews, programme planning and construction readiness activities.

Governance, Compliance & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of submissions, approvals, conditions, commitments and outstanding actions.
• Report on consent status, risks, upcoming submissions, approval milestones and programme impacts.
• Monitor compliance with consent conditions and commitments throughout construction.
• Support project audits, inspections and assurance reviews.
• Provide assurance that works do not commence until the necessary approvals and permissions are in place.

Team Leadership

• Establish and develop the consents function as the programme grows.
• Lead and manage the consents team, setting clear responsibilities, priorities and delivery expectations.
• Provide guidance to project teams on consent requirements, processes and compliance obligations.

Key Skills and Experience

Proven experience delivering planning, environmental and/or construction consents on major infrastructure projects.

Strong understanding of the UK planning, consenting and regulatory environment.

Demonstrable hands-on experience preparing and progressing consent applications through to approval.

Experience working with local authorities, regulators, statutory undertakers and other third-party stakeholders.

Experience within rail, highways, utilities or major civil engineering projects.

Strong stakeholder management, communication and negotiation skills.

Ability to manage complex interfaces across design, environmental, construction and programme teams.

Strong planning, organisational and programme management skills, with the ability to manage multiple consent deadlines and dependencies.

Experience maintaining consents registers and monitoring approval milestones and conditions.

Good commercial and contractual awareness.

Ability to operate independently during the early stages of a project and build and lead a team as requirements develop.

Desirable Skills and Experience

Experience working on HS2 or other Hybrid Bill infrastructure projects.

Knowledge of Schedule 17, Schedule 33, Environmental Minimum Requirements and the Code of Construction Practice.

Experience managing Undertakings and Assurances.

Experience supporting the development of railheads, logistics facilities, compounds or other major construction enabling infrastructure.

Knowledge of environmental permitting, drainage and watercourse approvals.

Familiarity with GIS, BIM and digital project management systems.