Lead Planning Specialist

Lead Planning Specialist

Role ID: 203896

Directorate: Evidence, Policy and Permitting

Team: Planning, Landscape and Energy


Location: Flexible

Grade/Salary range: 7: £45,367 - £50,877

Working pattern: Full time

Contract type: Permanent

Closing date: 14/12/2025

The role

As a pivotal member of our Planning, Landscape and Energy Team, you'll take the lead in shaping and delivering impactful programmes that strengthen NRW's role within the planning system-including around Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and Significant Infrastructure Projects (SIPs). Your work will directly influence how environmental considerations are embedded into development decisions across Wales.

You'll be at the forefront of creating fresh, practical guidance and advice for NRW's operational teams, Welsh Government, developers, and planning authorities-ensuring that decisions are not only well-informed but also environmentally responsible.

Collaboration will be key. You'll work closely with colleagues across regulatory, advisory, and operational functions, while also building and managing strategic relationships with Welsh Government and other influential stakeholders. Together, you'll help shape a more sustainable future for Wales.

As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the nearest NRW office to your home and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face to face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

To make an informal enquiry about this role, please contact Adrian James at

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams

Successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) check. Appointments are normally made within 4 to 8 weeks of the closing date.

About us

Our Planning, Landscape and Energy Team sits within the Evidence Policy and Permitting Directorate of NRW. We are responsible for providing strategic direction for development planning, landscape, and energy to the wider organisation. Our role supports NRW's mission to support resilience to climate change and nature's recovery, as well as minimising pollution.

What you will do

• Lead and project manage specific and complex issues that require development of NRW policies, strategies, plans, programmes including support on casework that is novel, contentious or of high public interest.
• Lead the development of Guidance for NRW staff and for sectors/partners.
• Provide advice to WG and other bodies in Wales and the UK as appropriate, and in-turn review and advise on the produced policy, plans and strategies.
• Retain ownership and oversight of the land use planning area to ensure integrity of NRW approaches with Welsh Government and UK Government.
• Prepare compelling cases for change to NRW policy and role of alternative interventions.
• Advise on evidence needs and opportunities, commission evidence & project manage evidence projects, in line with the agreed evidence programme.
• Commission engagement plans and training to support roll out of outputs to NRW staff and partners/sectors.
• Commission monitoring and evaluation of interventions to inform assessment of the need for change in approach by NRW and/or WG.
• Maintain a detailed working knowledge of the assigned sector(s) identifying the implications of legislative, technology and market changes for Natural Resources Wales and the sector(s).
• Contribute to task and finish groups, commissioned through the Business Boards, to prepare defined products as required.
• Steer the overview and ownership of engagement with Welsh Government on the specific policy areas related to land use planning.
• Collaborate with the Team Leader to develop and deliver an agreed Personal Development Plan.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy , together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
• Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills

In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method .

1. Knowledge of Welsh, UK and EU legislation related to land use and spatial planning. Welsh, UK Government policy drivers and strategies relevant to land use and spatial planning and the issues and opportunities in Wales.
2. Knowledge and practical understanding of the range of partners and stakeholders involved with land use planning in Wales.
3. In-depth understanding of one or more of the following topics; land use planning including development plans and Development Management, spatial planning, environmental assessment (SEA, HRA and EIA) processes.
4. Working with Welsh Government, PEDW, PINS, Local Planning Authorities, professional bodies business and sectors.
5. Working in a programme and project management environment with Project Management experience and/or qualifications.
6. You will be a member of the RTPI or other environmental professional body and/ or working towards membership.
7. Representing the organisation in high profile and contentious issues in the public arena.
8. Share your knowledge and expertise to help solve problems, supporting all Heads of Business in EPP as required.

Welsh Language level requirements

Essential: Level A1 - Entry level

Welsh language levels

Please note if you do not meet the A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Benefits

This role will offer a range of benefits, including:

• Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
• 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
• generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
• commitment to professional development
• health and wellbeing benefits and support
• weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose

See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.

Please keep reading

We're passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
We are committed to equal opportunities, and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.

We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.

We are a Bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards . Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.