This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior stakeholder leadership role overseeing some of the most complex, high-profile infrastructure programmes currently in development in the UK.

The organisation is delivering a substantial capital investment portfolio, including several nationally significant schemes progressing through statutory planning and consent processes. These programmes attract intense public, political and regulatory scrutiny and require confident, credible leadership to navigate them successfully.

The role sits within a central corporate function but is embedded within programme delivery, operating at the heart of a complex matrix environment. You will be a trusted adviser to programme leadership, bringing clarity, judgement and authority to stakeholder, planning and reputational challenges as schemes move from early development through consent and beyond.

The role

You will own and lead the statutory stakeholder and engagement strategy across multiple major infrastructure programmes, including those progressing via Development Consent Order and Town & Country Planning routes.

This is a senior role with real accountability. You will shape engagement approaches from early options, through consultation, application, examination and determination, ensuring strategies stand up to scrutiny and support successful planning outcomes.

Alongside this, you will:

• Act as a senior strategic adviser to programme and executive leadership on stakeholder risk, political dynamics and reputational issues
• Provide assurance on engagement activity, evidence trails and governance during high-risk phases such as public consultation and examination
• Lead negotiations and relationships with regulators, statutory bodies, local authorities, political stakeholders and communities
• Anticipate emerging risks, sentiment and opposition, recommending mitigation strategies to protect programme momentum and reputation
• Set programme-wide standards and frameworks for stakeholder engagement and consultation

You will also lead and develop a high-performing team, building capability, setting clear expectations and fostering a culture of transparency, accountability and continuous improvement.

This role will appeal to someone who is already operating at a senior level and is motivated by complexity, scrutiny and impact.

You are likely to come from a background that combines elements of:

• Major infrastructure or capital programme delivery
• Statutory planning, consent or regulatory environments
• Public affairs, policy, stakeholder or communications leadership

First-hand experience of working through complex planning or consent processes and influencing outcomes in contested environments.

We are looking for someone who brings:

• Proven experience leading stakeholder and engagement strategy for large, complex infrastructure programmes
• Deep understanding of statutory consultation, planning and examination environments, including DCO or equivalent processes
• Credibility and confidence operating with senior leaders, regulators, politicians and external partners
• Experience advising programme boards or executive teams on stakeholder risk and reputational management
• Strong leadership capability, with a track record of building and leading high-performing teams in matrix organisations
• An enterprise mindset, able to balance programme delivery, public interest, and long-term organisational reputation

Experience that spans both stakeholder engagement and public affairs or policy is particularly attractive.