About the Role
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 roleYou 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 issuesProvide assurance on engagement activity, evidence trails and governance during high-risk phases such as public consultation and examinationLead negotiations and relationships with regulators, statutory bodies, local authorities, political stakeholders and communitiesAnticipate emerging risks, sentiment and opposition, recommending mitigation strategies to protect programme momentum and reputationSet programme-wide standards and frameworks for stakeholder engagement and consultationYou 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 deliveryStatutory planning, consent or regulatory environmentsPublic affairs, policy, stakeholder or communications leadershipFirst-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 programmesDeep understanding of statutory consultation, planning and examination environments, including DCO or equivalent processesCredibility and confidence operating with senior leaders, regulators, politicians and external partnersExperience advising programme boards or executive teams on stakeholder risk and reputational managementStrong leadership capability, with a track record of building and leading high-performing teams in matrix organisationsAn enterprise mindset, able to balance programme delivery, public interest, and long-term organisational reputationExperience that spans both stakeholder engagement and public affairs or policy is particularly attractive.