Senior Development Planning Advisor

The role

Are you a planning professional with strong technical expertise and a passion for shaping sustainable development?

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is seeking a Senior Planning Advisor to lead on complex, high-profile casework within our Development Planning Advice Service (DPAS). This is a unique opportunity to influence major development proposals across Wales—including infrastructure, housing, transport, and agriculture — ensuring environmental priorities are at the heart of decision-making.

In this role, you’ll provide expert advice to Planning Authorities, Welsh Government and applicants, drawing on topics such as conservation sites, European Protected Species, flood risk,  water quality, air quality, contaminated land, and landscape. You’ll collaborate with technical specialists across NRW to deliver robust, evidence-based guidance that supports sustainable outcomes. Your expertise will directly influence how development takes place in Wales – ensuring it aligns with national priorities for climate, biodiversity, and natural resource management.

We’re looking for someone with substantial experience in planning, environmental management or ecological consultancy. You’ll lead on complex and high profile cases, mentor colleagues, and contribute to shaping NRW’s strategy and guidance.

To succeed, you’ll need excellent communication and analytical skills, a collaborative mindset, and the ability to influence at a strategic level. Your work will contribute directly to improving the economic, social, environmental, and cultural well-being of Wales.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced planning professional to make a lasting impact and help grow a respected, forward-thinking environmental planning service.

As an organisation we support flexible working.  You will be contracted to the NRW office in Bangor 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 Bryn Jones at bryn.jones@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams between 3 - 10 December 2025

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.