Principal Consultant: Marine Mammals

Purpose / Scope of Role

GoBe Consultants Ltd, part of the APEM Group, is a market leading environmental and planning consultancy specialising in the provision of high quality advice to companies with a particular focus on the offshore wind development sector, as well as wider marine projects. GoBe has advised on over 40 offshore wind projects representing over 30GW of capacity, both in UK and non-UK waters. GoBe’s work spans the full range of project phases — from site selection/feasibility, through the EIA and consenting process, and for NSIPs during examination, and during the post-consent, project execution phase.

GoBe is exceptionally well positioned in the offshore wind farm sector, with an existing and developing workload of ongoing offshore wind projects. GoBe also has an exciting and growing diverse portfolio of projects in other marine sectors such as tidal energy, interconnectors and port development. This opportunity will allow the successful candidate to use their experience of marine mammals in a rapidly expanding area, as the UK and the world move to renewable energy.

As Principal Marine Mammal Consultant, the successful candidate will work as part of GoBe’s Marine Mammal team, contributing to EIA and HRA, and the development of mitigation measures in relation to some of the largest and most exciting development projects in the UK energy sector. The role includes managing and contributing to the assessment process for consent applications for multi-billion-pound infrastructure projects. GoBe is seeking candidates with relevant experience of marine impact assessment and related technical studies. The ideal candidate would also demonstrate experience with stakeholder and client engagement, technical review of deliverables and provision of strategic advice.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

As Principal Consultant, the successful candidate will be a trusted advisor for clients and stakeholders seeking marine mammal advice for projects, as well as a mentor and guide for junior staff across the sector and related teams. Leading on more complex projects, they will work closely with other team leads to drive forward strategic conversations, influencing and shaping current work streams, building the commercial offering and expanding the customer base across the UK, Europe and worldwide, as well as the products and services offered to help shape the future project portfolio. The successful candidate will be a confident project manager/experienced advisor, building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, and working collaboratively as part of a dynamic team to promote innovation and continuous improvement in the company.

Key Responsibilities

• To lead and deliver marine mammal related workstreams for major projects, including pre-application advice, consent application, site prospecting, assessment input into the EIA and HRA process for offshore wind developments, MMMPs, EPS licences and post-consent monitoring.
• To lead and mentor a team of consultants to produce timely, accurate, robust, and high-quality products and services, within budget and timescales agreed with the client.
• To be responsible for the technical outputs of the Marine Mammal Team, reviewing and signing off reports, providing constructive feedback and coaching where required.
• To support all aspects of tender preparation, including writing proposals, programmes, and scope, and coordinating and reviewing tender proposals prepared by internal teams or external organisations.
• Project management of varied-scale projects with multidisciplinary teams based remotely, in various locations (including resource, timelines and budget).
• Client management and successfully developing, maintaining, and managing internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• To attend and present at appropriate technical and business development events, including networking events and conferences.
• Business development, including maintaining and extending relationships with existing clients as well as securing and managing new work.
• To undertake line management of individuals in the marine mammal team.
• To oversee resource planning for the team and input to the team’s strategy.
• To carry out any additional activities that may be reasonably required or requested.
• To take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others; make use of the tools, equipment, training, and resources; and actively engage with colleagues at all levels to contribute to the continuous improvement of health and safety management.

Skills / Knowledge / Experience / Qualifications

Essential

• A degree (preferably MSc), in a marine focussed environmental or ecological subject.
• Excellent written and oral communication, organisational and time management skills.
• Experience of EIAs and HRAs for large marine infrastructure projects, or experience evaluating EIAs on behalf of a competent authority or consultee.
• Excellent working knowledge of marine mammal impact assessment, including underwater noise impacts and mitigation and monitoring methods.
• Working knowledge of UK and Ireland legislation with regards to marine mammals.
• Experience working with and developing relationships with regulators and stakeholders.
• Ability to provide technical advice and presentations to clients and colleagues as required.
• Project management experience delivering projects within budget and to a high standard.
• Strong inter-personal skills and the ability to communicate at all levels.

Desirable

• Established track record of experience in a fast-paced environmental consultancy.
• Experience of working within the planning process, ideally in England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland.
• Team/line management, budget control and resource allocation experience.
• Professional accreditation.
• A passion for renewable energy and reducing the impact they have on the environment and habitats they operate in, specifically to marine mammals.
• International experience on marine mammal project work/regulation/policy.
• Project delivery in the renewables sector.
• MMO and PAM qualification.
• PAM software/data handling and interpretation.
• Experience using and applying models, such as PBR/iPCOD/DEPONS/Collision Risk Modelling.

Our Values

GoBe’s most important assets are the people who work for the firm. The company works as one team and relies on each other, wishing to create a working environment to which its people are proud to belong, by maintaining its values at the forefront of everything it does. These values are: Integrity – doing the right thing; Quality – quality in everything; People – caring; Forward thinking – focusing on the future; Positivity – believing it can be done; and Fairness – championing equality.

Our WOW Factor

When home became work, GoBe learned that flexibility, understanding, and balance allowed everyone to move forward and grow together. So, no matter where a person is based, the hours they keep, the toddlers they have to entertain, or the outside interests that help with their wellbeing, GoBe is committed to its Ways of Working (WOW) with each other, so the team can continue to be its best.

You Belong

GoBe recognises that everyone’s story is different. The opportunities, experiences and challenges faced in life shape who we are, and GoBe understands that these are the things that make people individual and unique. Embracing differences means the team is able to approach what it does from every angle. Inspiration and insight can come from anywhere, and no matter a person’s history or choices in life, GoBe empowers its people to be their best, so the company can be its best, together. GoBe welcomes the whole person.

How to Apply

More information and application: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/are-you-ready-to-move-beyond-project-delivery-share-7486353228947755008-pTYT/