DCO Development Director

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The DCO Development Director role is critical to ensuring that Heathrow secures all the necessary planning consents required to deliver the Expanding Heathrow and Modernising Heathrow schemes in a timely, cost-effective manner. The role leads the strategic development, coordination, and submission of the Development Consent Order (DCO) for the Expanding Heathrow Programme.

This key role is accountable for ensuring the DCO application is comprehensive, legally robust, and aligned with Heathrow's strategic, environmental, and stakeholder commitments. The DCO Development Director will oversee all critical activity required to secure consent for the programme under the Planning Act 2008.

Develop and lead the DCO strategy, ensuring alignment with programme objectives, statutory requirements, and stakeholder expectations.
Develop a 'best in class' consultation strategy to ensure that the community and other key stakeholders have the chance to participate in the DCO process and their views are taken into account.

Develop & implement strategies to ensure Heathrow engages proactively with all key statutory & non-statutory stakeholders, including the Planning Inspectorate. Strategic oversight of surface access modelling activities that feed into the environmental impact assessment. Ensure all planning and environmental documentation meets the standards required by the Planning Inspectorate and relevant statutory bodies.

Lead the statutory and non-statutory consultation strategy and delivery, ensuring meaningful engagement with communities, stakeholders, and interest groups. Ensure consultation feedback is appropriately considered and integrated into the DCO submission. Ensure the programme DCO team builds and maintains strong relations with key external agencies and authorities.

Manage legal advisors and ensure all aspects of the DCO process comply with the Planning Act 2008 and associated regulations. Oversee the preparation of legal documents including draft DCO, Statement of Reasons, Book of Reference, and Land Plans. Ensuring an effective planning approvals process in in place for all HAL developments (inc. DCOs, planning applications, consultations and advertisements) to support the delivery of consents, and strategies, obligations and legal agreements for achieving those consents.

Timely submission of a complete and robust DCO application. Successful completion of statutory and non-statutory consultations. Positive feedback and engagement metrics from stakeholders and consultees. Planning Inspectorate acceptance of the DCO application. Compliance with statutory DCO timelines and legal requirements.

• Extensive experience leading DCO processes for major infrastructure projects under the Planning Act 2008.
• Strong, applied understanding of UK planning law, environmental regulation, and infrastructure consenting.
• It is critical that the role holder has an excellent track record in influencing and managing complex stakeholder environments.
• Experience of leading a team of experts at varying levels of seniority, developing each individual to deliver their best.
• Must be an exceptional written and verbal communicator and advocate for the programme with strong strategic planning skills, inspiring their team to deliver under high pressure.
• Must be able to rapidly synthesise the many complexities of the planning process, scheme development, and Heathrow's business so that this knowledge can be applied effectively to the issues, tasks and decisions in hand.
• Must be able to identify key strategic risks and implement effective strategies to mitigate these risks cross-functionally.
• Authoritative and convincing leadership style which conveys credibility and inspires confidence whilst influencing challenging stakeholders towards desired outcomes.
• Extensive experience in infrastructure sectors, with a strong background in policy, legal, or strategic roles.

• Proven expertise in aviation, transport, and nationally significant infrastructure projects
• Familiarity with Heathrow's regulatory and planning context
• Town & country planning and Environmental Impact Assessment experience preferred

There's something so special about working at the world's most iconic airport. Its sights. Its sounds. Its constant air of excitement. Heathrow is an amazing backdrop to a career filled with unique opportunities.

Every day, you'll discover a world full of fresh possibilities and end the day buzzing with stories to tell, as you encounter people from all cultures, nationalities and experiences. A world full of pride for what we do and no end of exciting career prospects to explore.

It brings out the best in all of us. And inspires everyone to deliver…