The role
As Lead Specialist you will regulate some of the most complex and highest risk industrial installations in the following sectors: chemicals, food and drink, metals, power generation, paper and textiles, cement and minerals, landfill and waste treatment. You may be involved in Control of Major Accidents and Hazards delivery and the regulation of activities that use radioactive substances.
We’re looking for a motivated and knowledgeable Industry and Waste Regulation Lead Specialist to join our Industry Regulation team – a highly skilled group responsible for regulating some of the most complex and high-risk industrial installations in Wales.
You’ll have the chance to lead and influence across a diverse range of industrial sectors, contributing to NRW’s mission of environmental protection, climate resilience, and natural resource sustainability. From advising on regulatory strategy and mentoring colleagues, to engaging with industry leaders and responding to incidents, this is a role for someone who thrives in a dynamic, high-impact environment.
As a senior technical expert, you’ll:
- Shape regulatory strategies and provide national leadership on key industry sectors.
- Act as a mentor and advisor to colleagues across the country.
- Represent NRW at UK-wide sector groups, influencing regulation at a strategic level.
- Engage directly with operators, stakeholders, and the public on complex and sometimes contentious environmental issues.
- Carry out site visits, compliance assessments, and incident response work.
This role is as varied as it is rewarding – offering the opportunity to make a real difference while developing your expertise in one of Wales' most critical regulatory areas. A full UK driving licence is essential. While not essential, holding a professional membership is considered advantageous. If you're passionate about environmental protection, confident in navigating complex industrial challenges, and want to be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking organisation – we’d love to hear from you.
As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to the NRW office at the above location 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 the role, please contact Philip Harper at philip.harper@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk.
Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams week commencing the 10th November 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.
What you will do
- Act as the NRW expert national technical lead for specific sectors or technical issues.
- Act as technical mentor and advisor to team members.
- Participate in the development of team work plans and deliver any agreed actions to contribute to business planning and delivery.
- Work with Operators to develop medium-term regulatory strategies for the installations, including engagement with senior managers and executives within companies, to deliver multiple benefits.
- Routinely lead our response to large or contentious cases/issues and act as an account manager for key stakeholders.
- Contribute to sector working and cross-agency sector groups as required to aid adoption of consistent regulatory approaches and the dissemination of good practices to the benefit of the environment. Where appropriate act as NRW lead for specific technical sectors.
- Be required to participate in technical/ strategic groups or represent NRW on external forums e.g. UK regulators’ sector groups. These types of groups will agree sector specific regulatory strategy at a Wales, UK or European level.
- Develop cross-directorate working relationships thereby contributing towards development of any relevant WG industry related policies.
- Work with the Permitting Team to assist the ongoing permit review process in response to BREF updates and publication of BAT Conclusions.
- Interact with other regulatory specialists in NRW to promote consistent regulatory practices.
- Support EPP advisors at operational level.
- Assess compliance at installations, COMAH sites, waste sites and sites handling radioactive substances.
- Respond to incidents and complaints.
- Contribute to a positive health, safety and well-being culture. Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post
- Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post
- Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post
- Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
- Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
- Required to take part in incident response activities
Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills
In your application and interview you will be asked to demonstrate the following skills and experience using the STAR method.
- Experience of working across a wide range of relevant industrial sectors.
- Coaching and mentoring skills.
- Experience of managing contentious issues and community liaison and public engagement activities.
- Good understanding of commercial business processes and pressures.
- Ability to communicate effectively with regulated business and the public, explaining complex issues and gaining support by influencing.
- Extensive knowledge and experience of regulatory and enforcement processes and incident management.
- A full UK driving licence is essential
Welsh Language Level requirements:
- Essential: A1 – Entry level
Welsh language levels
Please note if you do not meet the level A1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.
Benefits
This role will offer a range of benefits, including:
- Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 28.97% (successful internal staff will remain in their current pension scheme)
- 28 days annual leave, rising to 33 days
- generous leave entitlements for all your life needs
- commitment to professional development
- health and wellbeing benefits and support
- weekly wellbeing hour to use as you choose
See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.
Please keep reading
We’re passionate about creating a diverse workforce and positively encourage applications from under-represented communities. We embrace equality of opportunity irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
We are committed to equal opportunities and we guarantee interviews for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
We want to attract and retain talented and highly skilled staff, so we make sure that our pay scales remain competitive. We advertise the full pay scale on our job descriptions. Appointed candidates start at the first point of the pay scale and annual increments are paid each year.
We want our staff to grow professionally and personally. From leadership development to access to further and higher education courses, our staff have opportunities to expand their knowledge on variety of topics, stay current in their field and continue to learn as their career progresses.
We are a bilingual organisation which complies with the Welsh Language Standards. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to NRW and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills.
You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally. Applications are welcome from individuals who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time.
