At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with landowners and manage land access for major infrastructure projects.
- Company: Join WSP, a leader in strategic infrastructure across the UK and Ireland.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a focus on innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on vital projects while building strong relationships.
- Qualifications: Degree in Geography, Land Management, or related field; experience in land access preferred.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
We are looking for talented land professionals to join the senior agricultural liaison team. In this role you will be responsible for delivering land referencing, land acquisition, land access and stakeholder engagement across major strategic infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland.
Responsibilities
- Provide expertise and support on agricultural and land management to facilitate access, way leaving and possession of land.
- Advise on agricultural tenancies.
- Secure land rights for high profile, strategic infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland.
- Utilise statutory powers and other available mechanisms to acquire land (Vesting Order, CPO) on behalf of WSP clients within the electricity sector, but also highway, rail, water, telecoms, gas and renewable energy sectors.
- Negotiate commercial terms, option agreements and other land related agreements.
- Work closely with the Land team and collaborate with engineering, environmental and planning teams.
- Organise and attend site visit meetings with landowners, their agents, legal teams and other stakeholders and provide meeting records for upload to a landowner and stakeholder communications database.
- Maintain regular communication with landowners and their agents to build positive working relationships for the successful delivery of projects.
- Liaise with landowners, land agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients.
- Resolve landowner disputes.
- Attend weekly/monthly project meetings and provide updates to project stakeholders.
- Report progress to clients regularly ensuring client satisfaction and expectations are met.
- Prepare and check consenting documentation.
- Experience working on infrastructure, utilities or energy projects (preferred).
- Skilled in stakeholder engagement, building trust and maintaining positive relationships.
- Ensure that WSP H&S procedures are adhered to for all site work.
- Knowledge of land access permissions, s172 licences and site safety experience (preferred).
- Preparation and quality assurance of technical documents relating to the identification of land interests and rights, negotiation of access to land for surveys, consents and acquisition of land rights.
- Negotiate Heads of Terms to secure land for projects.
- Advise clients on compliance with statutory and industry best practice.
- Support the sharing of knowledge and lessons across regions and projects.
- Lead on quality assurance of deliverables and promote innovation within the team to improve working practices.
- Contribute to business development and client relationship management.
Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent experience in Geography, Land/Estate Management, Agriculture or a relevant discipline.
- Experience delivering land referencing, land access, landowner engagement services and statutory processes on major infrastructure projects.
- Experience negotiating with landowners and knowledge of the legal process for the acquisition of wayleaves/easements/servitudes (desirable).
- Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations across the UK and/or Ireland.
- Demonstrable experience of reducing land risk for clients and advising them on land related matters throughout all stages of a project lifecycle.
- Ability to communicate effectively with strong influencing and negotiating skills.
- Strong landowner and public engagement skills.
- Knowledge of the urban and/or rural environment and farming practices would be highly desirable.
- Chartership or membership of a professional body would be advantageous.
- The ability to travel effectively to various sites and remote locations is a necessary function of this role.
Location
As part of WSP Land you will be based in one of our many offices across the UK and Ireland, including Dublin, Naas, Belfast and other locations. The role offers flexibility with hybrid working between one of these offices and from home. We offer flexible working patterns, competitive salaries and other benefits.
Senior Agricultural Liaison Officer in Belfast employer: AgHires
WSP is an exceptional employer for Senior Agricultural Liaison Officers, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration and innovation across major infrastructure projects in the UK and Ireland. With flexible working arrangements, competitive salaries, and a commitment to employee growth through professional development opportunities, WSP fosters a supportive environment where land professionals can thrive while making a meaningful impact on communities and the environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Agricultural Liaison Officer in Belfast
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the agricultural and land management sectors on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups, attend webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their recent work in infrastructure and energy sectors. We want you to show them that you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely understands their mission and can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves securing land rights and negotiating terms, consider role-playing scenarios with friends or mentors. We believe that being confident in these discussions will set you apart from the competition.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Agricultural Liaison Officer in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Agricultural Liaison Officer role. Highlight your experience in land referencing, stakeholder engagement, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention specific experiences that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder engagement, make sure to demonstrate your communication skills in your application. Whether it's through examples in your CV or your cover letter, we want to see how you build relationships and resolve disputes.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at AgHires
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of agricultural practices, land management, and the legal processes involved in land acquisition. Familiarise yourself with the specific sectors you'll be working in, like electricity, highways, and renewable energy. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also understand the nuances of the industry.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Since negotiation is a key part of this role, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully negotiated terms or resolved disputes. Be ready to discuss your approach and how you build relationships with landowners and stakeholders. This will demonstrate your ability to handle the complexities of the job.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Highlight your experience in stakeholder engagement during the interview. Discuss how you've built trust and maintained positive relationships in previous roles. You might even want to prepare a few strategies you’ve used to effectively communicate with diverse groups, as this will resonate well with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage landowner disputes or project challenges. Think through potential situations you might face in this role and how you would handle them. This preparation will help you respond confidently and showcase your critical thinking abilities.
