Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) Geospatial Lead in Edinburgh

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and experienced Geospatial professional with a proven track record to join our growing Geospatial & Data Solutions team as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) Geospatial Lead. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in the delivery of geospatial strategy, data management, and digital integration for onshore NSIPs across the UK and Ireland. Acting as the central custodian of all geospatial data within NSIP projects, this role ensures that spatial information is accurate, connected, secure, and accessible across multidisciplinary project teams.

The position will support the development and implementation of GIS strategy, data governance frameworks, metadata standards, and ETL pipelines in a complex engineering and consenting environment. The role will drive innovation, enabling collaborative digital ecosystems that enhance decision making, streamline workflows, and ensure regulatory compliance for major infrastructure developments. This role requires a blend of strong project management, technical leadership, and the ability to shape and deliver a connected-data vision that positions Geospatial as a core component of project delivery.

SLR’s Geospatial & Data Solutions team provides expert support and advice on geospatial data analysis and developing bespoke digital tools. They work on multidisciplinary projects alongside other technical disciplines as well as standalone Geospatial projects for a range of external clients. Projects are primarily located throughout the UK and Europe but with an ever-growing focus on more widely spread international opportunities. Projects are interesting, challenging and varied and our clients come from a range of sectors including Infrastructure, Built Environment, Energy and Power.

Due to the nature of the work and sites visited, the role will require regular travel throughout the UK and potentially further afield and this means that working away from home during the week on some projects will be required.

As a NSIP Geospatial Lead, You Will:

• Be responsible for the GIS delivery of NSIPs, overseeing workflows, resources, schedules, and quality assurance across multi-disciplinary project stages.
• Own data governance and quality across NSIP projects, establishing standards, metadata frameworks, and controls that ensure reliable, compliant spatial data.
• Drive connected collaboration, integrating GIS with CDEs, BIM, engineering, and environmental systems to enable seamless data flow.
• Align team capability with project demands by building and leading a high performing GIS team with the right skills, talent, and capacity to confidently support the complex and evolving needs of NSIP delivery.
• Support the geospatial strategy for NSIP projects, positioning GIS and connected data at the core of project decision-making.
• Develop and optimise ETL pipelines, automating data ingestion, validation, and transformation to improve efficiency and consistency.
• Provide technical leadership, guiding teams, advising stakeholders, and communicating complex spatial insights with clarity.
• Champion innovation, promoting modern GIS tools, automation, and digital practices that enhance project performance.

Person Specification:

• Proven track record of leading GIS delivery on major NSIP programmes, demonstrating successful management of complex spatial data environments, multidisciplinary coordination, and high-quality outputs across project lifecycles.
• Proven leadership experience building and developing high performing GIS or digital delivery teams, with the ability to motivate, mentor, and grow capability in a supportive learning environment.
• Extensive knowledge of GIS platforms and connected data ecosystems, including ArcGIS Enterprise/Online, spatial databases, ETL tools, and automation workflows.
• Strong strategic and operational capability, with the ability to set GIS direction, shape data governance frameworks, and embed connected data practices within large infrastructure delivery structures.
• Demonstrated excellence in data management and governance, including metadata standards, quality assurance, structured workflows, and integration across Common Data Environments.
• Exceptional project management and stakeholder engagement skills, adept at coordinating multidisciplinary teams, presenting technical concepts clearly, influencing decision-makers, and ensuring alignment with key programme milestones.

About Us:

SLR are global leaders in Sustainability Solutions, helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals. We are a consultancy with over 4,000 employees across 6 regions in over 125 countries. Our ‘one team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment for professional development. Along with competitive salaries, our staff enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with a company pension plus excellent healthcare offering, travel and life insurance and a structured career framework with regular reviews offering outstanding opportunities for progression.

Alongside 25 days' annual leave, with additional flexible bank holidays, we offer flexible, agile and hybrid working which enables staff to tailor hours worked around core hours, with family friendly policies help balance the needs of professional and home life.

Culture & Inclusion at SLR:

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, and our expectations go beyond purely complying with legislation. Through our Regional C&I Committees, Global Council and Employee Networks, we foster an inclusive environment where all people regardless of their background can thrive. We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background, including those from groups that are currently under-represented at SLR, such as people identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous peoples, ethnic minority groups, women, and people with visible or invisible disabilities, including those who are neurodivergent. Should you require any special adjustments throughout the recruitment process with us, please let us know. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we seek to ensure all applicants have equitable support when applying to SLR. SLR Commitment – All applicants with a disability who meet the essential requirements for the job will be guaranteed an interview in line with our Disability Confident Committed status.