At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sustainability projects and deliver innovative energy strategies for major developments.
- Company: Join WSP, a global leader in building performance and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities to work on landmark projects.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career growth and mentoring opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while collaborating with top experts in the field.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering or sustainability, with proven leadership in energy strategy.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.
We have an exciting opportunity for an Associate Director/Technical Director – Building Performance & Sustainability, based in our London office. You will provide technical leadership in building performance and sustainability, supporting the delivery of complex, high-profile projects and major frameworks in London and across the UK. You will join our growing Building Performance team, contributing to a connected national network of specialists delivering energy, carbon and wider sustainability outcomes across the built environment.
The Building Performance team primarily supports the UK business in terms of energy, carbon and holistic sustainability advice within the Built Environment. The team coordinates all WSP disciplines towards the delivery of sustainable designs and provides sustainability & energy master planning advice for both urban and semi-rural developments, as well as supporting the delivery of BREEAM, LEED, WELL and NABERS consulting services.
Reporting to our London Building Performance Lead, you will help develop and grow the team’s offering across a range of sectors and contribute to a national Building Performance Network within the Building Services Practice. The role is client-facing, helping clients define and fulfil their strategic goals towards net zero operational energy, embodied carbon and wider sustainability targets.
A Little More About Your Role…
You will combine deep technical expertise in building performance, energy and carbon with client-facing leadership to grow and deliver WSP’s Building Performance & Sustainability offering in London and nationally. You will lead project strategy and governance, coordinate multidisciplinary delivery on a day-to-day basis, and act as the sustainability focal point for clients and internal stakeholders. You will also support the effective running of the team, including resourcing, delivery performance and financial health, and embed consistent delivery frameworks and quality standards. You will contribute to major bids and frameworks and play an active role as a people manager in mentoring and capability development across the team.
In addition, you will contribute to proposal development, shaping technical approach, resourcing and programme, and help drive quality and consistency through delivery frameworks and training.
What You’ll Do
- Technical leadership – building performance & sustainability
- Lead and assure energy and carbon strategies, performance modelling inputs and evidence-based reporting for complex projects.
- Provide technical direction on operational energy, operational carbon, embodied carbon and low-carbon design, influencing decisions from early strategy through design delivery.
- Advise on relevant UK legislation, planning policy and sustainability standards (e.g., BREEAM, WELL, NABERS; LEED where applicable).
- Set expectations for quality and consistency: review outputs, manage technical risk, and ensure robust assumptions and traceable evidence.
- Project delivery & day-to-day coordination
- Coordinate day-to-day sustainability delivery across multi-disciplinary teams, aligning inputs to programme, design stage and client priorities.
- Act as the sustainability focal point between client teams, internal specialists and external stakeholders.
- Translate client ambitions into practical, deliverable strategies; communicate trade-offs clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Support task planning and resourcing across live projects and bids, resolving clashes and prioritising workload to maintain delivery momentum.
- Client engagement, work winning & market profile
- Build trusted-adviser relationships and represent WSP in client meetings, workshops and design reviews.
- Lead bids, proposals and major frameworks: shape technical approach, scope, programme, resourcing and value proposition.
- Identify cross-selling opportunities and collaborate across WSP disciplines to support account growth and strategic opportunities.
- Champion innovation and best practice, clearly articulating benefits, outcomes and delivery pathways to clients and colleagues.
- People development, capability & team operations
- Mentor and upskill consultants, and contribute to senior capability through peer review, coaching and technical challenge.
- Oversee and support the senior team with day-to-day resourcing coordination: short-term planning, resolving clashes, managing priorities and workload across live projects and bids.
- Lead inputs to delivery forecasting and financial awareness activities, supporting the team to manage budgets, fees and deliverables effectively.
- Contribute to proposal development framework: shaping technical approach, resourcing and programme, and drafting/reviewing content to strengthen bid quality and consistency.
- Drive consistent quality and continuous improvement via delivery frameworks, technical standards, training and knowledge sharing.
What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate
- Proven leadership in delivering sustainability and energy strategy for large/major projects, including complex and mixed-use developments.
- A technical grounding in building performance, energy strategy, operational carbon, embodied carbon and low-carbon design principles.
- Client-facing capability as a trusted technical lead; able to communicate complex technical topics clearly and credibly.
- An understanding of the design and construction process and the implications for sustainable design delivery.
- Experience leading work winning (bids/proposals) with commercial awareness; ability to provide inputs to fees, budgets and delivery forecasting.
- Knowledge of UK planning policy and sustainability requirements relevant to net zero and carbon outcomes.
- Experience with people management responsibilities within a complex consultancy environment.
- Ability to mentor others and contribute to training and capability development.
- Must be able to obtain UK vetting level of Security Check (SC).
Qualifications
- Degree in engineering, environmental, architectural or sustainability-related discipline.
- Membership of a relevant professional institution; chartered status (or working towards chartership) in a related discipline.
Associate Director/Technical Director - Building Performance & Sustainability (Building Services) employer: Wsp In The Uk & Ireland
At WSP, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our London office provides a unique opportunity to engage in impactful projects while benefiting from comprehensive professional development and mentorship programmes. Join us to be part of a diverse team dedicated to sustainability and building performance, where your contributions will shape the future of the built environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director/Technical Director - Building Performance & Sustainability (Building Services)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry folks on LinkedIn or at events. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or case studies showcasing your past projects in building performance and sustainability. This will help you stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. Focus on how you can contribute to WSP's goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining the WSP team.
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director/Technical Director - Building Performance & Sustainability (Building Services)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the role. Highlight your experience in building performance and sustainability, and how it aligns with WSP's goals. We want to see how you can contribute to our team!
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t hold back on your technical skills! Detail your knowledge of energy strategies, carbon management, and sustainability standards like BREEAM and WELL. We’re looking for someone who can lead with confidence.
Be Client-Focused:Remember, this role is client-facing! Share examples of how you've built relationships and communicated complex ideas to clients. We love seeing candidates who can bridge the gap between technical details and client needs.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining the WSP family!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wsp In The Uk & Ireland
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to building performance and sustainability. Be ready to discuss energy strategies, carbon management, and relevant UK legislation like BREEAM and WELL. This will show that you're not just familiar with the concepts but can also apply them in real-world scenarios.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading teams and projects, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed multidisciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your experience in mentoring others and how you've contributed to team development. This will demonstrate your capability as a trusted technical lead.
✨Engage with Clients
This position is client-facing, so practice how you would build relationships with clients. Think of ways to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively. Prepare to discuss how you've translated client ambitions into practical strategies in previous roles, showcasing your ability to act as a trusted adviser.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical problems or manage project challenges. Think about potential trade-offs in sustainability strategies and how you would communicate these to both technical and non-technical audiences. This will help you demonstrate your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.
