Associate Land Consultant UK wide

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 are the largest and most successful land business supporting infrastructure development in the UK and Ireland, with 300+ specialist professional colleagues consisting of land consultants, property specialists, project managers and utility and topographical surveyors. We have the widest portfolio of projects available in our industry, offering unrivalled opportunities to develop and diversify careers, working on some of the most exciting and challenging projects across the whole of the UK and Ireland. We are looking to add further expertise to our growing team and seek talented individuals with varying levels of knowledge of land referencing. Joining WSP, you will have access to our Land Academy, which is designed and delivered by our expert land team to provide the best standard training and CPD across the industry and support and guidance to achieve your chartership. The role can be based in one of WSP’s many offices across the UK or Ireland, with hybrid flexibility between office and home.

Core Functions

• Lead a team of technical specialists to ensure successful delivery of projects securely, on time, within budget and to high standards.
• Be a trusted advisor to clients (externally and internally) and manage relationships.
• Advise on land issues across the UK and Ireland, including at least some of the relevant statutory processes to acquire land such as DCOs, DNOs, hybrid Bills, Scottish Bills, TWA, T&CPA, CPOs, Motorway Orders, Vesting Orders, etc.
• Secure land rights for high profile, strategic infrastructure projects across all sectors.
• Liaise with landowners, land agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients.
• Work closely with land team colleagues and collaborate with engineering, environmental and planning teams both within WSP and as part of project supply chains.
• Lead quality assurance of deliverables in relation to the identification of land interests and rights, negotiation of access to land for surveys, consents and acquisition of land rights for large scale development projects, as well as land acquisition and planning applications.
• Promote WSP’s services and contribute to business development across the energy, highway, rail, water, local government and aviation sectors.
• Support our drive for quality and the sharing of knowledge and lessons across regions and projects.
• Develop efficient working practices and promote innovation in the team to provide industry-leading, best-value services to our clients.
• Ensure that the team has the necessary skills and resources to deliver successful projects and grow the business.
• People management as a leader and role model.
• Manage, motivate, mentor and develop staff and contribute to the development and delivery of the business strategy.
• Support/lead the writing of bids/tenders to secure opportunities from internal and external clients.
• Lead delivery of training on technical topics by contributing to and participating in our CPD-accredited Land Academy.
• UK and Ireland travel plus the possibility of travel to WSP’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• Expertise in urban and/or rural environment, property, communities and stakeholders.
• Experience and an industry profile/reputation in working on infrastructure development schemes with multi-disciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations.
• Experience of negotiating commercial terms with landowners and knowledge of the legal process for the acquisition of wayleaves and easement and negotiated access.
• Demonstrable experience of reducing land risk for clients and advising them on land-related matters throughout all stages of a project lifecycle.
• Proven track record of the development of Orders, etc and/or acquisition of consents and interests in land, and knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Motivated and able to work in a team and on own initiative, being able to work under pressure and deliver high quality outputs.
• Strong landowner and public engagement skills.
• Good business and IT skills.
• Excellent adherence to quality assurance and good document management skills.
• A degree in Geography, Land/Estate Management, Agriculture or similar.
• Chartership or membership of a relevant professional body would be advantageous.
• The ability to travel effectively to various sites/locations is a necessary function of this role.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

What’s In It For You?

• Work-life balance: At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.
• Inclusivity & Belonging: We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society.
• Health & Wellbeing: We are to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need and a comprehensive menopause support package.
• Flex your time: To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities. We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.
• Your development: We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. Please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.