Land Consultant (various levels) in Belfast

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

WSP’s Land team in Ireland is seeking talented Land Consultants, at various levels, to join our Belfast based team. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of our Land Team in the delivery of land referencing, landowner engagement, consultation management, land access, formal consents, statutory orders, compensation agreements and land acquisition in support of strategic infrastructure development projects across Ireland and the UK.

We support high-profile infrastructure projects across the Energy, Water, Road, Rail and Local Authority sectors such as the A5, Cookstown Bypass, North South Interconnector, numerous electricity transmission upgrade schemes, NM20 Cork to Limerick, Dublin Metrolink, as well as HS2 and many other high-profile infrastructure development schemes across GB. Many of our Energy projects are critical for the deployment of renewable energy, helping the Ireland and UK economies to achieve net zero carbon emissions.

You will be part of our WSP team based in our modern Belfast Waterfront Office, which is made up of land consultants, Highways engineers, environmental and planning specialists and water engineers. We are the largest Land Referencing business in the UK and Ireland, with over 250 Land colleagues. As part of the WSP Land Team you will enjoy the support of multi-disciplinary colleagues in our Belfast, Naas and wider GB offices.

Associate Land Consultant role:

• Lead a team of technical specialists to direct successful delivery of projects on time, within budget and to high standards.
• Be a trusted advisor to clients (externally and internally) and manage relationships.
• Advise on Land issues within Ireland and UK, including the relevant statutory processes to acquire land and land rights including Vesting Order, Direction Order, CPO, Motorway Order, Wayleaves etc.
• Lead on 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 for land acquisition and planning applications.
• Lead delivery of training on technical topics.
• 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.
• Promote and support adherence to all WSP H&S procedures.
• Manage, motivate, mentor and develop staff.
• Contribute to the delivery of the business strategy.
• Promote Land services and contribute to business development across the electricity, highway, rail, water, telecoms, gas and renewable energy sectors.
• Collaborate with other WSP Disciplines including engineering, environmental, and planning teams to optimise WSP’s service to clients.
• Support the writing of bids/tenders to secure opportunities from internal and external clients.
• Ireland and UK travel.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate:

• Successfully led a team of land consultants to deliver land referencing or land assembly services on infrastructure projects to programme and budget.
• Detailed knowledge and experience of Statutory Order requirements, such as a CPO, Vesting Order as well as an understanding of the land and property industry.
• Evidence of leading teams to deliver complex work.
• Experience providing technical guidance and advice to clients and building strong relationships.
• Evidence of leadership skills and excellent communication and organisational skills and ability to liaise at all levels with both internal and external shareholders.
• Confidence to promote our services both internally and externally.
• Highly motivated and with excellent industry network.
• Experience in rural environment, property, communities and agricultural working practices.
• Experience 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 easements.
• Demonstrable experience of reducing land risk for clients and advising them on land related matters throughout all stages of a project lifecycle.
• Good business and IT skills.
• A degree in Geography, Agriculture, Land and Estate Management or similar.
• Chartership or membership of a Professional body would be advantageous.
• A full drivers’ licence is essential.

Senior Land Consultant role:

• Managing the project delivery of statutory processes for the acquisition of land and land rights such as CPO, Motorway Order, Vesting Order, Wayleaves etc.
• Project Management of Land projects on time, within budget and to high standards.
• Ensure that WSP H&S procedures are adhered to for all site work.
• Negotiation of Heads of Terms to secure land or land rights for projects.
• Liaise with key stakeholders and landowners as well as land agents, auctioneers, legal representatives, planning authorities, contractors and clients.
• Work closely with Land team colleagues and collaborate with WSP teams in the engineering, environmental, and planning disciplines.
• Management and development of a team of early career professionals providing both technical training and career development support.
• Contribute to business development and the delivery of the business strategy.
• Ireland and UK travel.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate:

• Degree or equivalent experience in Geography, Land and Estate Management, Agriculture or a relevant discipline.
• Project Management experience in the delivery of land referencing, land access, landowner engagement services and statutory processes on infrastructure development projects in the electricity, road, gas, rail or renewable energy sectors.
• Experience of negotiating with landowners and knowledge of the legal process for the acquisition of wayleaves/easements/servitudes desirable.
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• 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 and/or acquisition of consents and interests in land, and knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with colleagues, landowners and clients at all levels.
• Ability to communicate effectively with strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Knowledge of the rural environment and farming practices would be desirable.
• Chartership or membership of a Professional body would be advantageous.
• A full drivers’ licence is essential.

Land Consultant role:

• Land referencing activities, including land registry searches on LandWeb Direct (NI) and Tailte Éireann (RoI), desktop research, questionnaire analysis and archival investigations to identify legal land interests and rights.
• Consulting with landowners to confirm land and landownership details and agree access for surveys.
• Consulting with landowners to explain proposed scheme, programme, discuss potential impacts and ensure accurate consultation notes are taken and uploaded to our consultation database.
• Liaising as required with land agents, auctioneers, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients.
• Ensuring that WSP H&S procedures are adhered to for all site work.
• Preparation of Orders and relevant statutory processes to acquire land and land rights.
• Negotiation of Wayleaves.
• Negotiation of Heads of Terms to secure land or land rights.
• Work closely with Land team colleagues and collaborate with other WSP teams in engineering, environmental, and planning disciplines.
• Management of junior members of Land Team providing support and technical training.
• Ireland and UK travel.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate:

• Degree or equivalent experience in Geography, Land and Estate Management, Agriculture or a relevant discipline.
• Experience of delivering land referencing, land access, landowner engagement services on infrastructure development projects.
• Experience of negotiating with landowners and knowledge of the legal process for the acquisition of wayleaves/easements/servitudes desirable.
• Experience of working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience of development of Orders and/or acquisition of consents and interests in land, and knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Experience of infrastructure development schemes in the electricity, road, gas, rail or renewable energy sectors.
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with colleagues, landowners and clients.
• Ability to communicate effectively with good influencing and negotiating skills.
• Knowledge of the rural environment and farming practices would be desirable.
• Membership of a Professional body would be advantageous.
• A full drivers’ licence is essential.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all. Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

ABOUT US

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 69,300 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 & Diversity: We welcome applicants with diverse 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. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.
• Health & Wellbeing: We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Med24 offers you and your family unlimited telephone access to an NHS doctor, available 24/7, with options for face-to-face video consultations. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as 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, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. 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.