Associate/Associate Director - Strategy & Feasibility - Rail, Light Rail, Freight, Local Authorities in Birmingham

Join to apply for the Associate/Associate Director - Strategy & Feasibility - Rail, Light Rail, Freight, Local Authorities role at WSP in the UK & Ireland. 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.

The WSP Client Engineering and Advisory Services group sits within our UK Rail team. The group provides systemic and integrated rail solutions which are user‑focused, operationally driven, grounded in engineering and commercially sound. Teams within the Client Engineering and Advisory Services group include Rolling Stock, Rail Planning & Operations, Rail Strategy & Feasibility, Digital Rail, and Client Engineering. The Strategy and Feasibility team is where it all begins! We are a team of engineers, strategic planners and project managers, with experience across the rail industry. We can think technically, commercially and operationally. We collaborate with each other, other parts of WSP and external organisations to develop early‑stage railway requirements into fundable projects. We work on a broad range of early‑stage development projects with a range of public and private sector clients including developing proposals for new stations and freight facilities, evaluating and quantifying the introduction of new passenger and freight rail services onto the network, and supporting clients with technical rail advice as they develop their own plans and strategies.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic rail advice to external and internal clients.
• Involved in multi‑disciplinary projects, often taking a central coordinating role.
• Develop the rail‑focused service offering in light rail, freight and local authorities.
• Plan, manage and deliver tasks that contribute to large projects; may take responsibility for full project delivery and bidding for new work.
• Engage with clients and build a network internally and externally to solve problems and generate new work.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience working in light rail, freight or transport for local authorities, with an understanding of legislative and funding processes related to rail operations and scheme development.
• Broad understanding across rail areas such as operational planning, strategic planning, business case development and engineering feasibility.
• Ability to think strategically, see the big picture while maintaining attention to detail.
• Career‑focused professional with a proactive and collaborative style.
• Consultancy skills including business development and bidding.
• Organisational skills, with a project management approach; strong stakeholder management and ability to lead project delivery teams.
• Microsoft proficiency.
• Professionally qualified or working toward professional qualifications.

Benefits

• Work‑life balance: Our hybrid working policy allows you to work from home two days a week, while also collaborating in modern offices across the UK.
• Inclusivity & belonging: We welcome applicants from varied backgrounds and encourage people to bring their authentic selves to work.
• Health & wellbeing: Access to a virtual GP service, workplace adjustments, gym membership discounts, and comprehensive menopause support.
• Flex your time: WSP My Hour allows you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time.
• Part‑time and flexible working arrangements, additional leave options, and bank holiday entitlement are also available.
• Your development: We invest in training, mentoring, and Chartership opportunities to support your growth.

EEO Statement: 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.