Commercial Lead - Earth and Environment

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 World’s Leading Earth & Environment Consultancy

WSP is the world’s leading consultancy in the provision of environmental engineering and consultancy services according to Verdantix and Environmental Analyst (2025). Our global community of professionals share resources and expertise across the world, and we assemble bespoke teams to meet the specific needs of each project. Our diverse team of geologists, geotechnical engineers, scientists, and specialists in air quality, biodiversity, water, waste, social value, health and safety, climate and ESG, combine technical expertise and international best practice, with a deep understanding of local regulations and cultures.

Our team’s work covers every stage of a project’s life cycle, from initial environmental impact assessment and socioeconomic studies to feasibility, design, permitting, planning, and operations, to decommissioning and asset remediation.

A Little More About Your Role…

In our commercial function our job is clear: “To help our teams manage the risks and realise the opportunities in bidding, winning and delivering great projects.” This is underpinned by the following:

• Providing leadership in commercial matters; directly with clients, making business easy and WSP easy to do business with.
• Developing commercial best practice, process and resources in support of WSP’s strategy.
• Demonstrating the value from the commercial role.
• Focussing action on strategic themes of governance, risk and opportunity with all stakeholders.
• Providing dispute resolution support to the business.
• Be a champion for our Projects First approach.

The Commercial Lead for the Earth and Environment (E&E) business will report to the Commercial Director for Water, Energy, Earth and Environment (WEE&E). On a day to day basis the Commercial Lead will support the Managing Director, Operations Director and Discipline Leads for Earth, Environmental Consents, Environment and Nature Services, Sustainability Advisory disciplines. The Commercial Lead will be a core member of the Senior Leadership Team and attend the Operational Leadership Team for the E&E business.

The Commercial Lead will support Project Directors on the delivery of major portfolio projects to minimise commercial risk and maximise financial returns in line with the discipline’s objectives. The Commercial Lead will also contribute to the wider WEE&E commercial team, comprising of the legal team, price to win leads and other commercial leads.

Responsibilities

• Take a leading role in shaping major bids and strategic pursuits, working collaboratively with the Operations Director, and the price to win and legal team to develop win themes and to understand and manage key risks.
• Providing expertise on the formation of Joint Ventures, consortia and other collaboration arrangements.
• Supporting the discipline Operations Director with discipline and UK level governance.
• Working with Project Directors to ensure effective hand over to our delivery teams.

• Provide leadership, guidance and assistance to the business to strengthen our approach to change management and payment, providing direct interventions to support Project Directors where necessary.
• Be a champion for change, providing leadership, mentoring and training to improve project outturns.

• Working closely with the Legal Team, ensure that the business proactively manages and supports resolution of fee disputes, potential and actual claims.

• Be an active member of the WSP Commercial Team contributing to decision making and identifying business improvement opportunities; and contributing to the development of an enhanced commercial culture in the business.
• Work with the SLT and OLT to define an appropriate commercial structure to support the E&E business as it grows and develops.
• Raise commercial awareness and performance through regular feedback, meetings, and training.
• Review and implement improvements to processes and systems.

Key Competencies And Experience

• Leading People - Acts as a “change leader” by encouraging others to embrace change and face new challenges. Has a positive, curious, creative mindset and can work and collaborate across all levels. Demonstrate excellent inter-personal skills with good leadership and management abilities.
• Commercial – Has in depth experience of commercial disputes and settlements.
• Operations - Has an established knowledge of operational performance, management and monitoring.
• Inclusion and Performance - Promotes and engages diverse perspectives fostering inclusion in every area of business operations. Demonstrates courage in decision making and supports, coaches and develops others through respectful, actionable constructive feedback.
• Strategic Thinking and Direction – ability to operate and develop a business; forward thinking, capable of visualising and planning for the longer term; capable of identifying, communicating, engaging and drives the implementation of commercial improvement strategies.
• Projects - Possess a broad range of project experience at a multi-disciplinary level.
• Communication and Influence - Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively and positively influence at all levels as well as internally and externally.
• Problems (business and projects) – Able to scan performance and trends to take preventative actions and support areas/projects where problems could manifest.

What We Are Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• Clear understanding of core expectations for a high-profile client facing business.
• Proven people and commercial management skills; able to develop/maintain excellent relationships.
• Excellent communication and listening skills with the ability to influence and deal with conflicting priorities and to offer positive solutions.
• Clear commercial acumen with understanding of consultancy services and models and key drivers to improve performance.
• Demonstrates strong leadership skills and abilities with focus on people management, delegation, accountability and succession.
• Coming from a relevant industry, consultancy or client organisation would be beneficial.
• Have a relevant degree and professional qualification, MRICS or equivalent.

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 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?

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.

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. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP.

We are committed 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 – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most.

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.

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.