Land and Consents Consultant (all levels)

WSP is one of the UK’s largest land‑services providers and is expanding its Land team across the UK and Ireland. We are looking for experienced land professionals to support major infrastructure projects. As a valued member of our Land team, you will play a crucial role in delivering essential services related to land acquisition, valuation, compulsory purchase, compensation, landowner engagement, land access, wayleaves, consents and negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Negotiating access to and acquiring complex land for high‑profile, strategic infrastructure projects, including drafting and preparing consent documents.
• Securing appropriate land rights for large‑scale development projects and providing strategic land advice to our clients.
• Utilising statutory powers and other available mechanisms to acquire land (e.g., DCO, CPO, TCPA, TWAO, Hybrid Bills) across highways, rail, aviation, water, gas and all energy sectors including renewables.
• Negotiating Heads of Terms for large‑scale, complex landowners to secure land for projects in a timely fashion, using the appropriate mechanism.
• Liaising with major landowners’ agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients.
• Managing and settling compensation claims (e.g., DCO, CPO, land damage, voluntary).
• Collaborating with multi‑disciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations throughout the UK.
• Supporting and developing a team of early‑career professionals, providing technical training and career development support.
• Participating within the management team, propelling team growth and advancement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven track record in delivering land and property related services.
• Experience of negotiating with complex landowners and robust knowledge of the legal process for acquisition of property and rights.
• Understanding of landownership and occupation across the UK and the implications for securing agreements for DNOs and developers.
• Experience managing and settling a range of voluntary and compulsory purchase compensation claims (e.g., HOTs, wayleave, easements, EA Agreements, Option Agreements).
• Experience in high‑profile infrastructure development schemes within roads, rail, gas, electricity or renewable energy sectors.
• Broad knowledge across relevant legislation and procedures, including: Town & Country Planning Act, Electricity Act, Transport and Works Act Orders, Hybrid Bills, Development Consent Orders.
• Effective, concise communication with strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• A full UK driving licence is required.
• Association or full Membership to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or another professional membership is desirable but not essential.

We will consider candidates with relevant transferable skills in land and consents management; fully demonstrating all of the above role requirements is not essential. WSP is an equal opportunities employer. 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.