Associate Director / Technical Director - Policy, Regulation and Markets (Energy) in Leeds

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.

A Little More About Your Role

As Associate Director or Technical Director – Policy, Markets & Regulation, you will have strategic, technical and commercial leadership for the PMR portfolio within Energy Advisory. You will lead the Policy, Markets & Regulation group, including line management of the Regulatory Economics and Policy & Markets capability leads, and will be accountable for setting direction, driving growth and ensuring robust governance across PMR services. You will work closely with the wider Energy Advisory leadership, contributing to strategic discussions and priorities while retaining primary responsibility for the performance, development and market positioning of the PMR portfolio.

Your key challenge will be to take stock of existing skills and capabilities within the PMR team, strengthen integration across Energy Advisory, and significantly expand WSP’s policy, markets and regulation business in the UK and Ireland. You will act as a senior ambassador for PMR services, internally and externally, positioning WSP as a trusted advisor to government, regulators, system operators, network companies, developers, investors and major energy users.

Key Responsibilities

• Setting and implementing the strategy for the Policy, Markets & Regulation portfolio in alignment with the wider Energy Advisory and business unit strategies.
• Driving growth through business development, market positioning and thought leadership across UK and Ireland policy, regulatory and energy market advisory.
• Providing senior leadership and governance oversight for PMR services, including quality assurance, risk management and technical standards.
• Leading and sponsoring major bids and proposals, including setting win strategies and providing senior technical and commercial input.
• Overseeing the delivery of complex and high-value advisory projects, acting as Project Director or senior reviewer where appropriate.
• Building, maintaining and leveraging senior client relationships across government, regulators and industry to secure repeat and new business.
• Line management, mentoring and development of capability leads and senior staff within the PMR group, supporting succession planning and talent development.
• Working collaboratively with other Energy Advisory capability leads to deliver integrated, multi-disciplinary solutions.
• Representing Energy Advisory and PMR as a senior ambassador within WSP and to external stakeholders.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

• Significant experience in policy, regulatory and/or energy markets advisory within the UK and Ireland energy sector.
• A strong understanding of electricity and gas markets, regulatory frameworks and policy development processes.
• Good exposure to, and understanding of, energy and power system modelling and its application to policy and market analysis.
• A proven track record of leading and growing advisory teams and service portfolios in a consultancy or similar environment.
• Demonstrable success in business development, client relationship management and winning complex advisory work.
• Experience acting as Project Director or senior technical reviewer on high-profile or complex studies.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage credibly with senior clients, policymakers and regulators.
• A collaborative leadership style and commitment to technical excellence, innovation and professional development.

Benefits

• 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. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing 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. 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.
• 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.
• 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.

We Are WSP

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.