Technical Director (Water Service Line) in Leeds

Join to apply for the Technical Director (Water Service Line) role at WSP in the UK & Ireland. 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.

A Little More About Your Role

You will provide strategic leadership to create, shape, and deliver the business strategy for the Severn Trent Water service line within the Asset Design discipline—ensuring WSP’s industry‑leading position is both safeguarded and strengthened for future growth. As a key member of the Leadership Team, reporting to the Head of Discipline, you will be accountable for driving the strategic growth and P&L performance of the service line. You’ll lead with confidence and autonomy, taking ownership of a forward‑looking business strategy that delivers sustainable growth and reinforces our position as a top‑tier market leader. You’ll thrive in collaboration and engagement, recognising that success is built on working as a unified and integrated team. You’ll also foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and supported, with a strong emphasis on health, safety, and wellbeing to ensure our people can perform at their best.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategy that will deliver business growth in line with agreed target levels and align our business to the existing, emerging and developing market opportunities within the water sector.
• Lead and manage a team, with a strong focus on people engagement and enhancing sense of belonging.
• Leadership in Health, Safety, Wellbeing and Inclusion, with a commitment to a Zero Harm culture.
• Own a Service Line P&L and deliver to all key targets.
• Lead framework and project delivery – time, cost and quality.
• Provide coordination with other service lines and disciplines, to ensure sharing of best practice, innovation and project delivery skills.
• Ensure the team have the right competencies for their roles through the development and delivery of a training and development plan.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key clients and actively seek and act upon client feedback to enhance the services we provide and differentiate WSP from the competition in the sectors we operate.
• Support strategic business unit level bids and lead tactical bids.

Your Team

Join a thriving Water Asset Design team that delivers innovative solutions to a diverse client base, including Severn Trent Water, South West Water, Southern Water and many key contractors such as Costain, Kier, Tilbury Douglas and United Infrastructure. Play a pivotal role in delivering WSP UK’s 2025–2027 Strategy, where water is recognised as a key strategic growth area, driving sustainable impact across the sector. Become part of an ambitious team that genuinely cares about enhancing quality of life for clients and communities through sustainable and forward‑thinking engineering. Experience a people‑first culture that empowers individuals to flourish, grow, and shape their careers in an environment built on trust, support, and continuous development.

Qualifications & Experience

• Leadership experience in the Water sector within a professional services environment, with a track record of delivering strategic outcomes.
• Proven ability to build and sustain senior client relationships, ensuring repeat business and consistently high levels of client satisfaction.
• Excellent commercial acumen, including full P&L ownership and a deep understanding of financial levers such as net revenue, operating margin, EBITDA, and working capital.
• Recognised as a leader in your field, with experience leading international teams and delivering high‑quality professional services on a national scale.
• A growth mindset, with the ability to identify and develop opportunities beyond your core technical discipline.
• Skilled in cross‑selling and collaboration, enhancing client value by connecting them with WSP’s broader service offerings.
• A demonstrated commitment to inclusion, safety, and wellbeing, fostering a culture where everyone feels they belong, and where health and safety are prioritised through a Zero Harm approach that supports both people and performance.

Imagine a Better Future

Join our close‑knitted 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.

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?

• 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. 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.