Associate Director (Infrastructure Planning) in Manchester

Job Description

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, and experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

WSP is an award‑winning consultancy that employs the largest number of chartered town planners in the UK, operating within both the infrastructure and property markets. In December 2025, WSP won the RTPI’s Planning Consultancy of the Year, with judges commending the team for their excellence in uniting diverse disciplines to achieve outstanding results and praising the team’s strong community engagement.

It has never been a more exciting time to join WSP’s market‑leading Infrastructure Planning Team. Our success is built on employing highly skilled consenting specialists who have experience in serving a diverse portfolio of clients in the energy, renewables, nuclear, net zero, water, rail, transportation and aviation sectors. We work at all stages of the consenting process—from early feasibility and application preparation to delivery of consents through construction—for a variety of projects across sectors.

With notable contract and framework awards from National Grid as part of the Great Grid Partnership and from many other clients, we have a great foundation for growth in 2026. Our key clients include National Grid, National Gas, Nuclear Waste Services, EET Fuels, Eni UK, SSE, Scottish Power Renewables, Severn Trent Water, Southern Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water and many more.

To continue to sustainably grow as a business, we are looking for an experienced Senior Consultant to join our team to support town planning and consenting inputs on major and nationally significant infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience working within multidisciplinary teams to secure consent and approvals for major or nationally significant infrastructure projects via the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Planning Act 2008, and Transport and Works Act Order. Experience in securing consents for major projects under the Planning (Wales) Act 2015, Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, or the Electricity Act is also valued.

What We Will Be Looking For

• Leading the town planning or consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs, etc.)
• Providing strong technical leadership and advice to clients, managing their consenting requirements while demonstrating awareness of client expectations and needs.
• Co‑ordinating the preparation and submission of consent applications, which may include applications under the Town and Country Planning Acts, the Planning Act 2008, or other regimes.
• Acting as Project Director for projects led and managed by the Infrastructure Planning business.
• Acting as Planning Expert Witness at DCO examinations or other hearings or inquiries.
• Leading complex negotiations with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients.
• Having a strong understanding of project finances and demonstrable project management experience, ideally within a consultancy environment.
• Line‑managing or mentoring colleagues by supporting them in their work and project delivery roles.
• Holding a degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent).
• Being a member of the RTPI.

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.

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.