Land and Consents Consultant (all levels) in Manchester

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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.

WSP is one of the UK's largest suppliers of Land Services and is looking to broaden and strengthen its team of experienced land professionals across the UK with immediate vacancies for Land and Consents Consultant (all levels) to join our established teams. Are you ready to contribute to major infrastructure projects in the UK and Ireland? We’re excited to offer opportunities within our multidisciplinary firm.

As a valued member of our Land team, you’ll play a crucial role in delivering essential services related to land acquisition, valuation, compulsory purchase, compensation, landowner engagement, land access, wayleaves, consents, and negotiations. We are currently delivering an exciting portfolio of projects across the UK and Ireland, driving expansion across all areas to expand our current teams and locations.

We deliver land services across various sectors and with a variety of clients such as National Grid, East West Rail Co, Network Rail, Heathrow Airport, Eirgrid, Transport for Infrastructure Ireland, National Gas, SSE, Transport Scotland, amongst others. This role can be based in any of our offices across the UK and Ireland with the flexibility of hybrid working between one of these locations and home. There is scope for a suitable candidate to be located away from the current office locations, but with availability for regular travel to site and appropriate office location.

• Negotiating access to and acquiring complex land for high profile, strategic infrastructure projects across the UK, 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 (such as DCO, CPO, TCPA, TWAO, Hybrid Bills) on behalf of WSP clients across highways, rail, aviation, water, gas and all energy sectors including renewables.
• Negotiation of Heads of Terms for large scale, complex landowners to secure land for projects in timely fashion utilising the appropriate mechanism.
• Liaising with major landowners’ land agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients.
• Managing and settling compensation claims (eg DCO, CPO, land damage, voluntary etc).
• Experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations across the UK.
• Demonstrated experience in supporting and/or developing a team of early career professionals providing both technical training and career development support.
• Participation within the management team, propelling the team forward and advancing its growth and development.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven track record in the leading delivery of land and property related services.
• Experience of negotiating with complex landowners and robust knowledge of the legal process for the acquisition of property and rights.
• Understanding of landownership and occupation across the UK and the implication this can have for securing agreements for DNOs and developers, including structure of agricultural tenancies/ agreements.
• Experience of managing and settling a range of voluntary and compulsory purchase compensation claims.
• Experience of high-profile infrastructure development schemes in particular the road, rail, gas, electricity or renewable energy sector.
• Broad knowledge across any of the relevant legislation and procedures: 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.
• Associate or full Membership to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or other professional membership (desirable but not essential).

We will consider candidates that have relevant transferable skills in land and consents management therefore fully demonstrating all of the above role requirements is not essential.

As a part of the WSP Land Team you would work to deliver land acquisition, land access, formal consents, statutory orders and compensation agreements. Our clients develop major highway, rail, energy and renewable infrastructure projects, all of which impact privately owned land. You will work as part of a team of Land Specialists assisting in the liaison with landowners that may be affected by development, obtaining the appropriate land consents, gaining access and where necessary compensating them for the impact caused by the scheme.

As part of our Land Team you will combine office, home and on-site working to support the delivery of land access and land acquisition projects through the identification of land ownership, consultation with landowners, undertaking property valuation, assessing and negotiating compensation, combining skills in GIS, data management and landowner engagement.

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.

• 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.

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.