Senior Development / Transport Planner in Newcastle upon Tyne

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.

We are seeking an enthusiastic Senior Consultant to support our regional Development Team in Newcastle, specialising in Transport / Civil Engineering for Development Planning. You will work within a team providing sustainable development solutions from site selection through to planning approvals and implementation. The development planning transport work involves providing specialist advice to private sector and some local authority clients on residential and mixed‑use development led and masterplanning projects, including on access, transportation and infrastructure issues, and supporting development proposals through the planning process.

The team takes a strategic lead role on many large multi‑disciplinary projects, and works closely with our planning, infrastructure design, structures, and transport and environmental teams. The team also works closely with other WSP disciplines on high‑profile major multi‑disciplinary development projects across the north of England, Scotland and N. Ireland and also supporting international projects. You can expect to be active on several projects and client accounts at any given time. You will report to a senior member of the Development Team.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing day to day support in the delivery of concept studies / strategies, Transport Statements, Transport Assessments, Travel Plans, Parking Studies, Access Studies, Movement and Access Studies with a hands‑on role, leading to planning applications, post‑permission and discharge of planning condition works.
• Providing proactive management and leadership to secure all‑round collaborative, cooperative and harmonious working relationships, with clients, colleagues, and staff.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with key clients based upon achievement of excellence in service provision with high levels of technical competence and client satisfaction.
• Keeping up-to-date with relevant standards and policies; raise WSP profile by networking, and attending conferences.
• You will be supported by a team of experienced and developing technical staff of various grades, to whom you will be expected to provide guidance and support as appropriate.
• Involvement in high‑profile client engagement, stakeholder management, design team liaison (both internal and external multidisciplinary professionals) and project management.
• Being responsible, or actively engaged depending on experience, for ensuring your projects are delivered to budget, programme, technical standards and legal requirements.

Your Team

The Development Team is a well‑established and high performing discipline within the Planning and Development business unit which includes over 800 colleagues focused on project delivery through the whole project life cycle, from initial land acquisition, planning support and design, through to scheme implementation.

Our vision is to be recognised as the best Development team in the industry. We strive to achieve this through continuous improvement and a management structure comprising of four pillars, namely; Technical Excellence, People, Clients and Operational Excellence.

We help our clients to promote, implement and manage sustainable development, from pre‑feasibility through to planning consent; establish plans and provision for how an area, its accessibility and needs, will develop over time and guide sustainable future development; and develop multi‑disciplinary design from concept through to detailed design and construction.

We work with public/private sector land promoters and house builders, developers, signature architects, Government, and local authorities. Some of the multi‑disciplinary services we provide that you will help deliver include:

• Site appraisal, due diligence, and strategic planning advice;
• Concept studies / strategies;
• Transport Statements / Transport Assessments and Travel Plans;
• Parking Demand Studies;
• Access Studies;
• Movement and Access Studies.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• A numerate first degree in Transport, Mathematics, Geography, Civil Engineering, Planning or a related subject.
• Experience of operating as a lead client contact for consultancy services and fostering of excellent relationships with Clients and co‑professionals.
• Communication skills, with a clear track record of presenting compelling written work in support of development proposals.
• Knowledge of appropriate transport planning guidance and best practice.
• Significant experience of delivering a wide range of transport planning projects across a number of specialist areas including development planning, scheme delivery, sustainable transport and active travel, junction design (priority, roundabout, signals) and knowledge of relevant standards.
• A working knowledge of junction modelling software, for example Junctions 9 (PICADY & ARCADY) and Linsig, with sufficient experience to be able to mentor others in the use of these programmes and interpret and challenge the results returned by them.
• A high level of numeracy with problem‑solving skills and innovative thinking.
• Significant experience and capability in financially and programme managing projects using appropriate business tools.
• Experience of team management responsibilities including line management and day‑to‑day operations.
• A robust knowledge of the financial and contractual aspects of planning, bidding, and delivering both large and small projects.
• Postgraduate experience and are nearing Chartership or have equivalent commercial experience and responsibility.

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.

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 programme, 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.