Technical Director, EIA - Transmission & Distribution ( London & South East) in Reading

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… Energy transmission and distribution (T&D) are the backbone of modern society—powering homes, industries, and economies across the UK and around the world. At WSP, we bring deep expertise from delivering transformative T&D projects that enhance grid resilience, enable energy transition, and enable integration of renewable energy sources.

With a strong track record across the UK and internationally, our teams work on high-profile infrastructure projects that shape the future of energy. As one of the largest environmental and engineering consultancies in the UK, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to landmark T&D, hydrogen, and Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS) initiatives and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry.

With the continued growth of the UK energy T&D sector—including hydrogen transmission networks and CCUS clusters—comes increased scrutiny and a more complex consenting environment. As a Technical Director in our Environmental Consents team, you’ll play a lead role in navigating this evolving landscape—supporting the development and upgrade of energy and electricity infrastructure through strategic planning, environmental advice, and technical studies.

• Playing a lead role in growing our energy T&D sector offer, working with sector leads and client account managers to drive thought leadership and win new business.
• Providing environmental advice and support to clients, project directors, managers and colleagues.
• Working with colleagues, environmental specialists, clients and engineering teams to promote sustainable design and environmental enhancement.
• Leading large, multiple, and complex projects, overseeing our performance on technical, quality, commercial, and health and safety.
• Build strong client relationships and identify opportunities to support project strategy, resourcing and delivery.
• Undertaking activities to secure new work, including developing proposals for complex opportunities, delivering strategic level bids and framework opportunities, and undertaking business development opportunities.
• Champion innovation through approaches such as Digital EIA, Technical Excellence and Future Ready.
• Driving performance improvement and career advancement opportunities across team.
• Promote an inclusive and positive team environment, acting as a trusted advisor and mentor.
• Promoting an inclusive workplace, demonstrating an understanding of Health and Safety whilst living the values of our health, safety, and wellbeing culture.

• Relevant environmental or planning degree (or equivalent experience), with chartered status or actively working towards chartership.
• Depth of experience in delivering EIA for T&D schemes, including under a range of UK planning regimes such as the Electricity Act, Town and Country Planning Act and the Planning Act 2008.
• A detailed knowledge of relevant consenting processes associated with energy and electricity transmission and distribution projects, including Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Environmental Permit applications, Marine applications etc.
• A track record of leading client communications and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, regulators, and the public, with a strong understanding of public consultation and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Knowledge of emerging environmental and planning policy trends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong report writing and review capabilities, attention to detail, and a focus on quality assurance.
• A strong understanding of health and safety principles and their application in environmental consenting and infrastructure development, including risk assessment, mitigation planning, and compliance with relevant legislation and industry standards.
• Proven people management experience and a track record of developing and upskilling internal teams.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to strategic planning, win new work through bids and proposals, and enhance reputation in the energy T&D sector.

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.

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 are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.