Land Consultant (various levels)

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WSP’s Land team is seeking talented Land Consultants, at various levels, to join our Midlands, South and North teams in our modern city centre offices in Birmingham, London, Guildford, Cambridge, Basingstoke, Manchester and Leeds. This is an exciting opportunity to become part of our WSP Land Team in the delivery of land referencing, landowner engagement, consultation management, land access, formal consents, statutory orders, compensation agreements and land acquisition in support of strategic infrastructure development projects across the UK and Ireland.

We work with a range of clients including National Grid, Network Rail, Highways England, HS2, Tideway, Drax Power Limited and various local councils on some of the largest National Infrastructure projects in the country. Due to the range of projects we work on and clients we work with, our team are exposed to a range of different planning applications and the relevant intricacies that go along with them. The infrastructure projects that we deliver affect the communities around us, giving us an opportunity to make a difference. We have a strong culture of collaboration aiming to provide the best possible service to our clients. Many of our Energy projects are critical for the deployment of renewable energy, helping the UK economy to achieve net zero carbon emissions.

We are the largest Land Referencing business in the UK and Ireland and work closely with property specialists, utility and topographical surveyors and engagement specialists delivering land services on a variety of projects across the energy, water, road, rail and active-travel sectors.

Associate Land Consultant role:

• Lead a team of technical specialists to direct successful delivery of projects on time, within budget and to high standards.
• Be a trusted advisor to clients (externally and internally) and manage relationships.
• Advise on Land issues including the relevant statutory processes to acquire land and land rights.
• Lead on quality assurance of deliverables in relation to the identification of land interests and rights.
• Lead delivery of training on technical topics.
• Develop efficient working practices and promote innovation in the team.
• Ensure that the team has the necessary skills and resources to deliver successful projects and grow the business.
• Promote and support adherence to all WSP H&S procedures.
• Manage, motivate, mentor and develop staff.
• Contribute to the delivery of the business strategy.
• Promote Land services and contribute to business development across various sectors.
• Collaborate with other WSP Disciplines including engineering, environmental, and planning teams.
• Support the writing of bids/tenders to secure opportunities from internal and external clients.
• UK travel.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate:

• Successfully led a team of land consultants to deliver land referencing or land assembly services on infrastructure projects.
• Detailed knowledge and experience of Statutory Order requirements.
• Evidence of leading teams to deliver complex work.
• Experience providing technical guidance and advice to clients.
• Evidence of leadership skills and excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Confidence to promote our services both internally and externally.
• Highly motivated and with excellent industry network.
• Experience in rural environment, property, communities and agricultural working practices.
• Experience working on infrastructure development schemes with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience of negotiating commercial terms with landowners.
• Demonstrable experience of reducing land risk for clients.
• Good business and IT skills.
• A degree in Geography, Agriculture, Land and Estate Management or similar.
• Chartership or membership of a Professional body would be advantageous.
• A full drivers’ licence is essential.

Senior Land Consultant role:

• Managing the project delivery of statutory processes for the acquisition of land and land rights.
• Project Management of Land projects on time, within budget and to high standards.
• Ensure that WSP H&S procedures are adhered to for all site work.
• Negotiation of Heads of Terms to secure land or land rights for projects.
• Liaise with key stakeholders and landowners.
• Work closely with Land team colleagues and collaborate with WSP teams.
• Management and development of a team of early career professionals.
• Contribute to business development and the delivery of the business strategy.
• UK travel.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate:

• Degree or equivalent experience in Geography, Land and Estate Management, Agriculture or a relevant discipline.
• Project Management experience in the delivery of land referencing, land access, landowner engagement services.
• Experience of negotiating with landowners.
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrable experience of reducing land risk for clients.
• Proven track record of the development of Orders and/or acquisition of consents.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Knowledge of the rural environment and farming practices would be desirable.
• Chartership or membership of a Professional body would be advantageous.
• A full drivers’ licence is essential.

Land Consultant role:

• Land referencing activities, including online land registry searches, desktop research, questionnaire analysis and archival investigations.
• Consulting with landowners to confirm land and landownership details.
• Consulting with landowners to explain proposed scheme and discuss potential impacts.
• Liaising with land agents, auctioneers, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients.
• Ensuring that WSP H&S procedures are adhered to for all site work.
• Preparation of Orders and relevant statutory processes to acquire land and land rights.
• Negotiation of Wayleaves and Heads of Terms.
• Work closely with Land team colleagues and collaborate with other WSP teams.
• Management of junior members of Land Team providing support and technical training.
• UK travel.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate:

• Degree or equivalent experience in Geography, Land and Estate Management, Agriculture or a relevant discipline.
• Experience of delivering land referencing, land access, landowner engagement services.
• Experience of negotiating with landowners.
• Experience of working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience of development of Orders and/or acquisition of consents.
• Experience of infrastructure development schemes.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with good influencing and negotiating skills.
• Knowledge of the rural environment and farming practices would be desirable.
• Membership of a Professional body would be advantageous.
• A full drivers’ licence is essential.

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.