Associate Director / Technical Director Soil Science in Leeds

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… At WSP, you’ll find yourself challenged in more fascinating and far-reaching ways than ever before. You’ll explore new and inspiring opportunities to make the most of your expertise, broaden your professional horizons and create exciting new possibilities for people, organisations and society in general. Our work involves infrastructure and development projects in most sectors, in particular energy transition, nuclear, rail, highways, and residential/commercial development.

You will be working on delivering a broad range of projects at various stages with the responsibility for managing projects (with appropriate supervision) including tasks relating to bidding, project team management, project delivery, and financial management. Soils are an important finite resource which underpin the majority of environmental services but are poorly understood. WSP is looking for an experienced Principal Soil Scientist to support the growth of our soil team, particularly working with colleagues in Ground & Water, Nature Advisory, Landscape, Environmental Planning, and Sustainability Policy & Compliance. You will join a small soil team to help expand our capabilities and help embed the understanding of soils across the business.

Your Team The role will be largely office based however it is anticipated that there will be periods on-site training junior staff and providing quality assurance on surveys. WSP has offices throughout the country; our priority is to find the right person for this challenging role and therefore the location is flexible. The role offers a flexible mix of working from home, with travel into a WSP office for team and client meetings/project work.

You will be someone who is an excellent relationship builder, highly organised, and adaptable with an awareness of commercial demands of consultancy work. Ideally you will have the ambition to assist in the growth of the team to address the rapidly growing demand for specialist soils scientists. At WSP you will find a friendly, supportive and motivated team of environmental and engineering professionals to help you succeed in your role.

You will lead and support fieldwork/site visits and produce written reports for Agricultural Land Classification (ALC), Soil Resource Assessment, and tailored assessments for inclusion in Environmental Statements and work with our Nature Advisory and Landscape teams supporting their Landscape and Ecological Management Plans. You will manage data to support technical reporting, provide advice and support to colleagues, liaise with clients, landowners, contractors, statutory authorities and third parties. The post will be within our Ground & Water team which is a service line in WSP's Earth & Environment business.

A typical week would include:

• Preparation of a range of soil and agricultural assessments in support of DCOs, EIAs, and construction projects.
• Managing and coordinating survey work.
• Supporting colleagues across the UK with project delivery, assisting in the preparation of fee proposals, business development and work winning duties.
• Being supported by a team of experienced technical staff of various grades, supporting in the training of junior staff and spreading your knowledge and enthusiasm to other environmental disciplines.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Degree level qualification in Soil Science, or similar (physical geology, environmental science) with 5-10 years relevant practical experience;
• Experience in completing Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) surveys, Soil Resource Surveys, Soil Classification and site supervision during construction works, to BSSS competency standards;
• A thorough grounding in H&S procedures (including CDM) for site work;
• A working knowledge of EIA methodology, for the preparation of Environmental Statements is desired but not essential;
• Experience of liaising with internal and external clients, contractors, planning authorities and stakeholders;
• Be able to demonstrate excellent communication and report writing skills;
• Registered with a relevant professional body (e.g. British Society Soil Science) and ideally chartered;
• A current working knowledge of UK environmental legislation, the implications of construction projects on agricultural land and an understanding of UK agricultural practice and business issues;
• Enjoy working as part of a team and taking ownership of project delivery;
• A working knowledge of applied GIS; and
• A full driving license and enjoy working outdoors.

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.

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.
• 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.