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

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. You’ll be encouraged to explore innovative solutions in a culture that values curiosity, technical excellence, and diverse perspectives.

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.

You’ll lead some of the UK’s most significant and transformative infrastructure projects, delivering services such as planning applications, Environmental Assessment (EA) / Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), route optioneering, site selection, stakeholder engagement and DCO examinations and planning inquiries. This is a post which is of strategic significance for our business and represents a challenging and exciting opportunity to identify, win and deliver multi-disciplinary inputs for energy T&D, hydrogen and CCUS.

We require people with creative spirit, a dedicated approach and a solid grounding in environmental design, assessment and management at any stage of the development project lifecycle.

Join a great organisation. As a Technical Director, you will lead and collaborate with a diverse team of technical specialists and design professionals to oversee environmental contributions across project designs and assessments. You will provide leadership in improving the environmental performance for a range of energy T&D projects. The role would suit an enthusiastic individual looking to influence, lead and deliver environmental elements of energy T&D infrastructure.

You will have responsibility for directing and leading projects informing and influencing recruitment, bidding, project team leadership, project delivery, and financial management. 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. Undertaking actions that contribute towards the success of the WSP business strategy, whilst being self-motivated towards goals relevant to the role, team, and your projects.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate… 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. Understanding of how these processes integrate with the planning system and EA / EIA for overhead lines, substations, pipelines, cable routes or network upgrade schemes.

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.

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.

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 devoted to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

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 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.

#WeAreWSP 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.