Associate Land Consultant UK wide

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.

The Role

We are the largest and most successful Land business supporting infrastructure development in the UK and Ireland, with 300+ specialist professional colleagues consisting of land consultants, property specialists, project managers and utility and topographical surveyors. We have the widest portfolio of projects available in our industry, offering unrivalled opportunities to both develop and diversify careers, working on some of the most exciting and challenging projects across the whole of the UK and Ireland. We are looking to add further expertise to our growing team and seek talented individuals with varying levels of knowledge of Land Referencing.

Joining WSP, you will have access to our Land Academy which is designed and delivered by our expert Land team for our Land team, with a focus on providing the best standard training and CPD across the industry and support and guidance to achieve your chartership. With a network of experts available to guide, we support your management and ownership of your own projects, client advisory, line management, presentation, training and leadership skills. We will support you to hone and develop your skills to deliver the most exciting projects in the UK - your work with us really makes a difference to the legacy of infrastructure in the UK.

The role can be based in one of WSP’s many offices across the UK or Ireland including with the flexibility of hybrid working between one of these locations and from home.

Core Functions

• Lead a team of technical specialists to ensure successful delivery of projects securely, on time, within budget and to high standards.
• Be a trusted advisor to clients (externally and internally) and manage relationships.
• Advise on Land issues across the UK and Ireland, including at least some of the relevant statutory processes to acquire land such as DCOs, DNOs, hybrid Bills, Scottish Bills, TWA, T&CPA, CPOs, Motorway Orders, Vesting Orders, etc.
• Secure land rights for high profile, strategic infrastructure projects across all sectors.
• Liaise with landowners, land agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients.
• Work closely with Land team colleagues and collaborate with engineering, environmental, and planning teams both within WSP and as part of project supply chains.
• Lead quality assurance of deliverables in relation to the identification of land interests and rights, negotiation of access to land for surveys, consents and acquisition of land rights for large scale development projects, as well as land acquisition and planning applications.
• Promote WSP’s services and contribute to business development across the energy, highway, rail, water, local government and aviation sectors.
• Support our drive for quality and the sharing of knowledge and lessons across regions and projects.
• Develop efficient working practices and promote innovation in the team to provide industry-leading, best-value services to our clients.
• Ensure that the team has the necessary skills and resources to deliver successful projects and grow the business.
• People management as a leader and role model.
• Manage, motivate, mentor and develop staff and contribute to the development and delivery of the business strategy.
• Support/lead the writing of bids/tenders to secure opportunities from internal and external clients.
• Lead delivery of training on technical topics by contributing to and participating in our CPD-accredited Land Academy.
• UK and Ireland travel plus the possibility of travel to WSP’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

• Expertise in urban and/or rural environment, property, communities and stakeholders.
• Experience and an industry profile/reputation in working on infrastructure development schemes with multi-disciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations.
• Experience of negotiating commercial terms with landowners and knowledge of the legal process for the acquisition of wayleaves and easement and negotiated access.
• Demonstrable experience of reducing land risk for clients and advising them on land-related matters throughout all stages of a project lifecycle.
• Proven track record of the development of Orders, etc and/or acquisition of consents and interests in land, and knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Motivated and able to work in a team and on own initiative, being able to work under pressure and deliver high quality outputs.
• Strong landowner and public engagement skills.
• Good business and IT skills.
• Excellent adherence to quality assurance and good document management skills.
• A degree in Geography, Land/Estate Management, Agriculture or similar.
• Chartership or membership of a relevant professional body would be advantageous.
• The ability to travel effectively to various sites/locations is a necessary function of this role.

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. 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.

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.
• We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity. 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.
• 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.