Land Consultant (various levels) - London, Manchester, Birmingham, Guildford

Job Description

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.

WSP's Land team is the largest and most experienced of its kind, with a long-standing presence across the UK, in Ireland and in India as the industry's number one service provider. We deliver the full lifecycle of infrastructure projects, from route selection, land referencing to acquisition, compensation and final project delivery. With our multi-disciplinary colleagues in the largest global engineering and environmental consultancy, we have the widest portfolio of projects available, supporting clients in the energy, transport and development sectors to deliver faster, greener, fairer and better outcomes to projects across the UK, Ireland and beyond. WSP Land's integrated team of over 250 specialist brings together expertise in land mapping, surveying, engagement, valuation, land referencing, digital data management and security, land referencing, statutory consents and project management. Through our dedicated Land Academy, we invest in our people to support them realize their potential via the RICS, RGS, APM and other professional routes. Whether it's securing access for net zero infrastructure or guiding landowners through complex statutory process, WSP Land leads with professionalism, empathy and technical excellence, making the most important and challenging infrastructure projects a reality. Come and explore how you can be part of WSP's success.

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:

• Manchester and Leeds
• Birmingham
• London, Guildford and Cambridge

Associate Land Consultant role

• Lead teams of technical specialists to direct the delivery of some of the UK's most exciting projects on time, within budget and to high standards
• Be a trusted advisor to clients (externally and internally), manage key relationships and provide strategic project advice
• Advise on Land issues under relevant statutory processes to acquire land and land rights including DCOs, TWAO, CPO and hybrid Bills as well as wayleaves etc
• 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 infrastructure development projects
• Lead delivery and development of technical training
• 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
• Play an active role in the growth of the business across the electricity, highway, rail, water, telecoms, gas and renewable energy sectors
• Promote and support adherence to all WSP H&S procedures and standards
• Manage, motivate, mentor and develop professional colleagues
• Contribute to the delivery of the business strategy
• As part of a global business, collaborate with other WSP disciplines including engineering, environmental, and planning teams to optimize WSP's service to our wide client portfolio
• 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 lead a team of land consultants to deliver land referencing or land assembly services on infrastructure projects to programme and budget
• Detailed knowledge and experience of statutory requirements, such as a DCOs, TWAOs, CPOs, hybrid Bills or wayleaving. An understanding of the land and property industry
• Evidence of leading teams to deliver complex work
• Experience providing technical guidance and advice to clients and building strong relationships
• Evidence of leadership skills and excellent communication and organizational skills and ability to liaise at all levels with both internal and external shareholders
• Confidence to promote our services both internally and externally
• Highly motivated and with excellent industry network
• Experience in infrastructure development, land referencing and property-related working practices
• Experience 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 easements
• Demonstrable experience of reducing land risk for clients and advising them on land-related matters throughout all stages of a project lifecycles
• Good business and IT skills
• A degree in Geography, Agriculture, Land or Estate Management or similar
• Chartership or membership or a Professional body would be advantageous
• A full driving licence is essential

Senior Land Consultant role

• Managing the project delivery of statutory processes for the acquisition of land and land rights such as such DCO, TWAO, CPO, hybrid Bill as well as wayleaves, etc
• Project Management of land projects on time, within budget and to high standards
• Ensure that WSP H&S procedures and standards 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 as well as land agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, contractors, clients and supply chain partners
• Work closely with Land team colleagues and collaborate with WSP teams in the engineering, environmental, planning and engagement disciplines
• Management and development of a team of early career professionals providing both technical training and professional career development support
• 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 or Estate Management, or similar
• Project management experience in the delivery of land referencing, land access, landowner engagement services and statutory processes on infrastructure development projects
• Experience of negotiating with landowners and knowledge of the legal process for the acquisition of wayleaves/easements/servitudes desirable
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams
• Demonstrable experience of reducing land risk for clients and advising them on land-related matters throughout all stages of a project lifecycles
• Proven track record of the development of Orders and/or acquisition of consents and interests in land, and knowledge of relevant legislation
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with colleagues, landowners and client at all levels.
• Ability to communicate effectively with strong influencing and negotiating skills
• Knowledge of the rural environment and farming practices would be desirable
• Chartership or membership or a Professional body would be advantageous
• A full driving licence is essential

Land Consultant role

• Land referencing activities, including online land registry searches, desktop research, questionnaire analysis and archival investigations to identify legal land interests and rights.
• Consulting with landowners to confirm land and landownership details and agree access for surveys
• Consulting with landowners to explain proposed scheme, programme, discuss potential impacts and ensure accurate consultation notes are taken and uploaded to our consultation database
• Liaising as required with land agents, auctioneers, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients
• Ensuring that WSP H&S procedures and standards are adhered to for all site work
• Preparation of Orders and relevant statutory processes to acquire land and land rights
• Negotiation of wayleaves
• Negotiation of Heads of Terms to secure land or land rights
• Work closely with Land team colleagues and collaborate with other WSP teams in engineering, environmental, planning and engagement disciplines
• Management of junior members of Land team providing support and technical training and support
• UK travel

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

• Degree or equivalent experience in Geography, Land or Estate Management or a relevant discipline
• Experience of delivering land referencing, land access, landowner engagement services on infrastructure development projects
• Experience of negotiating with landowners and knowledge of the legal process for the acquisition of wayleaves/easements/servitudes desirable
• Experience of working with multi-disciplinary teams
• Experience of development of Orders and/or acquisition of consents and interests in land, and knowledge of relevant legislation
• Experience of infrastructure development schemes
• Good interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with colleagues, landowners, clients and supply chain partners
• Ability to communicate effectively with good influencing and negotiating skills
• Knowledge of the rural environment and farming practices would be desirable
• Membership or a Professional body would be advantageous.
• A full driving 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.

#L1-JC2

About Us

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

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.