At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engagement on major infrastructure projects and connect with communities.
- Company: WSP, a global leader in infrastructure and engineering.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and opportunities to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with strong growth and development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape your career while making a real difference in communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in consultation and engagement on large projects; degree preferred.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Description
What if you could shape a career as unique as you?
At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you.
Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.
- A little more about your role…
- You’ll be joining WSP’s expanding UK wide
Engagement team of 75 plus as an experienced leader, where you’ll play a meaningful role in shaping how major projects connect with communities.
Working on some of the UK’s largest infrastructure programmes—as well as projects across the water, health, energy and environmental sectors —you’ll help deliver engagement that is thoughtful, impactful and built on best practice.
Recent contract and framework wins across the water, transport, energy and environmental sectors underpin strong growth over the next three years, with clients including National Grid, East West Rail Co, Nuclear Waste Services, the Environment Agency and others.
- As a member of the
- Engagement and Consultation Service Line Senior Leadership Team within our
Planning and Consents business, you will lead engagement delivery across major UK infrastructure projects, shape regional delivery models, lead distributed teams, build strategic client relationships, and drive excellence and innovation in engagement practice.
Key Responsibilities
Reporting to the Service Line Director for Engagement and Consultation, you will lead a regional team of communication and engagement experts.
You will play a key leadership role within the business with responsibility for managing new and existing projects, strengthening existing client relationships and developing new partnerships.
- Advising on stakeholder engagement and consultation
- Advise project teams and clients on engagement and consultation strategies for complex, multi‑disciplinary infrastructure projects.
- Ensure compliance with planning legislation, including DCO requirements and the Planning and Infrastructure Act (2025).
- Embed global best practice in communications, consultation and engagement.
- Plan and deliver stakeholder communications and consultations, including risk and issue management, public events and high‑quality outputs.
- Providing leadership across projects and teams
- Lead and support teams delivering engagement across complex infrastructure projects.
- Work collaboratively with multi‑disciplinary teams to integrate engagement into project delivery.
- Provide line management, coaching and development for engagement specialists.
- Drive team growth and capability across the North, with a regular presence in the Manchester office.
- Project management and commercial responsibility
- Take commercial and delivery responsibility for major infrastructure projects.
- Lead tender responses and support business development activity.
- Manage project resourcing, budgets, risks and programmes to ensure on‑time, on‑budget delivery.
- What we would be looking for you to demonstrate…
- Preferred qualifications / education
- Proven experience leading consultation and engagement on large, multi‑disciplinary infrastructure projects.
- Degree qualified or equivalent relevant professional experience.
- Membership of a relevant professional or trade body (desirable).
- Experience across road, rail, utilities, water, environment or energy sectors.
- Preferred competencies
- Collaborative leader with a strong track record of building and motivating high‑performing teams.
- Demonstrable line management experience, including delivering training and performance improvement initiatives.
- Proven ability to build and sustain stakeholder relationships in complex, high‑profile and politically sensitive environments.
- Confident decision‑maker, able to act on own initiative.
- Influential communicator with strong negotiation and problem‑solving skills.
- Strategic, structured and adaptable, with the ability to operate in fast‑paced environments.
- Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
The Consultancy hierarchy structure
- Assistant Consultant → Consultant → Senior Consultant → Principal Consultant → Associate → Associate Director →
- Technical Director
- → Director
- Find out more about our Engagement and Consultation team
To learn more about the work we do and the impact you could make, visit our Engagement and Consultation business page and explore what a career at WSP could offer you:
Stakeholder engagement and strategic communications | WSP
Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.
Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?
With us, you can. Apply today.
#LI-JT1
Technical Director - Engagement & Consultation in Manchester employer: WSP
WSP is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, providing employees with the opportunity to lead impactful projects in urban drainage and wastewater modelling. With a strong focus on professional development, our team members benefit from extensive training and growth opportunities, all while working in a hybrid environment that promotes work-life balance. Located across the UK, we offer a dynamic workplace where your contributions directly influence local and national infrastructure solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Director - Engagement & Consultation in Manchester
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We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director - Engagement & Consultation in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
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Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to WSP specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
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How to prepare for a job interview at WSP
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with WSP, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
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Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like WSP want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
