At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engagement on major infrastructure projects and connect with communities.
- Company: WSP, a global leader in infrastructure and engagement.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and opportunities to work on impactful projects.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and make a real difference in the North region.
- Why this job: Shape the future of communities while working on landmark projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in consultation and engagement on large infrastructure projects.
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 (North Region Lead) in Manchester employer: WSP
WSP is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Leeds that fosters professional growth and development through initiatives like the Land Academy. With a strong emphasis on hybrid working arrangements, employees enjoy a healthy work-life balance while engaging in meaningful projects that shape urban and rural landscapes across the UK and Ireland.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Director - Engagement & Consultation (North Region Lead) in Manchester
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Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Technical Director - Engagement & Consultation (North Region Lead) at WSP!
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Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Technical Director - Engagement & Consultation (North Region Lead) role at WSP!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director - Engagement & Consultation (North Region Lead) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at WSP. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
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How to prepare for a job interview at WSP
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
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Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
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As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at WSP. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
