Technical Director Land in Scotland

WSP's Land team is seeking talented Land professionals to join the largest and most successful team in the industry. This role involves land referencing, land acquisition, land access, statutory consents and stakeholder engagement across major infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and technical direction on WSP Land projects.
• Demonstrate excellent stakeholder engagement to ensure successful land identification, securing land rights and land acquisition through negotiation and/or statutory powers.
• Drive a high-performance culture, fostering collaboration and sharing purpose to deliver exceptional project and organisational outcomes.
• Demonstrate exemplary leadership in working with senior colleagues across WSP Land.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to both internal and external clients, proactively engaging with client capture teams and Key Client Managers (KCMs) to strengthen relationships and identify new opportunities.
• Oversee the successful delivery of projects, ensuring they are completed on schedule, within budget and to the highest technical and quality standards.
• Lead business development initiatives for WSP Land in the Energy, Water and Rail sectors, targeting new projects and client growth.
• Collaborate closely with other WSP disciplines—including Engineering, Engagement, Environmental and Planning teams—to identify and capitalize on multidisciplinary and strategic growth opportunities.
• Champion the profile and technical reputation of WSP Land across public forums, social media, targeted business sectors and professional and academic circles.
• Lead the preparation and review of high-quality bids and tenders, ensuring technical excellence and competitiveness in securing new business.
• Implement succession planning and engage in targeted recruitment to maintain and enhance the technical capabilities of WSP Land.
• Conduct high-level project and business reviews to support effective risk and opportunity management, ensuring long-term success and resilience.
• Champion WSP culture of health, safety & wellbeing (HS&W).
• Ensure adherence to Quality Assurance and development processes.
• Ensure adherence to Data Protection and develop related processes.
• Champion core pillars – growth, delivery, quality, digital innovation and excellence.
• Support Ireland and UK travel as required.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in overseeing and directing the delivery of land services at a senior level.
• Comprehensive expertise in land consents, stakeholder consultation and landowner engagement for major infrastructure projects.
• Extensive experience collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams across diverse sectors and geographies, guiding projects through every stage of development.
• Demonstrated success in mitigating land-related risks and providing strategic advice on land matters throughout the project lifecycle.
• Significant experience in Public Inquiries and Oral Hearings, including effective management of objections and complex stakeholder issues.
• Consistent track record in fostering repeat business and expanding service offerings with existing clients.
• Proven ability to secure and develop business opportunities with new clients, contributing to organisational growth.
• Substantial experience in authoring, managing and approving bids and tenders at a senior level.
• Expertise in resource strategy, including talent development, succession planning and aligning team capability with business growth objectives.
• Outstanding engagement skills with landowners and the public, focusing on building trust and fostering positive relationships.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with the ability to represent the business at the highest levels.
• Strong team leadership and collaborative working skills, engaging effectively at all organisational levels.
• Ability to cultivate robust relationships with senior clients, key stakeholders and executive management colleagues.
• Resilience and composure under pressure, consistently delivering high-quality outputs to demanding deadlines.
• Advanced business acumen and IT proficiency, ensuring efficient and innovative project delivery.
• Commitment to quality assurance, data protection, and exemplary Health and Safety standards.
• Degree qualified in Geography, Agriculture, Land and Estate Management or a closely related discipline.
• Chartered status or membership of a recognised professional body is highly desirable.
• Full, clean driving licence is essential.

Benefits

• Flexible working patterns, competitive salaries and other benefits.
• Hybrid working policy allows working from home up to two days a week.
• Health & Wellbeing programmes, virtual GP service, gymflex scheme, menopause support, flexible leave options, and investment in development and training are all part of our employee benefits package.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: 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.