Associate / Associate Director - Transport Planning (Major Projects) in Southampton

Join to apply for the Associate / Associate Director - Transport Planning (Major Projects) role at WSP. 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.

A Little More About Your Role… We have an opportunity for an Associate or Associate Director (Transport Planning) to join our Transport and Mobility Planning Team. There is flexibility around the location of this role, with potential WSP home offices being our Birmingham, Cardiff, Southampton, Manchester, Leeds or London offices. WSP's hybrid working policy will allow for a mix of in‑office and home working. In this strategic role you will work alongside colleagues across the UK in the delivery of transport, traffic and related infrastructure projects, including NSIPs and DCO projects in the Energy and Industrial sectors across the UK.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead technical management and take commercial responsibility for our work on DCO/NSIP programmes and projects and lead the coordination of new proposals.
• Contribute to the development of medium / long term trend forecasts to inform business strategy and take strategic decisions on continued investment.
• Lead cross discipline collaboration by example and improve opportunities for intra‑business connectivity across the UK and beyond.
• Take personal responsibility for wellbeing, health and safety and act as a role model for direct reports and project staff.
• Keep up to date with relevant standards and policies; raise WSP profile by networking, and attending conferences as required.

What we will be looking for:

• Experience in managing and coordinating all aspects of transport assessments and strategies for major and/or complex projects.
• Experience delivering multi‑disciplinary projects and successfully engaging large teams in a hybrid/virtual environment.
• Experience engaging stakeholders at various levels including: local highway authorities, planning inspectorate, DfT, other transport bodies and the public.
• Effective communication, problem‑solving and critical thinking skills, adaptability to navigate change and strong negotiation, collaboration and organisational skills.
• Strong numerical, spatial, and analytical skills and excellent working knowledge of MS Office tools.
• Excellent knowledge of current transport policy at sub‑regional, regional and national level and knowledge of planning consent processes.

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.

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.

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.