Principal / Associate / Associate Director - SEA and Sustainability Appraisals

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.

Following recent client successes, we have an opportunity for a senior position to join the team to help deliver projects and grow our services. This will include enabling clients in a variety of sectors respond to the challenges of new plan and programme development e.g., Water Resource Regional Plans, Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans, Circular Economy Plans, Carbon Plans and Local Plans by ensuring that social, economic, and environmental considerations are adequately integrated, and opportunities for environmental enhancement taken.

As one of the largest environmental consultancies in the UK, you'll get the opportunity to contribute to assessment and appraisal projects both in the public and private sectors collaborating with some of the brightest minds in the industry. You'll be encouraged to explore new ideas in a culture that values curiosity and diverse perspectives.

Our projects are varied in nature, but all require skills in project management/coordination, communication, and negotiation. The assessments are often being applied to novel plans and require a wide appreciation of policy and proposals and their effects. Current clients include; Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), Nuclear Waste Services, United Utilities, Welsh Water, multiple Local Authorities and numerous others.

We are constantly reviewing our approach to delivery to make optimal use of new integrated assessment tools that build on our experience and the complementary technical skills and services that we can access. This position represents an excellent opportunity to develop professionally as an individual via the continued growth of our business over the next few years.

This is a position which is of significance for our business and represents a challenging and exciting opportunity to identify, win and deliver new work. We need people with creative spirit, a dedicated approach and a solid grounding in environmental appraisal and assessment space.

A little more about your role...

As a Principal an Associate or Associate Director, you will collaborate with a diverse team of technical specialists and professionals to lead and coordinate environmental contributions. You will be instrumental in enhancing the performance of our appraisal and assessment projects for a range of our clients.

The role would suit an enthusiastic individual looking to influence, lead and deliver environmental appraisal and assessment projects. You will have responsibility for leading and coordinating projects including tasks relating to recruitment, bidding, project team management, project delivery, and financial management.

• Playing a role in growing our assessment and appraisal offer, working with sector leads and client account managers to drive thought leadership and win new business.
• Build strong client relationships and identify opportunities to support project strategy, resourcing and delivery.
• Take responsibility for defining medium and long-term market opportunities, and contribute towards developing appropriate business plans
• Taking responsibility for scoping individual commissions, preparing proposals and winning work
• Providing project/task management to our multi-disciplinary teams working on projects across the UK and overseas. Work will involve client facing activity and managing projects and subcontractors
• Working with colleagues, environmental specialists, and clients to promote and deliver evidence lead outcomes from assessment and appraisal work, taking responsibility for the delivery of high-quality outputs.
• You will collaborate to design and implement new assessment tools, considering emerging and new practice
• Driving performance improvement and career advancement opportunities across team.
• Promote an inclusive and positive team environment, acting as a trusted advisor and mentor.
• Promoting an inclusive workplace, demonstrating an understanding of Health and Safety whilst living the values of our health, safety, and wellbeing culture.
• Undertaking actions that contribute towards the success of the WSP business strategy, whilst being self-motivated towards goals relevant to the role, team, and your projects.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate...

• Relevant environmental or planning degree (or equivalent experience), with chartered status or actively working towards chartership.
• Demonstrable experience contributing to successful delivery of SEA and or SA to clients in the public and private sector
• A firm understanding of SEA regulatory requirements, emerging case law and implications
• Experience of working with Integrated Impact Assessment, Health Impact Assessment and Equalities Impact Assessment
• Familiarity with project and scheme development impacts in variety of sectors e.g., housing, water, waste and resources, energy
• Knowledge of emerging environmental and planning policy trends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong report writing and review capabilities, attention to detail, and a focus on quality assurance.
• Proven people management experience and a track record of developing and upskilling internal teams.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to strategic planning, win new work through bids and proposals, and enhance reputation in the assessment and appraisal sector.

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.

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.