Associate Director - Economics

WSP; City of Melbourne; Remote; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Competitive salary

16 weeks parental leave

Leave purchase options

Job summary

WSP Australia seeks an Associate Director - Economic Appraisal to lead the economic appraisal capability within our Water Economics, Policy & Strategy team. This leadership role focuses on delivering high-quality advisory services, developing people, and growing client relationships across water, infrastructure and government sectors.

You'll guide a portfolio of cross-disciplinary projects, mentor economists, and collaborate with technical specialists to shape investment decisions that deliver

Qualifications

• Degree in Economics, Commerce, Public Policy, Finance, Environmental Economics or related field.
• 10-15+ years experience in economic appraisal, infrastructure advisory, policy or investment analysis.
• Significant experience delivering business cases, economic evaluations and infrastructure investment assessments.
• Deep expertise in cost-benefit analysis and economic modelling.
• Strong understanding of Australian government investment frameworks and decision-making processes.
• Proven business development and client leadership skills.
• Demonstrated people leadership, mentoring and team development experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of complex economic appraisal assignments, including cost–benefit analysis, economic modelling, business case development and non‑market valuation.
• Provide trusted advice to senior executives, boards, government agencies and infrastructure clients.
• Direct and oversee project delivery, ensuring commercial, technical and client outcomes are achieved.
• Build and maintain relationships with water utilities, government agencies, regulators and private sector clients.
• Lead business development initiatives, pursue new opportunities and contribute to a strong pipeline of work.
• Manage a portfolio of projects, forecasting, resourcing, profitability, risk management and quality assurance.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high‑performing team of economists and consultants.
• Collaborate with technical specialists across WSP to deliver integrated solutions for clients.

Skills

Cost-benefit analysis

Economic modelling

Policy analysis

Education

Economics/Commerce/Public Policy/Finance/Environmental Economics degree

Job description

• Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
• Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
• Gold Coast Mc, Queensland, Australia
• Sunshine Coast Mc, Queensland, Australia

Job Description

Flexible location across Australia | Water Economics, Policy & Strategy

At WSP, you can contribute to nationally significant infrastructure decisions, influence government and utility investment priorities, and help shape the future of Australia's water sector.

We're seeking an experienced Associate Director - Economic Appraisal to lead and grow our economic appraisal capability within our Water Economics, Policy & Strategy team. This is a leadership opportunity for a commercially minded economics professional who is passionate about delivering high-quality advisory services, developing people, and growing client relationships across Australia's water, infrastructure and government sectors.

The Opportunity

As an Associate Director, you'll provide strategic and technical leadership across a diverse portfolio of economic appraisal and advisory projects. You'll lead multidisciplinary teams, strengthen client partnerships, drive business growth, and help guide investment decisions that deliver long‑term value for communities across Australia.

What You'll Do

• Lead the delivery of complex economic appraisal assignments, including cost‑benefit analysis, economic modelling, business case development and non‑market valuation.
• Provide trusted advice to senior executives, boards, government agencies and infrastructure clients.
• Direct and oversee project delivery, ensuring commercial, technical and client outcomes are achieved.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with water utilities, government agencies, regulators and private sector clients.
• Lead business development initiatives, pursue new opportunities and contribute to a strong pipeline of work.
• Manage a portfolio of projects, overseeing forecasting, resourcing, profitability, risk management and quality assurance.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high‑performing team of economists and consultants.
• Collaborate with technical specialists across WSP to deliver integrated solutions for clients.

About You

You'll be a respected economics professional with a strong consulting, government, utility or infrastructure background and a passion for leading both people and projects.

You'll bring:

• A degree in Economics, Commerce, Public Policy, Finance, Environmental Economics or a related discipline.
• 10-15+ years' experience in economic appraisal, infrastructure advisory, policy or investment analysis.
• Significant experience delivering business cases, economic evaluations and infrastructure investment assessments.
• Deep expertise in cost‑benefit analysis and economic modelling.
• A strong understanding of Australian government investment frameworks and decision‑making processes.
• Proven business development and work‑winning success.
• Strong client leadership skills, with the ability to engage and advise senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated people leadership, mentoring and team development experience.
• Outstanding communication skills and the ability to translate complex analysis into practical recommendations.

Why Join WSP?

At WSP, we're committed to creating future‑ready solutions for communities across Australia and around the world.

• Opportunities to work alongside leading economists, policy specialists and technical experts.
• Global career pathways backed by the scale and expertise of one of the world's leading professional services firms.
• Access to nationally significant water, infrastructure and advisory projects.
• A genuinely collaborative culture that supports growth, innovation and professional development.
• Competitive salary and a comprehensive suite of employee benefits.
• Flexible working arrangements designed to support your lifestyle and wellbeing.
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave and additional leave purchase options.

About WSP

WSP is one of the world's leading engineering and professional services consulting firms. Our Water business partners with utilities, governments and industry to solve some of Australia's most complex water challenges, helping create more resilient and sustainable communities.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.