Senior Planner / Public Engagement Specialist

WSP in Canada; Calgary; On-site; CAD 123,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top 100 Employer in Canada

Flexible work options

Job summary

WSP in Canada seeks a Senior Planner / Public Engagement Specialist to lead planning and engagement on infrastructure, environment, and policy projects across Canada. You will mentor teams, design engagement programs, and translate complex information into clear materials to support defensible decisions.

Applicants should have 12+ years of senior planning experience, a planning degree, and an RPP designation.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of senior-level professional planning experience with public engagement expertise.
• Degree in planning, urban/regional planning, geography or related field; RPP required.
• Experience leading engagement with diverse stakeholders and Indigenous organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead integrated planning and engagement assignments across infrastructure and policy projects.
• Design and deliver inclusive engagement programs with multi-stakeholder groups.
• Translate technical information into clear materials for meaningful participation.

Skills

Senior planning experience

Public engagement

Facilitation

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning or related discipline

Registered Professional Planner (RPP)

Tools

IAP2 knowledge

Job description

Job Description

What if you could redefine what’s possible?With us, you can. You want

Job Description What if you could redefine what’s possible?With us, you can. You want Purpose. Growth. Opportunity. People who get it. We are the home of ambitious, passionate, and innovative world shapers. With an unmatched breadth and depth of engineering, advisory and science-based expertise, our global minds unite to power local solutions. We are pathfinders and impact makers. We are Visioneers. We are WSP. The Opportunity Build the Future With Us Bring together planning expertise and meaningful public engagement to help communities, governments, and organizations navigate complex decisions and shape better outcomes. As a Senior Planner / Public Engagement Specialist, you will provide senior planning expertise while leading engagement, consultation, and facilitation on projects spanning infrastructure, environment, climate resilience, policy, community development, and strategic planning. You will work with multidisciplinary teams, connecting planning principles, technical considerations, and community perspectives to support thoughtful, practical, and defensible decision-making. Your planning background will enable you to understand and contribute to the broader project context, while your engagement expertise will help ensure communities and stakeholders are meaningfully involved throughout the process. Your Impact

• Lead integrated planning and engagement assignments, bringing together technical information, planning considerations, and community perspectives to support informed decision-making.
• Provide senior planning expertise on projects involving community development, infrastructure, environment, climate resilience, policy, and strategic planning.
• Design and deliver inclusive engagement and consultation programs for complex, multi-stakeholder projects, applying recognized engagement principles and practices.
• Facilitate workshops, meetings, and collaborative processes with communities, clients, stakeholders, Indigenous organizations, governments, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Translate complex planning, policy, and technical information into clear and accessible materials and conversations that enable meaningful participation.
• Integrate engagement findings into planning processes, strategies, recommendations, and project outcomes, helping teams understand how community and stakeholder input informs decisions.
• Advise and mentor project teams on planning and engagement approaches, contributing to thoughtful, consistent, and defensible project delivery.
• Contribute to proposals, client relationships, and the continued growth and development of integrated planning and engagement services.

The Skills That Set You Apart

• 12+ years of senior‑level professional planning experience combined with demonstrated expertise in public engagement and facilitation, including experience working on complex, multidisciplinary projects.
• A degree in planning, urban or regional planning, geography, environmental studies, public policy, or a related discipline.
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) designation is required.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to or leading planning processes, such as community, municipal, regional, policy, infrastructure, environmental, or strategic planning initiatives.
• Strong experience designing and facilitating engagement and consultation processes involving diverse communities, stakeholders, clients, Indigenous organizations, and governments.
• Knowledge of IAP2 principles and practices and experience applying them to engagement programs; IAP2 training or certification is considered an asset.
• Experience working in complex, multidisciplinary environments, with the ability to connect planning objectives, technical information, policy considerations, and stakeholder perspectives.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and advisory capabilities, including the ability to prepare clear engagement materials, planning-related deliverables, recommendations, and reports.

Why Choose WSP?

• Proudly Canadian – we are a Top 100 Employer in Canada for 2026.
• A global community of brilliant minds – your next idea, mentor, or opportunity is always within reach.
• Limitless opportunities start here. Whether it’s across the country or around the globe, we help you tailor your role to match your ambition - because your growth drives ours.
• Flexible work, real balance - we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours.

Compensation AB, BC, NT, NU, SK & YT: $122,900 - $162,800 MB & ON: $112,100 - $154,400 NB, NL, NS, PE & QC: $111,000 - $147