Senior Public Engagement Specialist

WSP in Canada; Calgary; On-site; CAD 111,000 - 163,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Top 100 Employer in Canada (2026)

Flexible work arrangements

Global opportunities

Job summary

WSP in Canada is seeking a Senior Public Engagement Specialist based in Calgary, with Edmonton as a nearby hub. You will lead high‑impact engagement and facilitation initiatives across infrastructure, environment, climate resilience, policy, and planning projects, mentoring teams and advancing engagement practice.

Based out of Calgary, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams nationwide, applying IAP2 values and standards while driving meaningful dialogue and trusted outcomes for

Qualifications

• More than 12 years of senior‑level engagement/facilitation experience in public and private sectors.
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) with cross‑sector experience.
• IAP2 Certificate in Public Participation (P2) is mandatory; additional IAP2 training is a plus.
• Certified Public Engagement Professional (CP3) designation is preferred but not required.
• Accredited/licensed engagement trainer status and IAP2 leadership experience are valued.
• Experience leading engagement across Canada in diverse contexts, including infrastructure, environment, policy, and planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead public engagement and facilitation projects across Canada with inclusive, transparent, and defensible outcomes.
• Apply IAP2 Core Values and Best Practices to design and deliver high‑quality programs.
• Mentor project teams and contribute to professional standards and thought leadership.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate engagement with planning and advisory workstreams.
• Support development of engagement practice within WSP and contribute to continuous improvement.

Skills

Senior leadership

RPP

IAP2 P2 certification

CP3 designation

IAP2 Licensed Trainer

Mentoring & thought leadership

Job description

Job Description

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

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to play a senior, visible leadership role in shaping how communities, governments, and organizations engage on complex and meaningful issues across Canada. As a Senior Public Engagement Specialist, you will lead high‑impact engagement and facilitation initiatives that influence decision‑making on infrastructure, environment, climate resilience, policy, and strategic planning projects.

Based out of WSP’s Calgary office, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams locally and nationally, working at the intersection of technical expertise, public values, and community trust. You will bring depth of experience, sound professional judgment, and a passion for inclusive engagement to projects that span sectors and geographies.

In this role, you will not only deliver best‑in‑class engagement programs but also help advance engagement practice within WSP—through mentoring, thought leadership, and contribution to professional standards such as IAP2. This is a role for a seasoned engagement professional who is motivated by impact, leadership, and the opportunity to shape outcomes that matter.

Your Impact

• Lead public engagement and facilitation projects across Canada, delivering inclusive, transparent, and defensible outcomes for complex initiatives.
• Apply and champion IAP2 Core Values, Code of Ethics, Best Practices, and the Spectrum to design and deliver high‑quality engagement programs.
• Serve diverse client organizations—including industry, community, Indigenous organizations, municipal and provincial governments, academia, and economic entities—tailoring approaches to context and culture.
• Drive impact across a wide range of project types such as environmental assessments, climate resilience, policy development, water and wastewater management, energy and resources, and strategic planning.
• Provide leadership through mentoring, coaching, and guiding project teams, contributing to both public and private sector engagement excellence.
• Strengthen capability by contributing to IAP2 leadership, volunteer activities, and continuous improvement of engagement practices.
• Leverage technical insight (e.g., RPP, CET or similar background) to integrate engagement with planning, engineering, and advisory workstreams.

The Skills That Set You Apart

• More than 12 years of senior‑level engagement/facilitation experience, including leadership roles in both the public and private sectors.
• Registered Professional Planner (RPP) with experience spanning both public and private sectors.
• Engagement and facilitation project experience across Canada, including complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.
• IAP2 Certificate in Public Participation (P2) (mandatory); additional IAP2 training is an asset.
• Certified Public Engagement Professional (CP3) designation preferred but not required.
• Accredited and/or licensed engagement trainer status; IAP2 Licensed Trainer strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated IAP2 leadership and volunteer experience within the engagement profession.
• Experience working across environmental, climate, policy, infrastructure, energy, and strategic planning project contexts.

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 - $147,400

Disclosure

The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.

Ready to Shape the Future?

At WSP, your voice, expertise, and leadership truly matter. If you are a seasoned public engagement professional who thrives on collaboration, values meaningful dialogue, and is motivated by shaping outcomes that advance communities and society, this role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Join us in Edmonton and be part of a team that is redefining how engagement is done—bringing people together to solve complex challenges, build trust, and deliver projects that matter. Here, you will be supported to grow, to lead, and to contribute to work that aligns with your values and ambitions.

About Us

At WSP, we exist to shape communities to advance humanity.

It’s why we bring people together who are wired to solve complex challenges - engineers, scientists, advisors, and technical experts who are driven by a common passion - to redefine what’s possible and shape what comes next. We are Visioneers.

As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, we partner with clients across transportation, infrastructure, environment, buildings, energy, water, mining and metals. We pair deep local knowledge with global insights to pioneer solutions designed to leave a lasting, positive impact.

At WSP, you’ll join a community of brilliant minds that push boundaries every day - applying deep expertise and fuelling innovation to help create a more connected and resilient future. Here, your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and you are encouraged to bring your authentic self to work. We empower our people to collaborate across disciplines, challenge the status quo, and shape a career with purpose.

Join us.

Please Note: Health and Safety is a core paramount value of WSP. Given the importance of keeping one another safe it is expected that you comply with our Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) policy at all times as well as client HSE policies when working at client locations. Full details here .

Some safety-sensitive positions involve fieldwork and may include work in a variety of environmental conditions, such as remote or isolated areas, working alone, and in inclement weather (within safe and reasonable limits).

WSP welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

WSP is committed to the principles of employment equity. Only the candidates selected will be contacted.

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Full details here .