2026 Graduate Programme - Advisory Services

WSP USA; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy is seeking graduates for Advisory teams in the UK. This role involves working on projects related to infrastructure, digital transformation, and advising government bodies. Candidates should have a relevant degree and possess strong analytical and teamwork skills. The position offers a two-year Graduate Development programme to enhance personal and professional growth.

Benefits

Hybrid working policy

Professional development opportunities

Health and wellbeing support

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering, economics, business, or related fields.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in teams.

Responsibilities

• Support project management and delivery of assignments.
• Conduct data gathering and analysis for market studies.
• Prepare presentations and workshop materials.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Team collaboration

Presentation skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field

Job description

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.

We are looking for graduates for our Advisory teams, who have a flexible approach and an appetite to learn in a leading Engineering and Professional Advisory services consultancy. We want you to enjoy working in a collaborative environment where you can apply your skills working for a diverse range of clients and projects.

A little bit more about your role and the team…

• Infrastructure & Economic Advisory : London, Birmingham or Manchester

• Transformation & Digital Advisory : Birmingham, London or Manchester

• Digital Advisory : Birmingham, London or Manchester

• GL Hearn - London

What you will do

Working as a Graduate in one of our Advisory teams will mean delivering innovative advice that is actionable and scalable to respond to the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow as well as today.

Projects

Our teams work on some great assignments and as a Graduate working in our Advisory team, you will be helping deliver projects such as:

• UK Government Freeports programme
• Energy Entrepreneurs Fund
• National Highways net zero
• Network Rail climate resilience
• Local Government – combined authorities, local government reorganisation, sustainability and decarbonisation
• Transport – digital capabilities, major projects and Energy – Complex programmes
• Digital transformation programmes including digital strategies for universities and healthcare providers

Our Advisory Teams include

Infrastructure & Economic Advisory (the Infrastructure and Economic Advisory team are at the forefront of Advisory and Investment Services, providing advice to Clients across a broad range of sectors, and often on first-of-a-kind projects and/or most complex multidisciplinary infrastructure and economic development projects.)

Our advice covers:

• Economic analysis and evaluation, economic development strategy, economic impact assessment, industry, and innovation strategies.
• Commercial and Technical and ESG Due Diligence for Investors and Lenders.
• Strategic Advice to Government on critical infrastructure sectors. Advice to Lenders on complex Infrastructure, Manufacturing & Core + assets. Advice to government bodies on business cases, procurement and delivery model systems.
• Commercial/Trade Forecasting, Cost Modelling and Economic Analysis.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Supporting our industry leaders to work across a portfolio of projects.
• Undertaking initial data gathering and analysis for a range of assignments, potentially including market studies, demand forecasting, technical and financial feasibility assessments, and due diligence assignments (for both lenders and equity).
• Accompanying more senior team members on client and site visits in the UK and Europe to assess existing facilities or Construction Monitoring.
• In addition, you will work with our economics specialists advising on a broad range of economic impact assignments. This work will be on projects in both the UK and overseas. You will be required to cover both the quantified economic impacts of various interventions as well as helping to write up the findings in a clear, concise manner. The work will cover a number of different sectors, including those in the public and private sectors.

Transformation & Digital Insights

Our Transformation Advisory team is rapidly growing, fuelled by ambitious goals and a commitment to lasting client impact across diverse sectors. Projects range from implementing sustainability strategies, digital solutions, to designing new operating models that foster growth and efficiency. Each offering unique challenges and requiring close collaboration with clients to deliver tangible and sustainable results.

As a graduate, you’ll work directly with clients to understand their needs and help design tailored solutions. You’ll join experts on assignments in government, defence, pharmaceuticals, and energy, engaging in interviews and workshops that drive meaningful organisational improvements. The variety is a highlight: one week you could help a local council restructure, the next you might support a global business through digital transformation, making this an ideal place to launch your career.

Day-to-day responsibilities could include:

• Preparing presentations, workshop materials, and reports.
• Coordinating workshops and client interviews.
• Assisting with project management, including risk registers and timelines.
• Gathering and sharing client insights.
• Supporting bids and proposals.
• Collaborating with WSP colleagues to integrate specialist knowledge.
• Taking ownership of small workstreams under senior guidance.

Digital Advisory

The purpose of this role is to give graduates the opportunity to work at the forefront of digital transformation, solving real-world challenges that impact communities, infrastructure, and the environment. Graduates will gain hands-on experience in delivering innovative solutions, from shaping strategy to deploying cutting-edge technologies, while working alongside a diverse, multidisciplinary team. What makes this role exciting is the chance to see your ideas turn into tangible outcomes, whether that’s designing new digital tools, helping organisations make smarter decisions with data, or creating strategies that drive meaningful change. It’s a role that offers variety, creativity, and purpose, with plenty of scope to learn, grow, and make a real difference.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Designing and delivering digital strategies and projects.
• Analysing and interpreting data for actionable insights and developing dashboards and digital tools.
• Contributing to stakeholder engagement and research.
• Preparing presentations and client recommendations.
• Taking responsibility for workstreams and developing consulting skills.

Graduates joining in 2026 are likely to be involved in high-profile projects across sectors, which could include, supporting digital transformation for councils, developing data and reporting tools for national infrastructure projects, and shaping digital strategies for universities and healthcare providers, each project offers practical experience in seeing how digital solutions impact society.

GL Hearn (A WSP Company)
GL Hearn provides a path to Chartered Surveyor status via the Valuation Pathway of APC, with a two-year structured programme and two 12-month rotations in Business Rates and Valuation teams. You\'ll learn directly from senior colleagues, meet clients, and visit sites ranging from retail stores to development fields. Major clients include NHS, Amazon, Sainsbury’s, Puregym, London Borough of Camden, and Peabody.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Gathering evidence to assess market value.
• Managing communication with the Valuation Office.
• Reviewing leases and inspecting development opportunities.
• Conducting financial appraisals.
• Working in multi-disciplinary teams for town centre improvements.
• Assisting with red book valuation reports.

You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team, providing you with a challenging and fulfilling career. In our Advisory teams, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders and collaborating with colleagues and adapting to dynamic project environments.

Graduate Development Programme

Our two-year Graduate Development programme is designed to support personal and professional development and growth through an engaging blended learning experience. The programmes include core business and professional skills training, career development workshops and resources, valuable networking opportunities, mentoring for professional registration and a breadth of on-the-job experience.

To find out more, please visit: Who we are - ECP

Our teams are dedicated to supporting your career growth from the very beginning. Many employees have started as graduates and successfully advanced within the company. We encourage you to achieve chartered status with relevant professional bodies, making your development a priority. You will be fully supported through enrolment in a professional institution’s training agreement, guiding you towards chartered or incorporated status.

To find out more about Sectors and Specialisms we recruit our Graduates into, as well as qualification requirements, please click on the Graduate brochure or Graduate website link below.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

You’ll have graduated with at least a 2:1 in a master’s or bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject for the role you are applying for. To assist you in finding potential areas of the business that are relevant to you. Please visit our Graduate brochure or website Graduate brochure and website: Graduate brochure (https://visual-stories.wsp.com/ecp/cover) or Graduate website (https://www.wsp.com/en-gb/careers/graduates)

• Candidates must complete the application form in full answering all specific questions. This requirement applies to all candidates, inclusive of their background. Successful completion of this stage is mandatory. Candidates who pass this initial stage, will then be required to complete an online skill enabler assessment. Both the application form and the skill enabler assessment are essential parts of the early career recruitment process.

• You\'ll be looking to start work in September 2026.

• You\'ll have a passion for consulting.

• You\'ll have a desire for the built environment, infrastructure, places and the economy and an enthusiasm for creativity and a drive to solve problems.

• You\'ll have a collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

• For digital advisory you will have an enthusiasm for digital innovation and its potential to solve real-world challenges.

• You\'ll want to inspire us, sharing new ideas you have.

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Should you have the right qualifications for our positions, apply and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities we have available for our Graduate programme.

For further information regarding our Application & Selection process, including timelines for recruitment, please visit our Early Careers brochure. Application & Selection

We review applications for our Early Career opportunities on a rolling basis, which means we begin progressing some candidates to the final stages before the application closing date. To ensure your application receives full consideration, we recommend submitting it as early as possible.

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.

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

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.

Purpose of the role & principal accountabilities (8-10 max)