2026 Graduate Programme - Planning Consultancy & Infrastructure Planning

WSP; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in the UK is looking for graduates to join its Graduate Programme in Planning Consultancy & Infrastructure Planning. This role offers an opportunity to work on major transformational projects, from planning applications to community engagement. Graduates will collaborate in a supportive environment, gaining hands-on experience and developing their professional skills in a variety of sectors including residential and infrastructure.

Benefits

Hybrid working policy with flexibility

Thrive programme for health and wellbeing

Training and mentoring opportunities

Qualifications

• Graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master's degree (RTPI accredited) relevant to Planning & Consultancy.
• Strong responsibility in project managing and leading smaller projects.
• Enthusiastic about the built environment and creative solutions.

Responsibilities

• Manage diverse project portfolios for various directors in the UK.
• Contribute to sustainable development through planning applications and policy insights.
• Engage with communities and stakeholders for collaborative projects.

Skills

Collaborative teamwork

Adaptability

Creative problem-solving

Education

Master's degree (RTPI accredited)

Job description

Overview

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.

We’re seeking graduates who are eager to learn, flexible, and ready to make a difference. You’ll thrive in our collaborative, supportive environment, where your creativity and passion for the built environment can flourish. Whether your interest is in working with communities, driving sustainable development, or supporting innovative infrastructure, your talents will find a home with us.

Imagine being at the heart of projects that shape how we live, move, work and play. Join our 2026 Graduate Programme in Planning Consultancy & Infrastructure Planning and launch your career with one of the UK’s leading professional advisory consultancies.

Locations

We are recruiting for Graduates in the following services & locations:

• Planning Consultancy: Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, London, Leeds
• Infrastructure Planning: London and Exeter

About the role and the team

Our Planning Consultancy teams work on some of the largest transformational projects across the UK, collaborating with communities to deliver sustainable development. We guide clients through the planning process, from initial site appraisals to securing consents and supporting construction. Our work spans sectors including residential, education, healthcare, logistics, industrial, retail and defence. We also work outside of the UK, including recent commissions in the Middle East.

Graduates in Infrastructure Planning help deliver sustainable, resilient infrastructure by combining research, policy insight, and stakeholder collaboration. You’ll contribute to planning applications, site appraisals, and community engagement, guided by experienced planners. Your work will inform transport schemes, utility upgrades, and energy proposals that balance technical feasibility with environmental and social value.

Projects

Graduates work across a portfolio of nationally significant schemes. Assignments, varying by office and interests, typically include:

• Great British Energy: Shaping the next generation of nuclear power by supporting early-stage consents and consultation strategies.
• Tees Valley Active Travel Scheme: Helping to deliver £150 million of new and upgraded active travel routes, improving connections across the region.
• Yorkshire Water: Contributing to strategic water resource schemes, from planning applications to defining new water-reuse corridors.

Planning Consultancy

Graduate Planners get involved from day one, managing a varied project portfolio for directors in the UK. You may lead projects as a planning agent and project manager, coordinating environmental teams and budgets, and will also work within planning teams on larger schemes.

We provide a blend of purpose, variety, and growth: You’ll make a meaningful impact on projects that leave a lasting legacy. Our collaborative culture fosters a friendly environment where everyone works together to achieve key outcomes. You’ll gain hands-on experience with landmark projects spanning sectors and development stages, from land acquisition to construction. Each day is different, whether engaging with communities, drafting planning documents, or advising clients, the dynamic nature of our work will keep your role stimulating.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Varied workload across multiple sectors.
• Undertaking planning appraisals, drafting planning documents.
• Project managing and leading smaller projects.
• Working in teams as part of larger projects.
• Managing environmental teams.
• Submitting and managing planning applications and appeals.
• Managing project budgets.

Infrastructure Planning

In this team, you'll gain exposure to multi-disciplinary groups, from ecologists to engineers and heritage specialists to hydrologists, while building core skills in GIS mapping, regulatory analysis and project coordination. The position offers a clear learning path, regular feedback, and opportunities to see your work influence real-world developments.

Day-to-day activities could include:

• Supporting the preparation, submission and management of planning applications, appeals and enquiries for infrastructure projects.
• Conducting site appraisals and feasibility studies, gathering data on transport, utilities, land use and environmental constraints.
• Drafting planning statements, design and access statements, and supporting documents under senior review.
• Researching local and national policy and preparing concise briefs for project teams.
• Coordinating stakeholder and community engagement, including public exhibitions and workshops.
• Liaising with consultants to integrate inputs into planning deliverables.
• Maintaining project trackers, monitoring deadlines, and identifying risks or resource needs.
• Using GIS mapping and data visualisations to support recommendations.
• Assisting in discharging planning conditions during delivery, compiling reports and evidence logs.

You will join an enthusiastic and supportive team, providing you with a challenging and fulfilling career. In this team, you will be dealing with internal and external stakeholders, 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 committed to your career progression, encouraging growth from the outset. Many colleagues joined as graduates and have now advanced within the business.

We encourage you to pursue chartered status with professional bodies like the RTPI, ensuring your development is a priority. You will be fully supported through enrolment in a professional institution's training agreement, guiding you towards chartered status.

To find out more about Sectors and Specialisms we recruit our Graduates into, as well as qualification requirements, please visit our Graduate brochure or Graduate Website.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

You'll have graduated with at least a 2:2 in a master's degree (RTPI accredited) in a relevant subject for the role you are applying for. You'll also be encouraged to visit the Graduate brochure or website for potential areas of the business that are relevant to you.

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

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

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.