2027 Graduate Programme (UK) - Planning & Development - Civils

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Thrive wellbeing program

Gymflex scheme

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking graduates for the Development Planning and Development Infrastructure teams in 2027, with roles based in Manchester and other UK cities. You will help shape development, transport and infrastructure, supporting projects from feasibility to planning consent and technical design.

This two-year Graduate Development Programme offers structured learning, mentoring and hands-on project experience.

Qualifications

• Ability to interpret data, technical information and solve problems to support planning and engineering design.
• Clear communication and collaboration with planners, engineers, specialists, consultants and clients.
• Curious, organised and motivated to learn, take ownership and contribute to development projects.
• Interest in how development, transport and infrastructure shape sustainable places and communities.
• Keen to learn about transport planning, active travel, layouts, drainage, utilities, roads and site infrastructure.
• Plan-based thought process with attention to detail and problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Support development planning projects from early feasibility through planning consent.
• Contribute to transport planning, access strategies and development layouts.
• Assist in preparing impact assessments and technical designs for development infrastructure.
• Collaborate with planners, environmental specialists, transport consultants and designers.

Skills

Data analysis

Problem solving

Clear communication

Collaboration

Organisational skills

Education

2:2 or higher in relevant degree

Job description

Job Description

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, while building a career as unique as you.

We are looking for graduates to join our Development & Infrastructure teams in 2027. This is an opportunity to work in a leading engineering and professional services consultancy, helping shape how places grow and change by supporting new developments that connect people, communities, transport networks and the wider built environment. You’ll contribute to projects from early feasibility through to planning consent and technical design, helping develop practical, sustainable solutions that make new communities, employment spaces, regeneration schemes and major developments possible.

Opportunities Are Available In

Development Planning: Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Cardiff, Guildford

Development Infrastructure: Manchester, Liverpool, London, Basingstoke, Cambridge, Edinburgh

A little bit more about your role and the team…

As a graduate in our Development Planning and Development Infrastructure teams, you’ll help shape how places grow and change, supporting new developments that connect people, communities, transport networks and the wider built environment.

In Development Planning, you could support projects from early feasibility through to planning consent, contributing to areas such as transport planning, access strategies, active travel, development layouts and impact assessments.

In Development Infrastructure, you could help develop the technical design needed to make development possible, from roads, drainage and utilities to wider site servicing and enabling works. You’ll build practical engineering solutions for new communities, employment spaces, regeneration schemes and major developments, working closely with planners, environmental specialists, transport consultants and designers.

To find out more about our teams, degree backgrounds considered and what your day-to-day activities could include, please visit our Graduate Website: Graduate schemes with WSP | WSP

What We’re Looking For

• You will have, or be on track to achieve, at least a 2:2 in a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Please check the degree backgrounds considered for our graduate roles via our Graduate Website: Planning and Consents Graduate Opportunities | WSP
• You will be looking to start work in September 2027.
• You will be interested in how development, transport and infrastructure shape sustainable places and communities.
• You will be keen to learn about transport planning, active travel, layouts, drainage, utilities, roads and site infrastructure.
• You will enjoy using data, technical information and problem-solving to support planning and engineering design.
• You will communicate clearly and collaborate with planners, engineers, specialists, consultants, designers and clients.
• You will be curious, organised and motivated to learn, take ownership and contribute to meaningful development projects.

Our Graduate Development Programme

Our two-year Graduate Development Programme is designed to help you build the skills, experience and professional network needed to thrive at the start of your career with us. Through a blend of structured learning, mentoring and hands-on project experience, you will be supported every step of the way.

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.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 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 11,000 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 a 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

Here at WSP 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.