Associate / Associate Director EIA (Rail and Road)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland seeks an Associate/Associate Director in Resilient Infrastructure to lead environmental contributions for aviation transport projects. You will direct complex, multi-disciplinary teams, oversee recruitment, bidding, project delivery and financial performance.

You will engage with clients, regulators, and stakeholders to advance sustainable transport design, stay ahead of policy trends, and mentor junior staff within a collaborative, high-impact environment.

Qualifications

• Degree in environmental or planning field or equivalent experience with chartered status or working toward chartership.
• Experience delivering Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for aviation schemes under UK planning regimes (e.g., Act 2008).
• Familiarity with consenting processes for transport infrastructure (Habitats Regulations, Environmental Permits).
• Ability to lead client communications and maintain relationships with regulators and the public.
• Knowledge of HS2, TfL, Network Rail or London Underground requirements is advantageous.
• Excellent report writing, communication skills, and attention to quality.
• Proven people management experience and ability to develop internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental contributions across project designs and assessments.
• Direct and lead multi-disciplinary projects including recruitment, bidding, team management, delivery, and budget control.
• Grow the transport sector offer and win new business through bids and proposals.
• Provide environmental advice to clients and project teams, promoting sustainable design.
• Maintain strong client relationships and manage stakeholder engagement.
• Drive innovation in areas like Digital EIA and Technical Excellence.

Skills

EIA delivery

Stakeholder management

Report writing

Planning policy

Chartered professional

Education

Environmental/Planning degree

Chartered status or in progress

Tools

Project management tools

Regulatory frameworks

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. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

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.

A Little More About Your Role…

There is a political consensus that infrastructure investment is vital and serves an enduring purpose. At all levels of UK government, projects are being taken forward that support sustainable economic growth, decarbonise the movement of goods and people, and modernise the services received by end users. At WSP, we draw on experience from working on over 36,000 transport and infrastructure projects in over 40 countries across 6 continents. As one of the global leaders in transport and infrastructure we are commitment to sustainable transport and connecting communities.

As one of the largest environmental consultancies in the UK, you’ll get the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant transport projects and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. You’ll be encouraged to explore new ideas in a culture that values curiosity and diverse perspectives.

With the continued changes and demand on the UK transport sector comes increased scrutiny and a more complex consenting environment. As an Associate or Associate Director in our Resilient Infrastructure team in London, you’ll play a key role in navigating this landscape—supporting transport expansion through strategic planning, environmental advice, and technical studies.

You’ll contribute to some of the UK’s most significant and transformative transport infrastructure projects, delivering services such as planning applications, EIA, GRIP Stages, and support for DCO examinations and planning inquiries to name a few.

This is a post which is of strategic significance for our business and represents a challenging and exciting opportunity to identify, win and deliver multi-disciplinary inputs for transport infrastructure projects. We need people with creative spirit, a dedicated approach and a solid grounding in environmental design, assessment and management at any stage of the development project lifecycle.

Join a great organisation

As an Associate or Associate Director, you will collaborate with a diverse team of technical specialists and design professionals to lead and coordinate environmental contributions across project designs and assessments. You will be instrumental in improving the environmental performance for a range of aviation projects.

The role would suit an enthusiastic individual looking to influence, lead and deliver environmental elements of aviation projects. You will have responsibility for directing and leading projects including tasks relating to recruitment, bidding, project team management, project delivery, and financial management.

• Playing a key role in growing our transport sector offer, working with sector leads and client account managers to drive thought leadership and win new business.
• Providing environmental advice and support to clients, project managers and colleagues.
• Working with colleagues, environmental specialists, clients and engineering teams to promote sustainable design and environmental enhancement.
• Leading large, multiple, and complex projects, overseeing our performance on technical, quality, commercial, and health and safety.
• Build strong client relationships and identify opportunities to support project strategy, resourcing and delivery.
• Undertaking activities to secure new work, including developing proposals for complex opportunities, delivering strategic level bids and framework opportunities, and undertaking business development opportunities.
• Champion innovation through approaches such as Digital EIA, Technical Excellence and Future Ready.
• Driving performance improvement and career advancement opportunities across team.
• Promote an inclusive and positive team environment, acting as a trusted advisor and mentor.
• Promoting an inclusive workplace, demonstrating an understanding of Health and Safety whilst living the values of our health, safety, and wellbeing culture.
• Undertaking actions that contribute towards the success of the WSP business strategy, whilst being self-motivated towards goals relevant to the role, team, and your projects.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

• Relevant environmental or planning degree (or equivalent experience), with chartered status or actively working towards chartership.
• Demonstrable experience in delivering Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for aviation schemes, including under a range of UK planning regimes such as the Town and Country Planning Act and the Planning Act 2008. Awareness of the application of the Transport Works Act 1992 is beneficial.
• Familiarity with relevant consenting processes associated with transport infrastructure and transport-related projects, including Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Environmental Permit applications etc. Understanding of how these processes integrate with the planning system and EIA for rail and road schemes, transport improvement works, rail sidings, or station and infrastructure upgrades.
• Capable of leading client communications and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, regulators, and the public, with a solid understanding of public consultation and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Knowledge of emerging environmental and planning policy trends.
• Advantageous to understand HS2, Transport for London (TfL), Pathway, WebTAG experience, Network Rail and/or London Underground requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong report writing and review capabilities, attention to detail, and a focus on quality assurance.
• Proven people management experience and a track record of developing and upskilling internal teams.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to strategic planning, win new work through bids and proposals, and enhance reputation in the transport sector.

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.