Associate / Associate Director EIA (Rail and Road)

WSP; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in London is seeking an Associate or Associate Director to lead environmental contributions across transport infrastructure projects, with a focus on aviation schemes and EIA.

You will direct multidisciplinary teams, manage bids, and ensure delivery while maintaining client relationships and navigating planning consents in the UK.

This role offers the opportunity to influence major projects and advance sustainability within a global engineering firm.

Qualifications

• Delivery of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for aviation schemes under UK planning regimes.
• Familiarity with consenting processes for transport infrastructure, including Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA).
• Ability to lead client communications and maintain relationships with regulators and the public.
• Knowledge of environmental and planning policy trends.
• Understanding of HS2, TfL, Pathway, WebTAG, Network Rail and London Underground requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail and QA.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental contributions across project designs and assessments.
• Direct and manage recruitment, bidding, project teams, delivery, and financial management.
• Deliver environmental elements of aviation projects and support strategic planning and bids.
• Maintain strong client relationships and stakeholder engagement with regulators and the public.
• Promote innovation and ensure quality and health and safety across projects.

Skills

Chartered status

EIA delivery

UK planning regimes

Public consultation

Environmental policy trends

HS2/TfL/Network Rail knowledge

Report writing

People management

Bid leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Environmental or planning degree

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.

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 over36,000 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 experienceand 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.

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