Associate / Associate Director – Minerals and Waste

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Health and wellbeing support

Employee resource groups

Comprehensive menopause support package

Gymflex scheme

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking an Associate / Associate Director to lead minerals and waste planning projects. This role involves managing projects, providing expert environmental advice, and fostering client relationships across the UK.

You will benefit from a hybrid working policy, supporting work-life balance, and an inclusive environment that values professional development and employee wellness.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in planning, environmental or related discipline.
• Experience delivering minerals and waste projects in the UK.
• Strong understanding of UK planning systems and EIA.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver minerals and waste planning projects across the full lifecycle.
• Provide expert planning and environmental advice to clients and project teams.
• Manage project performance (technical, commercial, H&S, and quality).

Skills

Planning

Environmental advice

Project management

Client relationship management

Communication skills

People management

Education

Degree in planning or environmental discipline

Tools

Competency in UK planning systems

Job description

We’re looking for an Associate / Associate Director to join our growing minerals and waste team. This post represents a challenging growth opportunity to direct, manage and deliver minerals and waste inputs to a range of projects for a wide client base.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and deliver minerals and waste planning projects across the full lifecycle
• Provide expert planning and environmental advice to clients and project teams
• Manage project performance (technical, commercial, H&S and quality)
• Build strong client relationships and support business development activity
• Contribute to bids, frameworks and new opportunities
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver sustainable outcomes
• Mentor and support colleagues, fostering an inclusive team culture

Essential

• Degree (or equivalent experience) in planning, environmental or related discipline
• Experience delivering minerals and waste projects in the UK
• Strong understanding of UK planning systems and EIA
• Ability to lead projects and manage client relationships
• Excellent communication and report writing skills
• Proven people management experience and a track record of developing and upskilling internal teams

Desirable

• Chartered or working towards chartership (RTPI, IEMA, RICS or similar)
• Experience in business development and winning work
• Knowledge of emerging policy and stakeholder engagement

Benefits

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.

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.