Associate Environmental Permitting Consultant

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Thrive wellbeing

Gymflex discounts

Disability confident recruiter

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland seeks an Associate Environmental Permitting Consultant to provide technical leadership, grow client relationships and shape the strategic direction of our Environmental Permitting, Compliance & Nuclear Regulation team.

You will lead major permitting work, mentor junior staff, and help expand our offering nationally while collaborating across WSP’s Sustainability and Environmental businesses.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in environmental permitting and regulatory strategy.
• Expert knowledge of Environmental Permitting Regulations and associated frameworks.
• Strong track record delivering high-value projects across regulated sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead major permitting and compliance programmes for clients across sectors.
• Develop and maintain strategic client relationships and support business development.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to team development.
• Drive delivery of environmental permitting offerings and engage across WSP teams.
• Support growth and collaborate across the Sustainability and Environmental businesses.

Skills

Environmental permitting

Regulatory compliance

Client relationship management

Business development

Leadership

Regulatory strategy

Professional accreditation

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.

A Little More About Your Role…

We're looking for an ambitious Associate Environmental Permitting Consultant to provide technical leadership, grow client relationships and help shape the strategic direction of our Environmental Permitting, Compliance & Nuclear Regulation team.

As an Associate, you'll be recognised as a leader within the business, driving the delivery of major permitting and compliance programmes for clients across the energy, nuclear, industrial, manufacturing, waste and utilities sectors.

You’ll provide strategic environmental and regulatory advice to clients, oversee the delivery of complex technical work and help to develop and expand our environmental permitting offering nationally. You'll play a key role in winning work, building client relationships and supporting the continued growth of our team.

In addition to leading major projects, you’ll mentor junior staff, contribute to business planning and work collaboratively across WSP’s wider Sustainability and Environmental businesses.

This role offers flexibility of location, with offices across the UK, with opportunities to collaborate nationally and internationally. Occasional travel within the UK is expected.

Your Team

You will be welcomed to an established and highly capable and growing team of twenty-five Environmental Permitting experts at various stages of their careers, presenting opportunities to both mentor/guide early career professionals alongside the opportunity to learn from highly experienced experts.

The Environmental Permitting, Compliance & Nuclear Regulation team sits within a wider Sustainable Resources Discipline of over 100 specialists working across a variety of sectors providing deep and broad technical advisory services to translate sustainability strategy into compliant, resilient, low-risk operational change, to make sustainability real.

Our main hub for Environmental Permitting, Compliance & Nuclear Regulation is in Manchester, though we have members of the team across many of WSP’s 30 offices throughout the UK.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

We welcome applications from a wide range of backgrounds.

If some of the criteria below describe you, we would love to hear from you—even if you don’t meet every point.

• Significant experience in environmental permitting, compliance and regulatory strategy.
• Expert knowledge of Environmental Permitting Regulations and associated regulatory frameworks.
• A strong track record of delivering complex, high-value projects across regulated sectors.
• Experience developing and maintaining strategic client relationships.
• Commercial awareness with experience supporting business development and winning work.
• Strong leadership skills and experience managing and developing teams.
• Professional accreditation and recognised expertise within the environmental permitting field.

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.

• Purpose-driven work: Contribute to nationally significant projects and the UK’s net zero ambitions.-zero ambitions.
• Inclusive culture: Work with a diverse group of professionals who value each other’s unique strengths.
• Career growth: Access sector experts, mentoring, structured development pathways and opportunities across more than 70,000 colleagues globally.
• Collaborative team: Join a friendly, respected, and expanding environmental permitting and compliance community that supports your success at every stage.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including those returning to work after career breaks, those seeking flexible working arrangements, and individuals looking to transfer experience from other regulated industries.

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.