Development Planning Technical Director (Development)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Thrive wellbeing programme

Gymflex discounts

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Technical Director with a development transport planning background to join the Development team in Scotland with a national impact. The role focuses on client-facing activities, market strategy, and technical leadership to support growth ambitions in Scotland and across the UK.

You will identify opportunities, win new work, and manage multi-disciplinary bids, leveraging your Chartered status and broad project experience to drive delivery and innovation while maintaining

Qualifications

• Proven ability to win and deliver new work in a multi-disciplinary consultancy.
• Leadership and management experience across large teams and bids.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with stakeholder engagement.
• Experience in development transport planning, civil infrastructure and urban design.
• Chartered professional with degree in relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities for the Development team.
• Set growth targets with Regional Director and local office lead.
• Build trusted relationships with public/private sector clients and planning authorities.
• Provide technical advice through planning and design processes.
• Lead bids and review submissions to demonstrate value.
• Act as Project Director on major commissions.
• Support health, safety, and quality compliance across the team.
• Collaborate to share market intelligence and best practices.

Skills

Commercial capability

Strategic thinking

Leadership & management

Client-facing experience

Multi-disciplinary delivery

Project experience

Education

Degree in transport planning or civil engineering

Chartered status

Job description

Specifically supporting the Development team, who provide transport planning, civil infrastructure, and urban design support on development and master‑planning projects, the appointment will play a key role in the team’s growth aspirations in and around Scotland and nationally. We are looking to recruit a Technical Director with a development transport planning background who should already be embedded within the local and regional market and will have a focus on client‑facing activities, business growth, market strategy and technical leadership and will play an integral part in supporting the initiative to diversify our team, in terms of both staff numbers and revenue.

The successful candidate will be proven at winning and delivering new work within a multi‑disciplinary consultancy environment with experience across both the public and private sectors. A sector specialism would be an added advantage (though not essential). They will also be experienced at managing large multi‑disciplinary tender proposals and will be responsible for identifying opportunities for new work with existing and new clients, existing sector leads within the team and colleagues across the wider WSP business.

Key Responsibilities

• Identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, leveraging a network of clients, co‑professionals and colleagues to help win work and increase market share for the Development team.
• Liaising with the Regional Director for Development North and local office lead in setting and agreeing appropriate growth targets and plans.
• Liaising with public/private sector clients and key stakeholders, such as local planning authorities, to build trusted relationships.
• Providing technical advice to clients and supporting them through the planning and design process.
• Exhibiting and demonstrating behaviours and attitudes in accordance with WSP’s core values.
• Working closely with colleagues to ensure coordination across the Development team and sharing of market intelligence, best practice and innovation.
• Leading and supporting bids, including reviewing and authorising submissions, demonstrating commercial and technical added value.
• Acting as Project Director for major projects and strategically important commissions.
• Supporting all aspects associated with H&S / Corporate Responsibility and ensuring the team complies with SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment and Quality).

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification in transport planning or civil engineering.
• Chartered status.
• Commercial and strategic capability with a demonstrable track record in having identified and subsequently delivered new business opportunities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with established leadership and management capabilities and experience.
• Proven track record of work winning.
• A broad range of relevant project experience.

What We Offer

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.

Health & Well‑being

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.