Development Planning Technical Director (Development)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Flexible working hours

Gymflex program

Thrive health programme

Disability Confident employer

Job summary

WSP is recruiting a Development Transport Planning-focused Technical Director to lead growth in the North East and nationally, focusing on client-facing activities, business growth, and technical leadership within a multi-disciplinary team. The role requires embedding in the local/ regional market and delivering strategic opportunities.

The candidate should have proven success in winning and delivering new work across public and private sectors, with Chartered status and a strong track record in

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in transport planning or civil engineering.
• Chartered status is required or expected.
• Commercial and strategic capability with a demonstrable track record of identifying and delivering 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.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, leveraging a network of clients, co-professionals, and colleagues to win work and increase market share for the Development team.
• Liaise with the Regional Director for Development North and the local office lead to set growth targets and plans.
• Build trusted relationships with local planning authorities and other stakeholders.
• Provide technical advice to clients through the planning and design process.
• Demonstrate WSP’s core values in day-to-day work.
• Coordinate market intelligence sharing and best practice within the Development team.
• Lead and support bids, including reviewing submissions and adding value.
• Act as Project Director for major projects and strategically important commissions.
• Support all aspects of H&S / Corporate Responsibility and SHEQ compliance.

Skills

Commercial strategy

Leadership

Business development

Interpersonal skills

Client relationships

Project experience

Education

Degree in transport planning or civil engineering

Chartered status

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, experience a world of opportunity, and shape a career as unique as you.

A Little More About Your Role

Specifically supporting the Development team, who provide transport planning, civil infrastructure, and urban design support on development and masterplanning projects, the appointment will play a key role in the team’s growth aspirations in and around the North East 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. The role will also play an integral part in supporting the initiative to diversify our team, in terms of both staff numbers and revenue.

The successful candidate will have proven experience 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 Aspects Of The Role Include

• Identifying and pursuing new business opportunities, leveraging a network of clients, co‑professionals, and colleagues to win work and increase market share for the Development team.
• Liaising with the Regional Director for Development North and the 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).

The Development Team is a well‑established and high‑performing part within the Planning and Development discipline which includes over 800 colleagues focused on project delivery through the whole project life cycle, from initial land acquisition, planning support and design, through to scheme implementation and handover.

Our vision is to be recognised as the best Development team in the industry. We strive to achieve this through continuous improvement and a management structure comprising four pillars: Technical Excellence, People, Clients, and Operational Excellence.

We help our clients to promote, implement and manage sustainable development, from pre‑feasibility through to planning consent, establish plans and provision for how an area, its accessibility, and needs will develop over time, and guide sustainable future development. We also develop multi‑disciplinary design from concept through to detailed design and construction.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• Degree‑level qualification in transport planning or civil engineering
• Chartered status
• Commercial and strategic capability with a demonstrable track record of identifying and delivering 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

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by a common purpose of creating positive, long‑lastingly 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 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 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 employee resource groups that 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 improve 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.