Major Projects Town Planning & Consents Lead (Associate Director to Director Levels) (Infrastru[...]

WSP; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy, WSP, is seeking experienced town planners or consents specialists to join their Infrastructure Planning Team. The successful candidates will take charge of major infrastructure projects, steering them through the complexities of planning legislation while fostering client and stakeholder partnerships. This is an exciting opportunity to make meaningful impacts on significant projects with a forward-thinking team.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams on major infrastructure projects.
• Understanding of project finances and sound project management experience.
• Ability to coordinate complex consent applications under various planning acts.

Responsibilities

• Lead consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects.
• Provide technical advice and manage client requirements.
• Coordinate consent applications and act as Project Director.

Skills

Project Management

Negotiation

Technical Advice

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Degree in Town Planning or equivalent

RTPI Membership or eligibility

Job description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.
WSP is an award-winning consultancy that employees the largest number of chartered town planners across the UK, operating within both the infrastructure and property markets.

It has never been a more exciting time to join WSP’s market-leading Infrastructure Planning Team. With notable contract and framework awards in 2024 from National Grid as part of the Great Grid Partnership, Nuclear Waste Services as well as awards from many other clients, we have a great foundation for growth in 2025.

Our key clients include East West Rail, EET Fuels, Eni UK, National Gas, SSE, Scottish Power Renewables, Severn Trent Water, Southern Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, and many more.

Our success as a team is built on employing highly skilled consenting specialists that have experience in serving a diverse portfolio of clients in the energy, renewables, nuclear, net zero, water, rail and transportation and aviation sectors.

To continue to sustainably grow as a business, we are looking for experienced town planners or consents specialists to join our team to lead consenting inputs on major and nationally significant infrastructure projects. The successful candidates will have demonstrable experience at leading multi-disciplinary teams secure approvals for major and nationally significant infrastructure projects via the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Planning Act 2008. We are also interested to hear from people that have experience in securing consents for major projects by means of Planning (Wales) Act 2015, Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, Transport and Works Act Order or the Electricity Act.

To find out more about our Infrastructure Planning business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: Infrastructure planning and consulting | WSP

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Leading consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs etc)
• Providing technical advice to clients and managing their consenting requirements
• Co-ordinating the preparation and submission of consent applications which may include applications under the Town and Country Planning Acts, the Planning Act 2008 or other regimes (as listed above).
• Acting as Project Director for projects led and managed by the Infrastructure Planning and Engagement business.
• Leading on complex negotiations with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients.
• Acting as Planning Expert Witness at DCO examinations or other hearings or inquiries.
• Supporting the Service Line Director and Sector Leads to pursue new work winning opportunities in line with WSPs Growth Strategy and taking on a Sector Leadership role as appropriate.
• Line management / mentoring colleagues by supporting them in their work project delivery roles.
• Degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent).
• Member of (or eligible for) the RTPI.
• Strong understanding of project finances.
• Sound project management experience, ideally within a consultancy environment.

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

With us, you can. Apply today. #L1-JC2