Principal / Associate / Associate Director, EIA - Nuclear (UK Wide)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Employee resource groups

Health & Wellbeing programmes

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy is seeking an Associate Consultant in Environmental Consents to support nuclear projects across the UK. This role involves environmental assessments, stakeholder engagement, and project management for major nuclear infrastructure. The ideal candidate holds a relevant degree and has strong experience in Environmental Impact Assessments. The position offers a hybrid working model, promoting work-life balance, inclusivity, and health & wellbeing benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering EIAs for nuclear projects under various UK planning regimes.
• Familiarity with consenting processes related to nuclear projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Grow nuclear sector offering and win new business.
• Provide environmental advice to clients and project managers.
• Lead large, complex projects across the nuclear sector.

Skills

Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA)

Client communications

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Report writing

Education

Relevant environmental or planning degree

Job description

Overview

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. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A Little More About Your Role

Nuclear power is a vital component of the UK’s clean energy mix—essential for achieving net zero and securing a resilient energy future. In support of the UK government’s vision for a revitalised nuclear industry, we are proud to be one of the leading engineering and environmental professional services consultancies driving progress across the UK nuclear sector.

We have a long-standing track record of delivering work on some of the UK’s most complex infrastructure projects, including major nuclear developments such as Hinkley Point C, Sizewell C, Sellafield, the Geological Disposal Facility, and more recently advising on Small Modular Reactor (SMR) programmes. As one of the largest environmental consultancies in the UK, you’ll have the opportunity to contribute to these landmark nuclear projects and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. You’ll be encouraged to explore new ideas in a culture that values curiosity and diverse perspectives.

With the growth of the UK nuclear sector comes increased scrutiny and a more complex consenting environment. As an Associate Consultant in our Environmental Consents team in London, you’ll play a role in navigating this landscape—supporting nuclear projects through strategic planning, environmental advice, and technical studies.

You’ll contribute to some of the UK’s most significant and transformative nuclear infrastructure projects, delivering services such as planning applications, EIAs, permitting and compliance, feasibility studies, and support for DCO examinations and planning inquiries to name a few.

This is a post which is of strategic significance for our business and represents a challenging and exciting opportunity to identify, win and deliver multi-disciplinary inputs for nuclear projects. We need people with creative spirit, a dedicated approach and a solid grounding in environmental design, assessment and management at any stage of the development project lifecycle.

Role Responsibilities

• Playing a key role in growing our nuclear sector offer, working with sector leads and client account managers to drive thought leadership and win new business.
• Providing environmental advice and support to clients, project managers and colleagues.
• Working with colleagues, environmental specialists, clients and engineering teams to promote sustainable design and environmental enhancement.
• Leading large, multiple, and complex projects, overseeing our performance on technical, quality, commercial, and health and safety.
• Build strong client relationships and identify opportunities to support project strategy, resourcing and delivery.
• Undertaking activities to secure new work, including developing proposals for complex opportunities, delivering strategic level bids and framework opportunities, and undertaking business development opportunities.
• Champion innovation through approaches such as Digital EIA, Technical Excellence and Future Ready.
• Driving performance improvement and career advancement opportunities across team.
• Promote an inclusive and positive team environment, acting as a trusted advisor and mentor.
• Promoting an inclusive workplace, demonstrating an understanding of Health and Safety whilst living the values of our health, safety, and wellbeing culture.
• Undertaking actions that contribute towards the success of the WSP business strategy, whilst being self-motivated towards goals relevant to the role, team, and your projects.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• Relevant environmental or planning degree (or equivalent experience), with chartered status or actively working towards chartership.
• Demonstrable experience in delivering Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for nuclear projects, including under a range of UK planning regimes such as the Town and Country Planning Act, EIADR and the Planning Act 2008. Awareness of the application of the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) 2016 is beneficial.
• Familiarity with relevant consenting processes associated with nuclear and projects, including Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Environmental Permit applications etc. Understanding of how these processes integrate with the planning system and EIA for nuclear projects.
• Capable of leading client communications and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, regulators, and the public, with a solid understanding of public consultation and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Knowledge of emerging environmental and planning policy trends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong report writing and review capabilities, attention to detail, and a focus on quality assurance.
• Proven line management experience and a track record of developing and upskilling internal teams.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to strategic planning, win new work through bids and proposals, and enhance reputation in the nuclear sector.

What’s In It For You

• Work-life balance — Hybrid working policy with flexibility to work from home two days a week and in modern offices across the UK.
• Inclusivity and Belonging — We welcome varied backgrounds and experiences, promote inclusion and offer employee resource groups.
• Health & Wellbeing — Thrive programme, Virtual GP, reasonable workplace adjustments, Gymflex scheme, and menopause support.
• Flex your time — WSP My Hour, part-time and flexible working arrangements, option to purchase additional leave, and use of bank holidays as needed.
• Your development — Training, mentoring, and opportunities toward Chartership.

EEO Statement

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.