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

WSP USA; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible hours

Chartership support

Training & development

Job summary

WSP is seeking an Associate Consultant in London to contribute to environmental consents for nuclear projects. You will deliver EIAs, manage client relationships, and guide interdisciplinary teams through planning, permitting, and environmental assessments.

The role requires chartered status or progress toward it, and you will support strategic bids, governance, and compliance while fostering collaboration across the UK nuclear sector.

Qualifications

• Environmental or planning degree required, chartered status or working toward chartership.
• Demonstrated delivery of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for nuclear projects under UK regimes.
• Familiarity with consenting processes (Habitat Regulations Assessment, environmental permits).
• Capable of leading client communications and managing stakeholders and regulators.
• Knowledge of evolving environmental and planning policy trends.
• Strong written/verbal communication, attention to detail, and quality assurance.
• Proven line management experience and team development.
• Experience contributing to strategic planning and winning bids.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental contributions across project designs and assessments.
• Manage bidding, project delivery, and financial performance.
• Coordinate with clients, regulators, and cross-disciplinary teams.
• Champion innovation in environmental design and digital EIA approaches.
• Drive high-quality environmental impact work for nuclear projects.

Skills

EIA delivery

Client communications

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Strategic planning

Education

Environmental planning degree

Tools

GIS software

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. 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.

Join a great organisation

As a Principal/ Associate or Associate Director, you will collaborate with a diverse team of technical specialists and design professionals to manage environmental contributions across project designs and assessments. You will be instrumental in improving the environmental performance for a range of nuclear projects.

The role would suit an enthusiastic individual looking to influence, manage and deliver environmental elements of nuclear projects. You will have responsibility for managing projects including tasks relating to bidding, project team management, project delivery, and financial management.

• 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.

With us, you can.

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.

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.