Strategic Environmental Assessment - Principal / Associate / Associate Director

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global engineering firm in Manchester is seeking a Principal, Associate / Associate Director in the Infrastructure Planning and Environmental Assessment team. This role involves leading environmental and sustainability assessment projects, building client relationships, and managing multi-disciplinary teams. Candidates should have relevant environmental or planning degrees, experience in strategic assessments, and strong management skills. This position offers opportunities for professional growth and making impactful contributions to sustainability projects.

Qualifications

• Experience in leading strategic environmental assessments and sustainability appraisals.
• Understanding of SEA regulatory requirements and implications of Environmental Outcome Reporting.
• Familiarity with various impact assessments related to environmental planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate environmental and sustainability assessment projects.
• Build strong client relationships to drive business development.
• Manage delivery of high-quality outputs across multi-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Project management

Client relationship building

Report writing

People management

GIS software usage

Education

Relevant environmental or planning degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

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

A Little More About Your Role

As a Principal, Associate / Associate Director in the Infrastructure Planning and Environmental Assessment team, you will collaborate with a diverse team of technical specialists and professionals to lead and coordinate the delivery of key environmental and sustainability assessment projects. Your work will support our clients to address long term strategic challenges such as achieving net zero, providing sustainable water resources, providing homes and disposing of radioactive waste. You will help ensure that sustainability is embedded into plan-making and decision taking. You will be instrumental in growing opportunities and the team, driving improvements and enhancing our client offer.

The role would suit an enthusiastic individual looking to influence, lead and deliver environmental and sustainability appraisal and assessment projects. You will have responsibility for leading project delivery, sector business development, service innovation and team development.

You Will

• Play a leading role in growing our assessment and appraisal offer, working with sector leads and client account managers to drive thought leadership and win new business.
• Build strong client relationships and identify opportunities to support project strategy, resourcing and delivery.
• Take responsibility for defining medium and long-term market opportunities, and contribute towards developing appropriate business plans.
• Take responsibility for scoping individual commissions, prepare proposals and winning work.
• Provide project/task management to our multi-disciplinary teams working on projects across the UK and overseas. Work will involve client facing activity and managing projects and subcontractors.
• Work with colleagues, environmental specialists, and clients to promote and deliver evidence‑led outcomes from assessment and appraisal work, taking responsibility for the delivery of high‑quality outputs.
• Collaborate to design and implement new assessment tools, considering emerging and new practice, including digitisation and assessment automation.
• Drive performance improvement and career advancement opportunities across team.
• Promote an inclusive and positive team environment, acting as a trusted advisor and mentor.
• Promote an inclusive workplace, demonstrating an understanding of Health and Safety whilst living the values of our health, safety, and wellbeing culture.
• Undertake 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 are looking for you to demonstrate

• Experience of leading the successful delivery of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and or Sustainability Appraisal (SA) to clients in the public and private sector.
• A detailed understanding of SEA regulatory requirements, case law and guidance and the implications of Environmental Outcome Reporting (EOR).
• Experience of working with Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA), Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Water Framework Directive (WFD) Assessment, Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA).
• Familiarity with project and scheme development impacts in variety of sectors e.g., housing, water, waste and resources, energy.
• Relevant environmental or planning degree (or equivalent experience), with chartered status or actively working towards chartership.
• 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 people 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 assessment and appraisal sector.
• Ability to work across multiple technical disciplines and manage competing priorities.
• Excellent understanding of how GIS software is used to inform SEA/SA, including the potential opportunities for the automation of assessment outputs.
• Confidence engaging with clients, regulators and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

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

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.