Principal EIA Consultant

WSP; Greater Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Principal EIA Consultant to lead environmental inputs for energy T&D projects and guide multidisciplinary teams across sectors. You will drive bids, manage delivery, and oversee planning, EA/EIA work, and route optioning while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.

The role focuses on growing our energy sector capabilities, mentoring junior colleagues, and building strong client relationships to deliver sustainable outcomes.

Qualifications

• Relevant environmental degree with EIA focus or equivalent.
• Active involvement in EIA processes and reporting.
• Experience in large-scale infrastructure projects encouraged.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental inputs to energy T&D projects and bid activity.
• Manage project delivery, team coordination, and finances.
• Advise clients and internal teams on environmental compliance.
• Coordinate planning, EA/EIA work, and route optioning across projects.
• Oversee quality, safety, and commercial performance.
• Develop and maintain client relationships and business development.

Skills

EIA expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Report writing

Multi-disciplinary teamwork

Education

Environmental degree (EIA)

Chartered IEMA status (target)

Job description

Job Description

A Little More About Your Role…

As a Principal EIA Consultant within WSPs Environmental Assessment and Management team, you will work with a range of technical environmental specialists and design teams across multiple sectors to lead environmental teams and inputs to project designs and assessments. You will be instrumental in improving the environmental performance for a diverse range of projects across multiple sectors.

Role

The role would suit an enthusiastic individual looking to influence, manage and deliver environmental elements of energy T&D infrastructure 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 energy T&D 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.
• Managing the delivery of a diverse range of environmental inputs into energy T&D projects including planning applications, EA / EIA, route optioneering, site selection, stakeholder engagement, and support for DCO examinations and planning inquiries.
• Managing projects, overseeing our performance on technical, quality, commercial, and health and safety.
• Building relationships with clients and identifying opportunities to provide support in areas such as resourcing, programming, strategy development and project delivery.
• Undertaking activities to secure new work, including preparing proposals, contributing to strategic-bid preparation, and participating in business development opportunities.
• Supporting the development of innovative techniques to shape the way we do our business whether through Digital EIA, Technical Excellence, Future Ready EIA etc.
• Inspiring and upskilling junior colleagues to support their career development.
• 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…

• A relevant environmental degree level qualification in EIA, or similar
• Achieved or demonstrably working towards Chartered Environmental Status and Full membership of IEMA, or similar qualification with a relevant professional body
• Excellent experience of EIA and EIA processes and working with limited supervision within multi-disciplinary teams
• Sound knowledge and experience of relevant environmental and planning legislation
• First rate verbal and written communication skills including report writing and reviewing with an attention to detail
• Experience in large scale infrastructure projects, for example, rail, highways, energy, commercial / residential
• Comprehensive project management skills, including commercial and risk aspects, forecasting, and quality assurance

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