Principal EIA Consultant - Scotland based

WSP in the UK & Ireland; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Principal EIA Consultant to join our Environmental Management and Assessment Team in Scotland. You will lead environmental impact assessments across sectors, coordinating multi-disciplinary design teams to deliver robust environmental outcomes for developments.

You’ll bring Chartered Environmentalist status (or be working towards it), strong UK planning knowledge and demonstrable project management experience.

Qualifications

• A relevant degree in environmental assessment or related discipline.
• Chartered Environmentalist status (or working towards it), with IEMA membership or equivalent.
• Strong experience delivering and coordinating EIAs within multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Good knowledge of UK environmental and planning legislation.
• Demonstrable project management experience, including commercial and risk awareness.
• Experience of work winning, bid preparation or proposals.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail.
• A positive, proactive attitude to health, safety and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Providing environmental advice and support to clients, project managers and colleagues.
• Leading and coordinating EIA and environmental management workstreams across multiple sectors.
• Managing delivery of screening and scoping reports, constraints studies, Environmental Statements and environmental management plans.
• Working collaboratively to promote sustainable design and environmental enhancement.
• Managing projects, including quality, commercial, programme, financial and H&S performance.
• Building trusted client relationships and identifying opportunities to add value.
• Supporting work winning through bids, proposals and strategic business development.
• Contributing to innovation such as Digital EIA, Technical Excellence and Future Ready EIA.
• Mentoring, inspiring and developing junior colleagues.
• Promoting an inclusive workplace and a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture.
• Supporting the wider WSP business strategy through proactive and collaborative working.

Skills

Project management

Written and verbal communication

Bid preparation / proposals

Health, safety and wellbeing mindset

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in environmental assessment or related discipline

Chartered Environmentalist status / IEMA membership

Job description

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.

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. If you’re a Principal environmental professional, or seeking this next step in your career, looking to work on challenging, meaningful projects — and influence how development interacts with the environment and communities — this could be the role for you. At WSP, you’ll join our Environmental Management and Assessment Team in the Scotland based offices and support projects across a wide range of sectors, including energy, aviation, nuclear, rail, property and local government. We’re looking for someone with a creative spirit, a dedicated approach and a strong grounding in environmental design, assessment and management across the development lifecycle.

Why WSP?

As one of the UK’s largest environmental consultancies, WSP is trusted to deliver environmental leadership on projects ranging from small developments to major nationally significant infrastructure schemes. Our Environmental Management and Assessment Team coordinates and manages environmental inputs throughout the full lifecycle of these projects. This role is ideal for a proactive individual who enjoys taking initiative, influencing outcomes and continuing to develop professionally.

What You’ll Be Doing

As a Principal EIA Consultant, you’ll work alongside technical environmental specialists and multi‑disciplinary design teams to manage environmental inputs and improve environmental performance across a diverse range of projects.

Your Typical Responsibilities Will Include

• Providing environmental advice and support to clients, project managers and colleagues
• Leading and coordinating EIA and environmental management workstreams across multiple sectors
• Managing delivery of screening and scoping reports, constraints studies, Environmental Statements and environmental management plans
• Working collaboratively to promote sustainable design and environmental enhancement
• Managing projects, including quality, commercial, programme, financial and H&S performance
• Building trusted client relationships and identifying opportunities to add value
• Supporting work winning through bids, proposals and strategic business development
• Contributing to innovation such as Digital EIA, Technical Excellence and Future Ready EIA
• Mentoring, inspiring and developing junior colleagues
• Promoting an inclusive workplace and a strong health, safety and wellbeing culture
• Supporting the wider WSP business strategy through proactive and collaborative working

What You’ll Bring

You’ll be an enthusiastic and capable environmental professional who enjoys influencing and delivering complex projects. You’ll typically have:

• A relevant degree in environmental assessment or a related discipline
• Chartered Environmentalist status (or working towards it), with IEMA membership or equivalent
• Strong experience delivering and coordinating EIAs within multi‑disciplinary teams
• Good knowledge of UK environmental and planning legislation
• Demonstrable project management experience, including commercial and risk awareness
• Experience of work winning, bid preparation or proposals
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail
• A positive, proactive attitude to health, safety and wellbeing

What You’ll Get

• The chance to work on high‑profile, technically interesting projects that make a real difference
• Real influence over project outcomes from the earliest stages
• A supportive, collaborative and inclusive culture across the UK
• Opportunities to grow your career, broaden sector experience and shape best practice
• A fulfilling working environment where wellbeing, safety and flexibility matter

If you’re looking for a role where you can combine environmental leadership with career progression and meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you.

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?