Principal Environmental Permitting Consultant

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible hours

Career development

Chartered support

Wellbeing program

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland seeks a Principal Environmental Permitting Consultant to lead complex permitting and regulatory projects for diverse clients in energy, waste, and utilities sectors.

You will provide technical leadership, oversee environmental permit applications and risk assessments, and act as a trusted advisor navigating regulatory requirements while mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering environmental permitting, regulatory and permitting projects.
• Proven ability to lead complex permit applications and regulatory submissions.
• Strong project management skills with multiple concurrent programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of complex environmental permitting, compliance and regulatory projects.
• Oversee preparation of Environmental Permit applications and reports.
• Provide legal compliance and audit assessments for clients.

Skills

Environmental permitting

Regulatory frameworks

Permit applications

Regulatory submissions

Project management

Client relationships

Commercial awareness

Mentoring

Communication

Chartered status / membership

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.

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.

As we deliver on our growth strategy, the range of services we provide and the work we deliver is expanding. We are looking for talented people with experience delivering these services to join our established Environmental Permitting, Compliance & Nuclear Regulation team at Senior Consultant and Principal Consultant grades.

A Little More About Your Role…

As a Principal Environmental Permitting Consultant, you will play a leading role in the delivery of complex permitting, compliance and regulatory projects across a diverse client base within the energy, energy transition, waste, industrial, manufacturing and utilities sectors.

You will provide technical leadership on major projects, oversee the preparation of Environmental Permit applications, including supporting reports such as environmental risk assessments and management plans, undertake legal compliance and audit assessments, and act as a trusted advisor to clients navigating regulatory requirements.

Working closely with multidisciplinary teams across WSP, you will manage project delivery, support business development activities, and help build and maintain long‑term client relationships. You will also mentor and support the development of junior team members, sharing your technical expertise and industry knowledge.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence nationally significant infrastructure and environmental projects while helping shape the future growth of our Environmental Permitting, Compliance & Nuclear Regulation team.

Your Team

You will be welcomed to an established and highly capable and growing team of twenty‑five Environmental Permitting experts at various stages of their careers, presenting opportunities to both mentor/guide early career professionals alongside the opportunity to learn from highly experienced experts.

The Environmental Permitting, Compliance & Nuclear Regulation team sits within a wider Sustainable Resources Discipline of over 100 specialists working across a variety of sectors providing deep and broad technical advisory services to translate sustainability strategy into compliant, resilient, low‑risk operational change, to make sustainability real.

Our main hub for Environmental Permitting, Compliance & Nuclear Regulation is in Manchester, though we have members of the team across many of WSP’s 30 offices throughout the UK.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

We welcome applications from a range of consulting, regulatory and industry backgrounds.

You Will Ideally Be Able To Demonstrate

• Extensive experience working within environmental permitting, compliance and regulatory frameworks.


• Strong technical expertise in Environmental Permitting Regulations, associated guidance and environmental policy.


• Proven experience leading the preparation and delivery of complex permit applications and regulatory submissions.


• The ability to manage multiple projects, budgets and programmes of work effectively.


• Experience developing and maintaining trusted client relationships.


• Strong commercial awareness and a proactive approach to identifying opportunities for growth.


• Experience mentoring, coaching and supporting the development of colleagues.


• Excellent communication skills and the ability to engage confidently with clients, regulators and project teams.


• Chartered status or membership of a relevant professional institution, or a clear pathway towards achieving it.

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.

• Purpose‑driven work: Contribute to nationally significant projects and the UK’s net zero ambitions.‑zero ambitions.


• Inclusive culture: Work with a diverse group of professionals who value each other’s unique strengths.


• Career growth: Access sector experts, mentoring, structured development pathways and opportunities across more than 70,000 colleagues globally.


• Collaborative team: Join a friendly, respected, and expanding environmental permitting and compliance community that supports your success at every stage.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds, including those returning to work after career breaks, those seeking flexible working arrangements, and individuals looking to transfer experience from other regulated industries.

With us, you can.

About Us

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.

#WeAreWSP

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.