Principal Environmental Permitting Leader (Hybrid)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Thrive programme

Gymflex scheme

Chartership support

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Principal Environmental Permitting Consultant to lead complex permitting, compliance and regulatory projects for a diverse client base across energy, waste, industrial and utilities sectors.

You will provide technical leadership, oversee permit applications, mentor junior staff and help build long-term client relationships while contributing to national infrastructure and sustainability goals.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Environmental permitting

Regulatory frameworks

Client relationships

Mentoring

Project management

Commercial awareness

Communication

Chartered status pathway

Technical leadership

Job description

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Principal Environmental Permitting Consultant to lead complex permitting, compliance and regulatory projects for a diverse client base across energy, waste, industrial and utilities sectors.

You will provide technical leadership, oversee permit applications, mentor junior staff and help build long-term client relationships while contributing to national infrastructure and sustainability goals.