Principal Land Consultant

WSP; Guildford; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working patterns

Competitive salaries and benefits

CPD-accredited Land Academy

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Principal Land Consultant to support major strategic infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland. The role focuses on land referencing, acquisition, access, consents and engagement with landowners and authorities.

You will lead on land rights, liaise with stakeholders, and ensure delivery within budget while mentoring staff. Ideal candidates will have experience in land matters for infrastructure projects, strong negotiation and communication skills, and a degree in

Qualifications

• Degree in Geography, Land/Estate Management, Agriculture or related field.
• Chartership or membership of a relevant professional body is advantageous.
• Experience negotiating commercial terms with landowners and knowledge of legal process for acquisition of wayleaves and easements.
• Experience reducing land risk for clients and advising on land-related matters throughout project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Deliver secure, on-time, within-budget land deliverables.
• Be a trusted advisor to clients and manage relationships.
• Negotiate land rights and access across UK & Ireland, including statutory processes.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and contribute to bids and knowledge sharing.
• Provide training and mentorship to staff within the Land team.

Skills

Land acquisition

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Project management

Education

Degree in Geography or Land/Estate Management

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Principal Land Consultant – WSP

Job Description

WSP’s Land team is seeking talented land professionals to support major strategic infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland. The role involves land referencing, land acquisition, land access, formal consents, statutory orders and landowner engagement to deliver projects on time and within budget.

• Ensure successful delivery of projects securely, on time, within budget and to high standards.
• Be a trusted advisor to clients and manage relationships.
• Advise on land issues across the UK and Ireland, including statutory processes for acquisition such as DCOs, DNOs, hybrid Bills, Scottish Bills, TWA, T&CPA, CPOs, Motorway Orders, Vesting Orders, etc.
• Secure land rights for high‑profile, strategic infrastructure projects across all sectors.
• Liaise with landowners, land agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients.
• Work with Land team colleagues and collaborate with engineering, environmental and planning teams both within WSP and across project supply chains.
• Undertake quality assurance of deliverables related to the identification of land interests and rights, negotiation of access for surveys, consents and acquisition of land rights for large‑scale development projects.
• Support the sharing of knowledge and lessons across regions and projects.
• People management as a leader and role model.
• Manage, motivate, mentor and develop staff and contribute to the development and delivery of the business strategy.
• Support the writing of bids/tenders to secure opportunities from internal and external clients.
• Deliver training on technical topics as part of the CPD‑accredited Land Academy.
• UK and Ireland travel, with possible travel to WSP’s Global Capability Centre in India.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

• Expertise in urban and/or rural environment, property, communities and stakeholders.
• Experience working on infrastructure development schemes with multidisciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations.
• Experience negotiating commercial terms with landowners and knowledge of the legal process for acquisition of wayleaves and easements.
• Demonstrable experience reducing land risk for clients and advising on land‑related matters throughout all stages of a project lifecycle.
• Track record of developing orders, consents and land interests, and knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Excellent communication, influencing and negotiating skills.
• Ability to work in a team and on own initiative, under pressure and deliver high quality outputs.
• Strong landowner and public engagement skills.
• Good business and IT skills.
• Adherence to quality assurance and good document management.
• A degree in Geography, Land/Estate Management, Agriculture or a related field.
• Chartership or membership of a relevant professional body is advantageous.
• Ability to travel effectively to various sites/locations.

WSP offers flexible working patterns, competitive salaries and benefits.

To apply, please submit your application through the WSP careers portal.