Principal Land Consultant

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and wellbeing programs

Flexible work arrangements

Development and training opportunities

Employee resource groups for inclusivity

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Principal Land Consultant to support the delivery of major infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland. This role involves advising on land acquisition processes, managing stakeholder relationships, and ensuring project success through effective land referencing practices.

Based in Manchester, this position offers hybrid working options and the chance to contribute to significant projects, including energy, rail, and highways initiatives. Ideal candidates will have a degree in a relevant field and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of land referencing practices and data interpretation.
• Experience in infrastructure development schemes with multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to reduce land risk for clients throughout project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Ensure successful delivery of land-related projects on time and within budget.
• Advise clients on land acquisition statutory processes.
• Liaise effectively with stakeholders including landowners and planning authorities.

Skills

In-depth knowledge of land referencing practices

Effective communication and negotiation skills

Teamwork and initiative

Strong public engagement skills

Business and IT skills

Education

Degree in Geography, Land/Estate Management, Agriculture or similar

Chartership or membership of a relevant professional body

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.

WSP’s Land team is seeking talented Land professionals to join the largest and most successful team in our industry. This is an exciting opportunity to develop or begin a career with a team that enjoys a reputation for the successful delivery of major strategic infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland. We do this through the support provided in land referencing, urban and rural landowner engagement, consultation management, land access, formal consents, statutory orders, compensation agreements and land acquisition. Apply and come and discuss the contributions you can make in the delivery of the widest portfolio of projects across all sectors in the UK and Ireland.

The Role

We are the largest and most successful Land business supporting infrastructure development in the UK and Ireland, with 300+ specialist professional colleagues consisting of land consultants, property specialists, project managers and utility and topographical surveyors. We have the widest portfolio of projects available in our industry, offering unrivalled opportunities to both develop and diversify careers, working on some of the most exciting and challenging projects across the whole of the UK and Ireland.

Our land referencing professionals identify land and legal interest in land and use this data to secure powers and/or negotiate land acquisition and land access to support infrastructure development. We provide clients with all the land‑related statutory documentation needed to comply with planning processes as they develop, plan, secure and exercise powers to construct, operate and maintain their infrastructure assets. Using the land referencing data, we ensure projects not just comply with legislation but also fulfil their data security obligations, engage meaningfully with landowners and other affected stakeholders, and maximise the benefits of the land data we provide throughout project lifecycle, ultimately registering the new rights in the name of the client.

Principal Land Consultant

• Ensure successful delivery of projects securely, on time, within budget and to high standards.
• Be a trusted advisor to clients (externally and internally) and manage relationships.
• Advise on Land issues across the UK and Ireland, including at least some of the relevant statutory processes to acquire land such as DCOs, DNOs, hybrid Bills, Scottish Bills, TWA, T&CPA, CPOs, Motorway Orders, Vesting Orders, etc.
• 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 as part of project supply chains.
• Undertake quality assurance of deliverables such as book of reference, land plans and statement of reasons in relation to consents and acquisition of land rights for large‑scale development projects, as well as land acquisition and planning applications.
• Support quality and 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 and tenders to secure opportunities from internal and external clients.
• Delivery of training on technical topics by contributing to and participating in our CPD‑accredited Land Academy.
• UK and Ireland travel plus the possibility of travel to WSP’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

• In depth knowledge of land referencing practices such as detailed HMLR interpretation, book of reference production and delivery of quantitative data analysis.
• Experience in working on infrastructure development schemes with multi‑disciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations.
• Demonstrable experience of reducing land risk for clients and advising them on land‑related matters throughout all stages of a project lifecycle.
• Track record of the development of Orders, etc and/or acquisition of consents and interests in land, and knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Ability to work in a team and on own initiative, being able to work 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 skills.
• A degree in Geography, Land/Estate Management, Agriculture or similar.
• Chartership or membership of a relevant professional body would be advantageous.
• The ability to travel effectively to various sites/locations is a necessary function of this role.
• Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team. Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Where will you be based?

We support high‑profile infrastructure projects across the north of England as well as elsewhere in the UK and Ireland. Local projects include TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU), HS2, the HyNet carbon capture project and Project Union. Many of our Energy projects are critical for the deployment of renewable energy, helping the UK economy to achieve net‑zero carbon emissions, and we support emerging rail, water, highways and other projects that represent investment in the UK’s future.

The role is based in Manchester with the flexibility of hybrid working between one of these locations and from home. The ideal candidate will be based in the greater Manchester area.

Join our close‑knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

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 which bring together employees and allies of 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.

With us, you can. Apply today.

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.