Regional Account Lead, Water Sector PMCM

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Health & wellbeing programs

Gymflex scheme

Career development & Chartership

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a relationship-led professional to own key client accounts within a defined UK region, combining client leadership with growth and delivery. You will build trusted relationships, identify opportunities and support framework managers while remaining connected to delivery through billable work.

The role blends regional account ownership with delivery credibility, requiring collaboration across regional and national teams and willingness to travel within the UK.

Qualifications

• Experience building trusted client relationships and leading account activity within a B2B or framework environment.
• Business development experience covering opportunity identification, early positioning, capture planning and bid leadership.
• Experience in water, utilities, regulated infrastructure or related infrastructure markets.
• Commercial awareness including pipeline management, bid decisions, delivery risk and profitability.

Responsibilities

• Act as Account Lead or Client Director for one or more strategic water-sector accounts.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders and regional decision-makers.
• Develop understanding of client priorities, investment drivers, procurement routes and opportunities.
• Maintain account plans, pipelines and action plans for priority clients and provide regional oversight.
• Lead pre-positioning, client engagement, capture planning and bid activity for priority opportunities.
• Help bid teams develop client-focused proposals reflecting WSP capabilities and local market needs.

Skills

Relationship-building

Account leadership

Business development

Bid leadership

Commercial awareness

Pipeline management

Cross-functional collaboration

Tools

CRM systems

Microsoft 365

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 some of the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that welcomes new ideas and diverse perspectives, while experiencing a world of opportunity to shape a career as unique as you.

A Little More About Your Role

Our Water Sector Project, Programme and Commercial Management team is growing, and we are looking for an ambitious, relationship-led professional to take ownership of key client accounts within a defined UK region.

This is an opportunity to combine client leadership, business growth and practical delivery. You will build trusted relationships, identify and convert opportunities, support our framework managers and remain connected to delivery through selected billable assignments.

This is not a purely sales‑focused position, nor is it solely a delivery role. Its strength lies in the combination of regional account ownership, growth leadership, framework support and hands‑on delivery credibility.

You Will

• Act as Account Lead or Client Director for one or more strategic water‑sector accounts.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, framework owners, delivery leads and regional decision‑makers.
• Develop a clear understanding of client priorities, investment drivers, procurement routes, framework positions and emerging opportunities.
• Maintain effective account plans, pipelines and action plans for priority clients.
• Provide joined‑up regional oversight aligned with our wider Water Sector strategy.
• Guide and support framework managers, helping them identify opportunities, elevate client issues and coordinate the right WSP expertise.
• Connect local client intelligence with sector leadership, capture teams, technical practices and delivery teams.
• Lead pre‑positioning, client engagement, capture planning and bid activity for priority opportunities.
• Help bid teams develop compelling, client‑focused proposals that reflect WSP’s capabilities and local market needs.
• Represent WSP at client meetings, market‑engagement events and relevant industry forums.
• Remain partly billable through selected project, programme, advisory, Project Director or Principal‑level assignments.
• Support successful delivery across quality, commercial performance, client satisfaction and risk management.
• Coach and mentor project managers, framework managers and technical leads where this contributes to stronger delivery and account growth.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

You will bring strong relationship‑building skills, commercial awareness and the ability to coordinate account activity across regional and national teams.

We Would Like You To Demonstrate

• Experience of building trusted client relationships and leading account activity within a business‑to‑business or framework environment.
• Business development experience covering opportunity identification, early positioning, capture planning and bid leadership.
• Experience within water, utilities, regulated infrastructure, environmental programmes, local government frameworks or another relevant infrastructure market.
• Commercial awareness, including an understanding of pipeline management, bid decisions, delivery risk and account profitability.
• The ability to connect client insight with technical capability and delivery resources across multidisciplinary teams.
• A credible delivery background in areas such as programme management, project management, project controls, cost or commercial management, advisory services or technical delivery.
• A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to influence and support teams without creating unnecessary hierarchy.
• Flexibility to travel within your region and to other UK client or framework locations when required.

It would also be helpful if you bring one or more of the following:

• Direct water‑sector experience, including exposure to AMP8 programmes, water-company frameworks, strategic resource options or environmental improvement programmes.
• A relevant professional qualification or chartered status.
• An established network across water, utilities, regulated infrastructure or local government.
• Familiarity with CRM and pipeline management systems, project controls or reporting tools, and Microsoft 365 collaboration environments.

If your experience is stronger in either water‑sector delivery or client‑account growth, rather than both, we would still be interested in hearing from you. Transferable experience gained within complex, regulated or client‑facing environments may align well with this opportunity.

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. Our global team includes more than 84,000 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 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.