Senior Land & Consents Consultant

WSP; Easter Howgate; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global professional services firm is seeking a Senior Consultant to join the Land team. This role focuses on negotiating land access and acquiring land for strategic infrastructure projects across Scotland. The ideal candidate will have strong negotiation skills, experience in land assembly, and knowledge of Scottish legislation. This position allows for remote work with occasional site visits. Join us to make a positive impact in land services and infrastructure projects.

Benefits

Professional accreditation support

Opportunities for career growth

Qualifications

• Proven track record in the delivery of land and property related services.
• Experience in negotiating agreements for access to property.
• Knowledge of key legislation relevant to Scotland.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate access to and acquire complex land for projects.
• Provide strategic land advice to clients.
• Manage and settle compensation claims.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation skills

Autonomy

Communication skills

Education

Associate or full membership to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors

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.

Make your career future ready!

WSP is a global professional services firm specialising in engineering and advisory services. We are also one of the UK’s largest suppliers of Land Services to clients who develop major highway, rail, energy and renewable infrastructure projects, all of which impact privately owned land.

Client Projects

• SSE – Transmission and Distribution
• National Gas
• Transport Scotland
• Heathrow Airport
• Thames Water
• Hynet
• Dublin Metrolink
• RWE Renewables
• Statkraft

To find out more about our Land services business: https://www.wsp.com/en-gb/services/land-referencing-and-land-assembly

What we need

As a result of continued project success and the award of new projects, our projected pipeline of work is already looking very healthy. Our 2026‑2027 growth strategy aims to further increase revenue, and the Land Discipline is therefore looking to expand and strengthen the team of experienced land professionals by adding a senior level consultant.

As a valued member of our Land team, you’ll play a crucial role in delivering essential services related to land acquisition, valuation, compulsory purchase, compensation, landowner engagement, land access, wayleaves, consents and negotiations.

This role will involve a significant amount of site‑based work for projects in the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire. It is ideally suited to a candidate based in one of these areas, working remotely with occasional travel to our offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Perth.

A little more about your role…

Our exciting projects may involve any of the following:

Responsibilities

• Negotiating access to and acquiring complex land for high‑profile, strategic infrastructure projects across Scotland, and potentially supporting projects elsewhere in the UK.
• Securing appropriate land rights for large‑scale development projects.
• Providing strategic land advice to our clients.
• Drafting and preparing consent documents.
• Utilising statutory powers and other mechanisms to acquire land (e.g., CPO, TCPA, DCO) across highways, rail, water, gas and all energy sectors including renewables.
• Negotiating Heads of Terms to secure land for projects.
• Liaising with major landowners, land agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients.
• Managing and settling compensation claims (e.g., CPO, land damage, voluntary).
• Working with WSP’s wider multi‑disciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations across the UK.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

Our Land team comprises colleagues from diverse backgrounds, and we consider candidates with transferable skills in land and consents management. You may meet some but not all of the requirements listed below – we’d still like to hear from you.

Qualifications & Experience

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Effective, concise communication with strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and communicate effectively while working remotely.
• Proven track record in the delivery of land and property related services.
• Experience of land assembly projects and GDPR and data protection requirements.
• Experience of negotiating agreements for access to or rights in property, e.g., Heads of Terms for licences or leases, wayleave, servitudes, exclusivity agreements, option agreements.
• Experience of managing and settling a range of voluntary and compulsory purchase compensation claims.
• Experience of valuation of land and/or buildings.
• Experience in high‑profile infrastructure development schemes. Particular interest in the road, rail, gas, electricity, water, utilities or renewable energy sector.
• Understanding of land ownership and occupation in Scotland and its implications for securing agreements.
• Knowledge of key legislation, including:
  • Scottish planning system, NPF4 Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997
  • The Electricity Act 1989
  • The Gas Act 1986
  • Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 & Transport Act 1962
  • Water Industry Act (Scotland) Act 2002
  • Water (Scotland) Act 1980
  • Sewerage (Scotland) Act 1968
  • Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003
  • Agricultural tenancies/agreements in Scotland
  • Crofting Law
  • Broad knowledge of other relevant legislation and procedures.
• Ability to travel to site and remote locations.
• Associate or full membership to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or other professional membership or chartership is desirable but not essential. WSP supports professional accreditation.

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.

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 69,000 employees working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

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