Senior/Principal Land Consultant

WSP; Remote; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy firm is looking for a senior level consultant in the land discipline. This role involves negotiating land acquisitions for high-profile infrastructure projects across Scotland. Candidates should have interpersonal skills, strong negotiation abilities, and experience in land assembly. Familiarity with the Scottish planning system and the laws governing land use is beneficial. The position requires site-based work and may involve remote working, with occasional travel to offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Perth.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading delivery of land and property services.
• Experience negotiating agreements for access to property.
• Understanding of the Scottish planning system and relevant legislation.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate and acquire complex land for strategic infrastructure projects.
• Secure land rights for large scale development projects.
• Draft consent documents and manage compensation claims.

Skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Effective communication

Negotiation skills

Ability to work autonomously

Experience in land assembly projects

Valuation of land and/or buildings

Education

Associate or full Membership to RICS

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.

What we need

As a result of continued project success and new projects, our pipeline of work is already looking very healthy, and our 2026‑2027 growth strategy is aiming to further increase our projected revenue. 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 our projects in the Highlands, Moray and Aberdeenshire areas, and so would ideally suit a candidate already based in one of these areas in a remote working position, with occasional travel to one of our existing offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Perth.

A little more about your role…

• Negotiating access to and acquiring complex land for high‑profile, strategic infrastructure projects across Scotland, and potentially supporting on other projects across 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 available mechanisms to acquire land (such as CPO, TCPA, DCO, etc.) on behalf of WSP clients across highways, rail, water, gas and all energy sectors including renewables.
• Negotiation of 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 etc).
• 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…

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Effective, concise communication with strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and communicate with the rest of the team effectively while working remotely.
• Proven track record in the leading delivery of land and property related services.
• Experience of land assembly projects and the requirements around GDPR and data protection and security of personal data.
• 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, particularly in the road, rail, gas, electricity, water, utilities or renewable energy sector.
• Understanding of land ownership and occupation in Scotland and the implication this can have for securing agreements for clients.
• Understanding of the 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, and 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 is committed to supporting its team members towards 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.