Strategic Environmental Assessment - Principal / Associate / Associate Director

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland seeks a Principal, Associate / Associate Director to lead environmental and sustainability assessment projects within the Infrastructure Planning and Environmental Assessment team. You will collaborate with a diverse group of specialists to drive delivery across the UK and overseas, shaping strategic outcomes for clients and projects.

You will grow opportunities, define commissions, and deliver high‑quality outputs while mentoring team members and promoting inclusive,

Qualifications

• Experience leading SEA/SA for public and private clients.
• Deeper understanding of SEA rules, guidance and EOR implications.
• Experience with IIA, HRA, WFD, HIA, EqIA is desirable.
• Degree in environmental/planning field; chartered status or progress.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate environmental assessment projects across sectors.
• Develop and deliver project strategies, budgets and schedules.
• Foster client relationships and bid opportunities.
• Mentor and develop internal teams.
• Collaborate across disciplines and manage multi‑team outputs.
• Promote digitisation and new assessment approaches.

Skills

SEA/SA leadership

Client relationship management

People management

Bid/win work

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Strategic planning

GIS expertise

Project delivery

Education

Environmental or planning degree

Chartered status or in progress

Tools

GIS software

MS Word

MS Excel

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.

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.

A Little More About Your Role…

As a Principal, Associate / Associate Director in the Infrastructure Planning and Environmental Assessment team, you will collaborate with a diverse team of technical specialists and professionals to lead and coordinate the delivery of key environmental and sustainability assessment projects. Your work will support our clients to address long term strategic challenges such achieving net zero, providing sustainable water resources, providing homes and disposing of radioactive waste.You will help ensure that sustainability is embedded into plan-making and decision taking.You will be instrumental in growing opportunities and the team, driving improvements and enhancing our client offer.

The role would suit an enthusiastic individual looking to influence, lead and deliver environmental and sustainability appraisal and assessment projects. You will have responsibility for leading project delivery, sector business development, service innovation and team development.

You Will

• Play a leading role in growing our assessment and appraisal offer, working with sector leads and client account managers to drive thought leadership and win new business.
• Build strong client relationships and identify opportunities to support project strategy, resourcing and delivery.
• Take responsibility for defining medium and long-term market opportunities, and contribute towards developing appropriate business plans.
• Take responsibility for scoping individual commissions, prepare proposals and winning work.
• Provide project/task management to our multi-disciplinary teams working on projects across the UK and overseas. Work will involve client facing activity and managing projects and subcontractors
• Work with colleagues, environmental specialists, and clients to promote and deliver evidence lead outcomes from assessment and appraisal work, taking responsibility for the delivery of high-quality outputs.
• You will collaborate to design and implement new assessment tools, considering emerging and new practice, including digitisation and assessment automation.
• Drive performance improvement and career advancement opportunities across team.
• Promote an inclusive and positive team environment, acting as a trusted advisor and mentor.
• Promote an inclusive workplace, demonstrating an understanding of Health and Safety whilst living the values of our health, safety, and wellbeing culture.
• Undertake actions that contribute towards the success of the WSP business strategy, whilst being self-motivated towards goals relevant to the role, team, and your projects.

What we are looking to you to demonstrate…

• Experience of leading the successful delivery of Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and or Sustainability Appraisal (SA) to clients in the public and private sector.
• A detailed understanding of SEA regulatory requirements, case law and guidance and the implications of Environmental Outcome Reporting (EOR).
• Experience of working with Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA), Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Water Framework Directive (WFD) Assessment, Health Impact Assessment (HIA) and Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA).
• Familiarity with project and scheme development impacts in variety of sectors e.g., housing, water, waste and resources, energy.
• Relevant environmental or planning degree (or equivalent experience), with chartered status or actively working towards chartership.
• Knowledge of emerging environmental and planning policy trends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong report writing and review capabilities, attention to detail, and a focus on quality assurance.
• Proven people management experience and a track record of developing and upskilling internal teams.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to strategic planning, win new work through bids and proposals, and enhance reputation in the assessment and appraisal sector.
• Ability to work across multiple technical disciplines and manage competing priorities.
• Excellent understanding of how GIS software is used to inform SEA/ SA, including the potential opportunities for the automation of assessment outputs.
• Confidence engaging with clients, regulators and stakeholders.Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

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.