Strategic Growth Director, Infrastructure (Planning, Environment and Sustainability)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Thrive programme and Virtual GP service

Flexible working arrangements

Training and mentoring investment

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Strategic Growth Director to drive growth in its infrastructure portfolio. This senior leadership role involves leading strategy development, engaging with stakeholders, and winning new business. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of UK infrastructure markets and proven experience in strategic growth and managing complex bids. The position offers hybrid working arrangements and a wealth of health and wellbeing benefits, fostering an inclusive workplace culture.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of UK infrastructure markets, including Rail, Water, Highways, Aviation and Local Government.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in complex matrix organisations.
• Experience leading and influencing strategic growth, major bids and work‑winning activity.
• Ability to build credibility and effective relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking combined with the ability to translate insight into practical, deliverable plans.
• Experience of direct and virtual line management, with a focus on performance and development.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities across sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of the infrastructure growth strategy.
• Collaborate to provide market intelligence and inform sector strategies.
• Identify key market trends influencing infrastructure resilience.
• Champion market-facing thought leadership.
• Build and maintain strategic client relationships.
• Support cross‑selling and integrated client propositions.
• Work with Key Account Directors to strengthen client positioning.
• Act as bid lead for major bids and tenders.

Skills

Understanding of UK infrastructure markets

Effective in complex matrix organisations

Experience in strategic growth and work-winning activity

Ability to build credibility with stakeholders

Strategic thinking and practical planning

Experience in line management

Strong organisational skills

Job description

Job Title: Strategic Growth Director

We are seeking a senior leadership opportunity to shape and deliver growth across WSP’s Infrastructure portfolio.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, refinement and deployment of the infrastructure growth strategy, ensuring alignment with EPES strategy and Business Unit priorities.
• Collaborate with colleagues across WSP to provide market intelligence, research and insight to inform sector strategies, BU growth plans and investment decisions.
• Identify and interpret key market, regulatory and policy trends influencing infrastructure resilience agendas.
• Champion the development, promotion and communication of market-facing thought leadership, bringing together diverse teams and skills where necessary.
• Build and maintain strategic client relationships appropriate to the role.
• Support and enable cross‑selling and integrated client propositions across the infrastructure portfolio.
• Work with Key Account Directors to strengthen strategic relationships and long‑term client positioning.
• Lead and coordinate the identification, prioritisation and assessment of strategic and complex opportunities across the infrastructure end markets.
• Act as bid lead or sponsor for major bids and tenders and support significant strategic input to bids led by other sectors or business units, including capture, intelligence gathering and partnership approaches.
• Shape capture strategies, early positioning, market intelligence and partnership approaches.

Key Clients & Stakeholder Engagement

Engage with senior internal and external stakeholders across sectors to develop long‑term client positioning.

Strategic Sales Pipeline & Work Winning

Drive strategic sales pipeline activities to win new business and support cross‑selling across sectors and disciplines.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of UK infrastructure markets, including Rail, Water, Highways, Aviation and Local Government.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in complex matrix organisations.
• Experience leading and influencing strategic growth, major bids and work‑winning activity.
• Ability to build credibility and effective relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking combined with the ability to translate insight into practical, deliverable plans.
• Experience of direct and virtual line management, with a focus on performance and development.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities across sectors.

Benefits

Work‑life balance: Hybrid working policy allows you to work from home two days a week and collaborate in modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging: We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and encourage a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Health & Wellbeing: We provide a Thrive programme, a Virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, a Gymflex scheme, and a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time: WSP My Hour allows you to take one hour each day for personal activities, and we offer part‑time and flexible working arrangements.

Your development: We invest in training, mentoring, and Chartership to support your growth.

EEO Statement

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.