Technical Director/Director Civil Engineering (Development)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Thrive programme for health

Gymflex scheme for gym memberships

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Senior Leadership position based in Basingstoke. This role focuses on client interactions, technical leadership, and business growth, prioritizing strategic direction and innovation. Candidates should have a degree in civil engineering, ideally with chartered status. The position emphasizes interpersonal skills and a proven track record in business development while contributing to a diverse and inclusive team. Flexible work arrangements and a commitment to staff wellbeing are part of the offered benefits.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated track record in delivering new business opportunities.
• Wide project experience both in discipline and multi‑disciplinary.
• Ability to inspire and lead change initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and visible leadership.
• Engage with Technical Leadership Group to promote technical innovation.
• Drive business development and establish relationships.

Skills

Inter‑personal skills

Leadership and management abilities

Commercial and strategic capability

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Degree in civil engineering

Chartered status or working towards chartership

Job description

Job Description

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.

Role

Specifically supporting the Development part, you will play a key role in the growth aspirations for Basingstoke and Southwest to South and Southeast region. This senior position will be very much centred on client facing activities, technical leadership and business growth, rather than day‑to‑day operational management and will play an integral part in supporting the initiative to diversify our team, both in staff numbers and revenue.

• Providing strategic direction and highly visible leadership
• Exhibiting and demonstrating behaviours and attitudes in accordance with WSP core values
• Working in partnership with other colleagues to ensure coordination across the Development discipline and sharing of market intelligence, best practice and innovation
• Engaging with the Technical Leadership Group (TLG) to promote technical innovation, best practice and technological advancements for infrastructure development for major projects
• Liaising with the Regional Director and local Office Place Lead in setting and agreeing appropriate local team structures / shapes / skills sets
• Driving business development by being embedded within local networks of decision makers and establishing lasting relationships
• Winning work from key accounts and aligning the business to secure major opportunities and an increasing order book
• Leading and supporting bids by contributing, reviewing and authorising submissions and by demonstrating added value both commercially and technically
• Acting as Project Manager or Director for major projects and strategically important commissions
• Supporting all aspects associated with H&S / Corporate Responsibility and ensuring the team complies with SHEQ (Safety, Health, Environment and Quality)
• Mentoring of selected colleagues on the Succession Planning Schedule, Emerging Talent schedule

Your Team

• The Development Team is a well‑established and high performing discipline within the Planning and Development business unit which includes over 800 colleagues focused on project delivery through the whole project life cycle, from initial land acquisition, planning support and design, through to scheme implementation and handover.
• Our vision is to be recognised as the best Development team in the industry. We strive to achieve this through continuous improvement and a management structure comprising of four pillars, namely; Technical Excellence, People, Clients and Operational Excellence.
• We help our clients to promote, implement and manage sustainable development, from pre‑feasibility through to planning consent; establish plans and provision for how an area, its accessibility, and needs, will develop over time and guide sustainable future development; and develop multi‑disciplinary design from concept through to detailed design and construction.
• We work with public/private sector land promoters and house builders, developers, signature architects, Government, and local authorities. Some of the multi‑disciplinary services we provide that you will help deliver include:
  • Civil engineering, highways design and earthworks strategies
  • Utilities, energy planning and coordination
  • Drainage, flood risk and SuDS
  • Site appraisal, due diligence, and strategic planning advice.

What We Will Be Looking For

• Inter‑personal skills with good leadership and management abilities.
• Commercial and strategic capability with a demonstrable track record in having identified and subsequently delivered new business opportunities.
• Expert stakeholder management and related relationship and team management skills.
• Demonstrate ability to improve, motivate and encourage others within the workplace, lead and implement change programmes, inspiring colleagues and drive an innovative and supportive culture. Act as a catalyst for change.
• Forward thinking, capable of visualising and planning for the longer term.
• A broad range of project experience, both within Discipline and multi‑disciplinary.
• Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively, use own knowledge to support and coach others as required. Actively champion sharing knowledge, ideas and intelligence. Have presentation skills, able to lead and facilitate workshops, training sessions and one‑to‑one learning. Influential and persuasive internally and externally, encourages open dialogue and feedback.
• Able to establish, build, sustain and share, professional relationships with relevant groups both inside and outside the organisation. Driven to exceed client expectations.
• Able to reason logically and apply a systematic process to finding solutions, proactive in responding to problems, able to apply sound logic in situations of ambiguity and problem‑solving methodologies across a range of circumstances.
• Degree level qualification in civil engineering.
• Chartered status or working towards chartership.
• A broad range of project experience across civil design for developments.

Benefits

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 our 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.

Equal Opportunity

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.