Technical Director (EIA/Water)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Leeds; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent environmental consulting firm in the UK is seeking an experienced Technical Director to join its Infrastructure Planning and Environmental Assessment team. This role involves leading multi-disciplinary inputs for complex water infrastructure projects, engaging with clients, and driving business growth. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in delivering environmental assessments and a strong record of people management. Join a forward-thinking team committed to sustainable development and make a positive impact in your community.

Qualifications

• Experience of leading the successful delivery of environmental assessments for major water schemes.
• Familiarity with consenting processes such as Habitats Regulations Assessments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong report writing capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead large, multiple, and complex projects in the water sector.
• Provide environmental advice to clients and project teams.
• Build relationships with clients and promote sustainable design.

Skills

Environmental assessments delivery

Written and verbal communication

People management

Market understanding in water sector

Client engagement

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.

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Technical Director to join our Infrastructure Planning and Environmental Assessment team. This post is of strategic significance for our business and represents a challenging and exciting opportunity to identify, win and deliver multi‑disciplinary inputs to a range of long‑term, complex water infrastructure and planning projects for the sector. Our current portfolio includes some of the UK’s most important and transformational infrastructure projects at the heart of helping the UK meet its commitments to Sustainable Water Resource Management and Net Zero. We need people with creative spirit, a dedicated approach and a solid grounding in environmental design, assessment and management at any stage of the development project lifecycle.

You will work with a range of technical environmental specialists and design teams across multiple disciplines to direct and lead environmental teams and inputs to project designs and assessments. You will be instrumental in improving the environmental performance for a diverse range of projects across multiple sectors. The role would suit an enthusiastic individual looking to influence, lead and deliver environmental elements of large‑scale, complex, long‑term infrastructure projects. You will have responsibility for directing and leading projects, including tasks relating to recruitment, bidding, project team management, project delivery, and financial management.

You Will

• Play a key role in the expansion and diversification of our offer in the water sector, working alongside sector leads and client account managers to provide thought leadership and win new business.
• Provide environmental advice and support to clients, project managers and colleagues.
• Work with colleagues, diverse environmental specialists, clients and engineering teams to promote sustainable design and environmental enhancement.
• Lead large, multiple, and complex projects, overseeing our performance on technical, quality, commercial, and health and safety.
• Build relationships with clients and identify opportunities to provide support in areas such as resourcing, programming, strategy development and project delivery.
• Proactively seek to develop new client relationships and actively pursue opportunities for marketing services and cross‑selling, including presenting at conferences on behalf of WSP.
• Undertake activities to secure new work, including developing proposals for complex opportunities, delivering strategic‑level bids and framework opportunities, and undertaking business development opportunities.
• Lead on and contribute to the development of innovative techniques to shape the way we do our business, whether through Digital Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Technical Excellence, Future‑Ready, etc.
• Drive performance improvement and career advancement opportunities across the team.
• Promote and build team culture and be identified as a ‘go to’ person within the wider team, supporting others in problem solving and achieving team and business goals.
• 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.

Qualifications

• Experience of leading the successful delivery of environmental assessments for major water schemes, e.g., Strategic Resource Options (SROs) or as part of National Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) planning.
• Familiarity with other consenting processes such as Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA) and Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments.
• 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.
• Evidence of key market and water sector understanding, the key challenges and needs, and an ability to realise opportunities to successfully drive business growth.
• Confidence engaging with clients, regulators and stakeholders.

Join Us

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.

Apply Today

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