Technical Director (Infrastructure Planning)

WSP; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in London is looking for a Senior Consultant to join our Infrastructure Planning Team, providing town planning and consenting inputs on major and nationally significant projects.

You will lead multi-disciplinary teams, manage consent processes under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Planning Act 2008, and Transport and Works Act, and act as a planning expert witness when required. RTPI membership is preferred.

Qualifications

• Lead consenting inputs on major projects under national regimes such as DCOs, DNSs and TWAOs.
• Provide strong technical leadership and advise clients on consenting requirements.
• Coordinate preparation and submission of consent applications under Town and Country Planning Acts and Planning Act 2008.
• Act as Project Director for Infrastructure Planning projects.
• Lead negotiations with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients.
• Serve as Planning Expert Witness at examinations or hearings when required.
• Support and pursue new work opportunities aligned with growth strategy.
• Demonstrate solid project finances understanding and consultancy delivery experience.
• Line management and mentoring of colleagues on project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead consenting inputs on major projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs etc).
• Provide strong technical leadership and client advisory on consenting needs.
• Coordinate preparation and submission of consent applications.
• Act as Project Director for Infrastructure Planning projects.
• Lead negotiations with statutory bodies and stakeholders.
• Serve as Planning Expert Witness at examinations or hearings.
• Support new work opportunities in line with growth strategy.
• Demonstrate project finances understanding and management within consultancy.

Skills

Consenting inputs

Technical leadership

Consent submissions

Project Director

Stakeholder negotiations

Expert witness

Business development

Project management

Line management

Education

Degree in town planning

RTPI member

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.

WSP is an award-winning consultancy that employs the largest number of chartered town planners across the UK, operating within both the infrastructure and property markets. In December 2025, WSP won the RTPI’s Planning Consultancy of the Year with judges commending the Team for their excellence in uniting diverse disciplines to achieve outstanding results, praising the team's strong community engagement.

It has never been a more exciting time to join WSP’s market-leading Infrastructure Planning Team. Our success is built on employing highly skilled consenting specialists that have experience in serving a diverse portfolio of clients in the energy, renewables, nuclear, net zero, water, rail and transportation and aviation sectors. We work at all stages of the consenting process from early feasibility, application preparation and delivery of consents through construction and on a variety of projects across sectors.

With notable contract and framework awards from National Grid as part of the Great Grid Partnership as well as awards from many other clients, we have a great foundation for growth in 2026.

Our key clients include National Grid as part of the Great Grid Partnership, National Gas as part of Project Union, Nuclear Waste Services, EET Fuels, Eni UK, SSE, Scottish Power Renewables, Severn Trent Water, Southern Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, and many more.

To continue to sustainably grow as a business, we are looking for an experienced Senior Consultant to join our team to support town planning and consenting inputs on major and nationally significant infrastructure projects. The successful candidates will have demonstrable experience of working within multi-disciplinary teams to secure consent and approvals for major or nationally significant infrastructure projects via the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Planning Act 2008 and Transport and Works Act Order. We are also interested to hear from people that have experience in securing consents for major projects by means of the Planning (Wales) Act 2015, Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, or the Electricity Act.

To find out more about our Infrastructure Planning business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: Infrastructure planning and consulting | WSP

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Leading consenting inputs on major projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs etc).
• Providing strong technical leadership and advice to clients and managing their consenting requirements.
• Co-ordinating the preparation and submission of consent applications which may include applications under the Town and Country Planning Acts, the Planning Act 2008 or other regimes (as listed above).
• Acting as Project Director for projects led and managed by the Infrastructure Planning business.
• Leading on complex negotiations with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients.
• Acting as Planning Expert Witness at DCO examinations or other hearings or inquiries.
• Supporting and pursuing new work winning opportunities in line with WSPs Growth Strategy.
• Strong understanding of project finances and demonstrable project management experience within a consultancy environment.
• Line management / mentoring colleagues by supporting them in their work project delivery roles.
• Degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent).
• Member of the RTPI.

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.