Technical Director, Town Planner - Major Projects & Consents Lead (Infrastructure Planning)

WSP; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Technical Director to join their London office. This role offers the chance to lead ambitious infrastructure projects and secure new work opportunities in a dynamic environment. You will leverage your expertise in town planning to guide a talented team, ensuring compliance with planning regulations while driving project success. With a focus on energy, renewables, and transportation sectors, this position promises to be both challenging and rewarding. Join a forward-thinking consultancy that values innovation and collaboration, and make a significant impact on landmark projects that shape communities for the better.

Qualifications

• Experience leading multi-disciplinary projects under Town and Country Planning Act.
• Strong understanding of project finances and sound project management experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects and manage client requirements.
• Act as Project Director and support colleagues in project delivery roles.

Skills

Leading consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects

Providing technical advice to clients

Coordinating consent applications

Complex negotiations with statutory bodies

Technical excellence and competency

Supporting new work-winning opportunities

Line management/mentoring

Education

Degree level qualification in town planning

Member of RTPI or eligible

Tools

Project management tools

Job description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

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.

It has never been a more exciting time to join WSP’s market-leading Infrastructure Planning Team. With notable contract and framework awards in 2024 from National Grid as part of the Great Grid Partnership, Nuclear Waste Services as well as awards from many other clients, we have a great foundation for growth in 2025.

Our key clients include National Grid, East West Rail, EET Fuels, Eni UK, National Gas, SSE, Scottish Power Renewables, Southern Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, and many more.

Our success as a team 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, transportation, and aviation sectors.

To continue to sustainably grow as a business, we are looking to recruit a Technical Director in our London office who can drive forward our ambitious plans to lead and secure new work opportunities for our team of Infrastructure town planners through 2025 and thereafter. You will already be experienced at leading multi-disciplinary projects under the Town and Country Planning Act and the Planning Act 2008 and can help support those in our team to do this, to help meet the needs of our many clients and projects. We are also interested to hear from people that have experience in securing consents for major projects by means of Planning (Wales) Act 2015, Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, Transport and Works Act Order, or the Electricity Act.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Leading consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs etc)
• Providing technical 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 and Engagement business.
• Leading on complex negotiations with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients.
• A high degree of technical excellence and competency, which might include acting as Expert Witness at DCO examinations or other hearings or inquiries.
• Supporting the Service Line and Regional Directors and Sector Leads to pursue new work-winning opportunities in line with WSP's Growth Strategy as appropriate.
• Line management/mentoring colleagues by supporting them in their work project delivery roles.
• Degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent).
• Member of (or eligible for) the RTPI.
• Strong understanding of project finances.
• Sound project management experience, ideally within a consultancy environment.

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

With us, you can. Apply today. #L1-JC2