Associate Director / Associate Transport Planner - Strategic Highways

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.

Role

A little more about your role…

Due to our expanding public sector workload and recent appointment to a major National Highways framework, we are seeking an Associate Director and/or Associate Transport Planner to join our Transport Planning & Mobility team.

Working as part of a highly integrated, multidisciplinary team of planners, engineers and modellers, and collaborating across WSP's UK offices, you will play a senior leadership role in the delivery and growth of our transport and spatial planning portfolio.

You will have a particular focus on National Highways commissions in the North of England, while also contributing to transport planning and infrastructure projects across our portfolio. These roles can be based in either our Leeds or Newcastle offices, with hybrid working allowing for a mix of office and home working.

If you are interested in these opportunities with WSP but would need a different home office to Leeds or Newcastle, then please contact Andrew.Trueman@wsp.com to discuss options.

Key responsibilities

• Leading the delivery of complex transport and spatial planning projects, ensuring technical excellence, policy compliance and alignment with client objectives.
• Playing a leading role in our Spatial Planning North Contract with National Highways, acting as a trusted advisor and senior client interface.
• Leading and overseeing teams delivering Development Management and planning support on behalf of National Highways, setting direction, assuring quality and managing resources effectively.
• Providing authoritative advice on planning policy, economic regeneration and transport impacts on the Strategic Road Network, informing decision making at project and programme level.
• Leading or acting as Expert Witness at Examinations in Public, public inquiries and planning appeals, representing National Highways and other clients, and providing clear, robust and defensible evidence.
• Managing and influencing complex stakeholder environments, including Local Authorities, Combined Authorities, private sector developers, third party consultants and internal multidisciplinary teams, working constructively to resolve issues and build consensus.
• Maintaining an in depth knowledge of the national spatial planning system, applying this expertise across Local Plans, development proposals and strategic studies.
• Taking responsibility for project governance, including budgets, programmes, risk management and commercial performance.
• Providing leadership, mentoring and professional development support to junior staff, contributing to capability building within the Transport & Mobility Planning team.
• Making a visible contribution to WSP's four key pillars: People; Clients & Growth; Operations; and Expertise.

Working closely with wider team and supporting the professional development of our junior staff you will be an important member of our Transport & Mobility team. The role presents an excellent opportunity to progress your career and expand your professional horizons.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

• Significant experience in transport and/or spatial planning, with a strong public sector focus.
• Demonstrable experience working with National Highways, particularly in spatial planning, development management, strategic studies or related areas (highly desirable but not essential).
• A strong understanding of the UK planning system, including national and local policy, statutory processes and transport appraisal requirements.
• Proven ability to lead projects and workstreams, manage competing priorities and provide clear technical and commercial direction.
• Experience contributing to or leading transport strategies, feasibility studies, options appraisal and business case development.
• Confidence in client engagement and stakeholder management, including presenting complex information clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Sound commercial awareness, including budget management, forecasting and fee development.
• Strong analytical capability, with experience interpreting transport data and evidence to support planning and investment decisions.
• The ability to produce high quality technical reports and clear public facing documentation, including material suitable for examinations, inquiries and consultation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the credibility to act as a senior representative of WSP.
• Membership of a relevant professional body and Chartered status;

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.

Why 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 72,800 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.

About Us

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

What’s in it for you?

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.

#WeAreWSP

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.

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