Technical Director Land

Job Description

WSP is a leading engineering and professional services firm dedicated to delivering innovative solutions for infrastructure development in the UK and Ireland. We invite Land professionals to join our largest and most successful team, leveraging our expertise in land referencing, land acquisition, land access, and statutory consents across major projects in Energy, Highways, Water, Rail, Local Government and Aviation.

Our Land team supports the entire life cycle of infrastructure projects, working closely with multidisciplinary partners to secure land rights, manage stakeholder engagement, negotiate acquisitions, and provide statutory documentation that enables planning and construction.

• Provide strategic leadership and technical direction on WSP Land projects.
• Demonstrate excellent stakeholder engagement to secure land rights and facilitate land acquisition.
• Drive a high-performance culture, collaborating with senior colleagues across WSP Land.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to internal and external clients, engaging with capture teams and Key Client Managers to strengthen relationships and identify new opportunities.
• Oversee project delivery, ensuring on-schedule, on-budget completion with high technical and quality standards.
• Lead business development initiatives in Energy, Water, and Rail sectors, targeting new projects and client extensions.
• Collaborate closely with other WSP disciplines to identify multidisciplinary and strategic growth opportunities.
• Champion WSP Land’s profile across public forums, social media, and professional circles.
• Prepare and review high-quality bids and tenders, ensuring technical excellence.
• Implement succession planning and targeted recruitment to enhance technical capabilities.
• Conduct project and business reviews for effective risk and opportunity management.
• Champion the WSP culture of Health, Safety & Wellbeing (HS&W).
• Ensure adherence to Quality Assurance and Data Protection processes.
• Champion growth in key markets, delivery and quality culture, and digital innovation.
• Travel within the UK and Ireland as required.

• Proven leadership overseeing Land services delivery at a senior level.
• Expertise in land consents, stakeholder consultation, and landowner engagement for major infrastructure projects.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across sectors and geographies.
• Success in mitigating land-related risks and providing strategic land advice throughout project life cycles.
• Experience in Public Inquiries and Oral Hearings, managing objections and complex stakeholder issues.
• Track record of repeat business and expanding service offerings with existing clients.
• Ability to secure and develop new business opportunities with clients, contributing to organisational growth.
• Experience authoring, managing and approving bids and tenders at a senior level.
• Resource strategy and talent development skills, aligning team capability with business growth.
• Exceptional engagement, communication, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strong teamwork and collaborative working skills across organisational levels.
• Ability to cultivate relationships with senior clients, key stakeholders and executive management.
• Resilience and composure under pressure, delivering high-quality outputs to demanding deadlines.
• Business acumen and IT proficiency, ensuring efficient and innovative project delivery.
• Commitment to quality assurance, data protection and Health & Safety standards.
• Degree in Geography, Agriculture, Land and Estate Management or related discipline.
• Chartered status or membership of a recognised professional body is highly desirable.
• Full, clean driving licence.

• Competitive salaries and flexible working patterns.
• Hybrid working: work from home up to two days a week with onsite collaboration.
• Health & Wellbeing support via Thrive programme, virtual GP service, Gymflex scheme, and menopause support package.
• Work‑life balance initiatives such as “WSP My Hour” and flexible leave options.
• Career development through training, mentoring and chartership opportunities.
• Inclusive culture encouraging authentic diversity and belonging.

WSP employs over 69,000 professionals worldwide, uniting over 9,000 experts across the UK and Ireland to create positive, lasting impacts in local and global communities.

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.