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 the world’s leading consultancy in the provision of environmental engineering and consultancy services according to Verdantix and Environmental Analyst (2025). Our global community of professionals share resources and expertise across the world, and we assemble bespoke teams to meet the specific needs of each project. Our diverse team of geologists, geotechnical engineers, scientists, and specialists in air quality, biodiversity, water, waste, social value, health and safety, climate and ESG combine technical expertise and international best practice, with a deep understanding of local regulations and cultures.
Our team’s work covers every stage of a project’s life cycle, from initial environmental impact assessment and socioeconomic studies to feasibility, design, permitting, planning, and operations, to decommissioning and asset remediation.
Commercial Function
In our commercial function, our job is clear “To help our teams manage the risks and realise the opportunities in bidding, winning and delivering great projects.” This is underpinned by the following:
- Providing leadership in commercial matters; directly with clients, making business easy and WSP easy to do business with.
- Developing commercial best practice, process and resources (careers) in support of WSP’s strategy.
- Demonstrating the value from the commercial role.
- Focussing action on strategic themes of governance, risk and opportunity with all stakeholders.
- Providing dispute resolution support to the business.
- Be a champion for our Projects First approach.
A Little More About Your Role…
The Commercial Lead for the Planning and Consents business will report to the Commercial Director for Environment, Planning, Energy and Sustainability (EPES). On a day‑to‑day basis the Commercial Lead will support the Managing Director, Operations Director and Discipline Leads for the Planning and Consents business (P&C) in a business partner role. The Commercial Lead will be a core member of the Senior Leadership Team and attend the Operational Leadership Team meetings for the P&C business.
The Commercial Lead will support Project Directors on the delivery of major portfolio projects to minimise commercial risk and maximise financial returns in line with the discipline’s objectives.
The Commercial Lead will also contribute to the wider EPES commercial team, comprising the legal team, price‑to‑win leads and other commercial leads.
Core Responsibilities
Work Winning
- Take a leading role in shaping major bids and strategic pursuits, working collaboratively with the Operations Director, and the price‑to‑win and legal team to develop win themes and to understand and manage key risks.
- Supporting the discipline Operations Director with discipline and UK level governance.
- Working with Project Directors to ensure effective hand‑over to our delivery teams.
Project Delivery / Working Capital Management
- Provide leadership, guidance and assistance to the business to strengthen our approach to change management and payment, providing direct interventions to support Project Directors where necessary.
- Be a champion for change, providing leadership, mentoring and training to improve project outturns.
Dispute Resolution
- Working closely with the Legal Team, ensure that the business proactively manages and supports resolution of fee disputes, potential and actual claims.
Continual Improvement
- Be an active member of the WSP Commercial Team contributing to decision making and identifying business improvement opportunities; and contributing to the development of an enhanced commercial culture in the business.
- Work with the SLT and OLT to define an appropriate commercial structure to support the P&C business as it grows and develops.
- Raise commercial awareness and performance through regular feedback, meetings, and training.
- Review and implement improvements to processes and systems.
What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…
- Leading People – Acts as a “change leader” by encouraging others to embrace change and face new challenges. Has a positive, curious, creative mindset and can work and collaborate across all levels. Demonstrate excellent inter‑personal skills with good leadership and management abilities.
- Provide Leadership and Expertise in collaborative partnering arrangements.
- Commercial negotiation – Has in depth experience of commercial disputes and settlements.
- Inclusion and Performance – Promotes and engages diverse perspectives fostering inclusion in every area of business operations. Demonstrates courage in decision making and supports, coaches and develops others through respectful, actionable constructive feedback. Provides encouragement and development to allow all to reach their full potential and achieve maximum performance.
- Strategic Thinking and Direction – ability to operate and develop a business; forward thinking, capable of visualising and planning for the longer term; capable of identifying, communicating, engaging and drives the implementation of commercial improvement strategies.
- Projects – Possess a broad range of experience at a multi‑disciplinary level. Ability to scan performance and trends to take preventative actions and support areas/projects where problems could manifest. Identify actions, people, process and practice to minimise problem areas and drive improvements.
- Communication and Influence – Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively and positive influence at all levels as well as internally and externally. Actively champion sharing knowledge, ideas and intelligence. Strong presentation skills, able to lead and facilitate workshops, training sessions and one‑to‑one learning.
Professional Experience
- Clear understanding of core expectations for a high‑profile client facing business.
- Proven people and commercial management skills; able to develop/maintain excellent relationships.
- Excellent communication and listening skills with the ability to influence and deal with conflicting priorities and to offer positive solutions. Clear commercial acumen with understanding of consultancy services and models and key drivers to improve performance.
- Demonstrates strong leadership skills and abilities with focus on people management, delegation, accountability and succession.
- Coming from a relevant industry, consultancy or client organisation would be beneficial.
- Have a relevant degree and professional qualification, MRICS or equivalent.
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.
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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