Principal Land Consultant
WSP’s Land team is the largest and most successful land business supporting infrastructure development in the UK and Ireland, with more than 300 specialist professionals. We work on a wide portfolio of projects across all sectors, delivering land referencing, landowner engagement, consultation management, land access, formal consents, statutory orders, compensation agreements and land acquisition to support infrastructure projects.
Responsibilities
- Ensure successful delivery of projects securely, on time, within budget and to high standards.
- Be a trusted advisor to clients (externally and internally) and manage relationships.
- Advise on land issues across the UK and Ireland, including statutory processes such as DCOs, DNOs, hybrid Bills, Scottish Bills, TWA, T&CPA, CPOs, Motorway Orders, Vesting Orders, etc.
- Liaise with landowners, land agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients.
- Work with Land team colleagues and collaborate with engineering, environmental and planning teams within WSP and external project supply chains.
- Undertake quality assurance of deliverables such as book of reference, land plans and statements of reasons in relation to consents and acquisition of land rights for large‑scale development projects.
- Support quality and the sharing of knowledge and lessons across regions and projects.
- People management as a leader and role model; manage, motivate, mentor and develop staff and contribute to the development and delivery of the business strategy.
- Support the writing of bids and tenders to secure opportunities from internal and external clients.
- Deliver training on technical topics by contributing to and participating in the CPD‑accredited Land Academy.
- Enable UK and Ireland travel and the possibility of travel to WSP’s Global Capability Centre in India.
Qualifications
- In‑depth knowledge of land referencing practices, detailed HMLR interpretation and delivery of quantitative data analysis.
- Experience working on infrastructure development schemes with multidisciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations.
- Demonstrable experience of reducing land risk for clients and advising on land‑related matters throughout all project stages.
- Track record of developing orders and/or obtaining consents and interests in land, and knowledge of relevant legislation.
- Strong communication, influencing and negotiating skills.
- Ability to work independently and within a team, under pressure, delivering high‑quality outputs.
- Strong landowner and public engagement skills.
- Good business and IT skills.
- Adherence to quality assurance and excellent document management practices.
- Degree in Geography, Land/Estate Management, Agriculture or a related field.
- Chartership or membership of a relevant professional body is advantageous.
- Ability to travel effectively to various sites and locations as a necessary function of the role.
Location
The role is based in Manchester with hybrid working flexibility between this location and working from home. The ideal candidate will be based in the greater Manchester area. Our team supports projects across the north of England, Ireland and throughout the UK, including major works such as the TransPennine Route Upgrade, HS2, HyNet carbon capture and Project Union.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Statement
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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