Principal Planner; Infrastructure Planning

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, experience a world of opportunity and shape a career as unique as you.

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. In December 2025, WSP won the RTPI’s Planning Consultancy of the Year with judges commending the team for their excellence in uniting diverse disciplines to achieve outstanding results, praising the team's strong community engagement. Our success is built on employing highly skilled consenting specialists who have experience serving a diverse portfolio of clients in the energy, renewables, nuclear, net zero, water, rail, transportation and aviation sectors.

We work at all stages of the consenting process—from early feasibility through application preparation and delivery of consents to construction—on a variety of projects across sectors. With notable contract and framework awards from National Grid as part of the Great Grid Partnership and many other clients, we have a strong foundation for growth in 2026.

To continue to sustainably grow as a business, we are looking for an experienced Senior Consultant to join our team to support town planning and consenting inputs on major and nationally significant infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience of working within multi‑disciplinary teams to secure consent and approvals for major or nationally significant infrastructure projects via the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Planning Act 2008 and Transport and Works Act Order.

We are also interested in people who have experience securing consents for major projects under the Planning (Wales) Act 2015, Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, or the Electricity Act.

• Lead preparation of Town & Country Planning Act applications for infrastructure projects across the UK.
• Support and lead on aspects of consenting inputs on major infrastructure projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs etc).
• Provide sound technical advice to clients and support managing their consenting requirements, demonstrating awareness of clients’ expectations and needs.
• Work and liaise with statutory bodies and stakeholders on behalf of clients to help deliver projects.
• Lead and engage with teams across a variety of disciplines, providing technical oversight.
• Understand project and team roles and actively support and contribute to achievement, building positive relationships within the team.
• Proactively engage with developing own knowledge and skills to build ability and the team’s internal knowledge base.
• Support work‑winning opportunities in line with WSP’s Growth Strategy, contributing to identifying opportunities and to proposals.
• Awareness of project finances and demonstrate project management experience, ideally within a consultancy environment.

• Degree level qualification in town planning (or equivalent).
• Member of (or eligible for) the RTPI.

• Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
• Employment type: Full‑time
• Job function: Other
• Industries: Professional Services

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 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.

With us, you can. Apply today.