Senior​/Principal Socio-Economics

Job Description

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, and experience a world of opportunity to shape a unique career.

WSP is hiring a Senior or Principal Socio‑Economics Consultant to support a growing portfolio of complex and high‑profile projects. You will work alongside multidisciplinary services, including town planning, master planning, urban design, transport and strategic communications.

• Eden Project Morecambe – a new cultural and visitor offer for Morecambe, Lancaster, supporting regeneration and economic diversification. Project to open in 2026.
• South East Warrington Urban Extension – a 4,000+ home new urban extension to the south east of Warrington.
• Heathlands Garden Community – leading the Social Value Workstream and Equality Impact Assessment for a new settlement of 5,000 homes, 16ha of employment, a district centre and two local centres, plus supporting infrastructure around a new railway station on the Ashford‑Maidstone line.
• A29, Cookstown, Northern Ireland – leading a Social Value engagement exercise on behalf of the Department for Infrastructure, gathering community insights for construction‑phase social value delivery.

• Degree in economics, planning or a related field.
• Strong interest in socio‑economics, economic impact, social value, health, equalities, and social infrastructure delivery.
• Experience in socio‑economic assessment.
• Skilled in data analysis.
• Grounding in UK planning policy and frameworks.
• Extensive multidisciplinary work experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Socio‑economic research and data modelling
• Economic Impact Assessment
• Economic analysis for strategic planning and master planning
• Social Value Strategy
• Socio‑Economic Impact Assessment
• Social Infrastructure Assessment
• Health Impact Assessment
• Equality Impact Assessment
• Socio‑Economic EIA
• Technical report writing and effective communication
• Project management and collaboration
• Client‑facing delivery and work winning

• Develop socio‑economic strategies and evidence to support planning and investment decisions, aligning with local and national policy frameworks.
• Undertake Economic Impact Modelling to assess the economic potential of sites.
• Draft Socio‑Economic Statements and Impact Assessments for development proposals, regeneration schemes, and infrastructure projects.
• Lead socio‑economic input within multidisciplinary teams, contributing to integrated planning, transport, and sustainability strategies.
• Attend stakeholder, design team, and client meetings to inform analysis and reporting.
• Manage project delivery, including scope, programme, and budgetary control across multiple commissions.
• Collaborate with colleagues across WSP to embed socio‑economic considerations in wider project advice.
• Monitor government guidance, best practice, and policy development to inform client advice and project positioning.

We can review how your experience aligns with this role and other opportunities within the team.

Join our close‑knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. We have over 69,000 employees worldwide, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and across the globe.

With us, you can. Apply today.