Freshwater Technical Lead

Freshwater Technical Lead – WSP UK & Ireland

Join to apply for the Freshwater Technical Lead role at WSP in the UK & Ireland.

We are looking to appoint an Associate Director or Associate to join our Aquatic Ecology team. The postholder will be an experienced freshwater ecologist, ideally with a specialism in freshwater fish ecology. You will have a thorough understanding of the licensing and consenting process for development projects in the freshwater environment. You will have a proven track record of preparing and managing aquatic ecology impact assessments for Environmental Statements and supporting other consent applications.

The postholder will have experience managing medium and large aquatic ecology projects, including monitoring budgets and coordinating staff resources.

You will have line‑managed staff and ideally small teams, with responsibility for overseeing technical development of staff as well as conducting appraisals and managing workload.

• Guiding and overseeing the design of aquatic ecology baseline survey programmes to support Environmental Impact Assessments and other regulatory documents.
• Authoring Environmental Impact Assessment chapters and other written outputs that contribute to planning submissions for development schemes in the UK and internationally.
• Line managing staff in the aquatic team, monitoring and planning workload and supporting their professional development.
• Preparing tender outputs for medium and large‑scale freshwater ecology projects, including fee estimates.
• Actively contributing to the management of the aquatic team in areas such as health and safety, technical training and project resourcing.
• Building and maintaining a strong internal and external profile as a technical expert, for example, through our Practice Area Networks and externally.

We work on a wide range of projects in the freshwater and marine environments, including river restoration schemes, design of ecological monitoring programmes, biodiversity net gain assessments, and ecological impact assessments. The team collaborates widely with in‑house teams including WSP’s Biodiversity Net Gain specialist group and fluvial geomorphology experts to meet and exceed client and regulatory body requirements. Our projects are primarily UK based although we also work on a wide range of international projects.

• Extensive, relevant experience gained within a professional consultancy, regulatory or industrial role.
• Advanced technical knowledge and competency in freshwater ecology, including protected species.
• The ability to produce high quality, technically and scientifically robust reports and other deliverables including Water Framework Directive Assessments and Environmental Statements.
• A comprehensive knowledge of relevant ecology and water legislation, and its application in relation to the planning process.
• Experience in managing staff, including supporting with workload management and technical development.
• Previous experience of managing projects and preparing tender outputs including budget estimates.
• An enthusiastic, confident and positive approach with excellent communication and people management skills.

At WSP we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. Work‑life balance, hybrid working policy, inclusivity & belonging, health & wellbeing, flexible working arrangements and development opportunities are part of our culture.

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.