Senior Land Consultant wide

Role Overview

WSP is the largest and most successful land consulting business in the UK and Ireland, supporting infrastructure development across the region. We are looking to add further expertise to our growing team of land consultants, property specialists, project managers and surveyors.

The role is based in one of WSP’s offices across the UK or Ireland with the flexibility of hybrid working. You will have access to the Land Academy and a network of experts to support your development and chartership.

• Secure land, land access, arrange surveys and build strong relationships with stakeholders and landowners via statutory powers and negotiation
• Manage land referencing and land access projects
• Lead audits and quality assurance reviews of land referencing documentation and processes
• Integrate land requirements with engineering, planning and environmental strategies
• Provide senior‑level advice to clients and project boards on land acquisition risks and opportunities
• Ensure compliance with statutory processes and regulatory obligations, including data security and privacy
• Resolve disputes and raise sensitive issues with diplomacy and authority
• Contribute to commercial strategy and risk management for land‑related contracts
• Establish training programmes and succession planning within the Land team
• People management and team leadership
• Engage with landowners, communities and stakeholders using excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Arrange and coordinate land surveys, ensuring compliance with legal and environmental standards
• Work on infrastructure, utilities or energy projects (preferred)
• Consult landowners to explain schemes, discuss impacts and record consultation notes in the consultation database
• Maintain WSP H&S procedures for all site work
• Understand land access permissions, s172 licences and site safety (preferred)
• Support junior team members through the Land Academy and CPD programmes
• Use statutory powers to acquire land
• Prepare and QA technical documents for land interests and rights, negotiate access, consents and acquisitions
• Negotiate Heads of Terms to secure land for projects
• Liaise with landowners, land agents, auctioneers, legal representatives, planning authorities and contractors
• Collaborate with internal and external engineering, environmental and planning teams
• Work with multi‑disciplinary teams across UK and Ireland
• Develop efficient practices and promote innovation to provide best‑value services
• Manage and develop early‑career professionals with technical training and career support
• Contribute to business development and the delivery of the business strategy
• Travel within the UK and Ireland; occasional travel to WSP’s Global Capability Centre in India

• Degree or equivalent experience in Geography, Land/Estate Management, Agriculture or a relevant discipline
• Experience delivering land referencing, land access, landowner engagement services and statutory processes on major infrastructure projects
• Negotiation skills and knowledge of the legal process for acquiring wayleaves, easements and servitudes
• Experience working with multi‑disciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations in Ireland and/or the UK
• Track record of reducing land risk for clients and advising throughout all project stages
• Knowledge of legislation and experience of developing orders or similar consents
• Experience with infrastructure development schemes, particularly in energy, highways, rail, water and/or aviation sectors
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships with colleagues, landowners, and clients at all levels
• Strong influencing and negotiating communication skills
• Knowledge of urban and/or rural environments and farming practices (desirable)
• Chartership or membership in a professional body (advantageous)
• Ability to travel effectively to various sites and locations

WSP offers a hybrid working policy with the flexibility to work from home two days a week and collaborate in modern offices across the UK.

We recognise that work is just one part of life and support time for family, friends, interests and community. The…