Overview

Principal Development Planner at WSP in the UK & Ireland — Leeds, UK (UK & Ireland) with opportunities across the UK and internationally. This role supports the regional Development Team in Leeds, specialising in Transportation and Development Planning. You will work within a team providing sustainable development solutions from site selection through to planning approvals and implementation.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist transport planning advice to private sector and some local authority clients on residential and mixed-use development, masterplanning, access, transportation and infrastructure issues, and support development proposals through the planning process.
• Lead day-to-day delivery of concept studies / strategies, Transport Statements, Transport Assessments, Travel Plans, Parking Studies, Access Studies, and Movement and Access Studies with a hands-on role, progressing to planning applications and discharge of planning conditions.
• Manage and lead client relationships, ensuring collaboration with clients, colleagues and staff; establish and maintain effective working relationships with key clients.
• Keep up-to-date with relevant standards and policies; raise WSP profile by networking and attending conferences.
• Provide guidance and support to a team of experienced and developing technical staff.
• Engage in high-profile client engagement, stakeholder management, design team liaison, and project management across multi-disciplinary projects.
• Ensure delivery of projects to budget, programme, technical standards and legal requirements.

What You Will Be Working On

• The Highways, West Yorkshire
• Sutton Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, London Borough of Sutton
• International Advanced Manufacturing Park, Wearside
• Tritax Symmetry Park Kettering, Northamptonshire
• Tritax Symmetry Park Gloucester, Gloucestershire
• Prologis Park Marston Gate, Bedfordshire
• Prologis Park Coleshill, Warwickshire

Team and Environment

Our Leeds office has a strong regional presence and focus, with project work located throughout the UK and internationally. You will collaborate with planning, infrastructure design, structures, transport and environmental teams across regions and international offices.

Qualifications

• A numerate first degree in Transport, Mathematics, Geography, Civil Engineering, Planning or a related subject.
• Experience as a lead client contact for consultancy services and strong client and professional relationship management.
• Clear written and oral communication skills to support development proposals.
• Knowledge of transport planning guidance and best practice.
• Experience delivering transport planning projects across development planning, scheme delivery, sustainable transport, active travel, and junction design; familiarity with standards.
• Working knowledge of junction modelling software (e.g., Junctions 9 - PICADY & ARCADY, Linsig); ability to mentor others in use and interpretation of results.
• Strong numeracy, problem-solving and innovative thinking.
• Experience in financial and programme management of projects using appropriate tools.
• Experience in team management, including line management and day-to-day operations.
• Knowledge of financial and contractual aspects of bidding and delivering projects of varying size.
• Postgraduate (or equivalent) experience and/or working towards Chartership or equivalent commercial experience.

If you don’t meet every criterion, you can still apply and we will consider how your experience aligns with this role and other opportunities within the team.

What We Offer

• Work-life balance with hybrid working; flexibility to work from home two days a week and access to modern offices.
• Inclusivity and belonging with a culture that values diverse perspectives; employee resource groups and supportive environment.
• Health & wellbeing benefits including Thrive programme and Virtual GP access; support for workplace adjustments; Gymflex scheme; menopause support.
• Flexible time options, part-time arrangements, extra leave purchase, and flexible holiday use.
• Development opportunities with training, mentoring, and Chartership support.

EEO Statement: We encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. We will interview disabled applicants who meet essential criteria and will provide workplace adjustments on request.

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level

Employment type: Full-time

Job function: Other

Industries: Professional Services