Technical Director, EIA - Transmission & Distribution (Scotland)

At WSP, you’ll lead environmental contributions across energy transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure projects, with a focus on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and related consenting processes. Our teams support energy resilience, the energy transition, and the integration of renewable energy sources across the UK and internationally.

With a strong track record in the UK and abroad, we work on high-profile infrastructure projects that shape the future of energy. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to landmark T&D, hydrogen, and CCUS initiatives and collaborate with colleagues across our engineering and environmental teams.

Responsibilities

• Playing a lead role in growing our energy T&D sector offer, working with sector leads and client account managers to drive thought leadership and win new business.
• Providing environmental advice and support to clients, project directors, managers and colleagues.
• Working with colleagues, environmental specialists, clients and engineering teams to promote sustainable design and environmental enhancement.
• Leading large, multiple, and complex projects, overseeing our performance on technical, quality, commercial, and health and safety.
• Build strong client relationships and identify opportunities to support project strategy, resourcing and delivery.
• Undertaking activities to secure new work, including developing proposals for complex opportunities, delivering strategic level bids and framework opportunities, and undertaking business development opportunities.
• Champion innovation through approaches such as Digital EIA, Technical Excellence and Future Ready.
• Driving performance improvement and career advancement opportunities across team.
• Promote an inclusive and positive team environment, acting as a trusted advisor and mentor.
• Promoting an inclusive workplace, demonstrating an understanding of Health and Safety whilst living the values of our health, safety, and wellbeing culture.
• Undertaking actions that contribute towards the success of the WSP business strategy, whilst being self-motivated towards goals relevant to the role, team, and your projects.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

• Relevant environmental or planning degree (or equivalent experience), with chartered status or actively working towards chartership.
• Depth of experience in delivering EIA for T&D schemes, including under a range of UK planning regimes such as the Electricity Act, Town and Country Planning Act and the Planning Act 2008.
• A detailed knowlesdge of relevant consenting processes associated with energy and electricity transmission and distribution projects, including Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Environmental Permit applications, Marine applications etc. Understanding of how these processes integrate with the planning system and EA / EIA for overhead lines, substations, pipelines, cable routes or network upgrade schemes.
• A track record of leading client communications and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, regulators, and the public, with a strong understanding of public consultation and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Knowledge of emerging environmental and planning policy trends.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong report writing and review capabilities, attention to detail, and a focus on quality assurance.
• A strong understanding of health and safety principles and their application in environmental consenting and infrastructure development, including risk assessment, mitigation planning, and compliance with relevant legislation and industry standards.
• Proven people management experience and a track record of developing and upskilling internal teams.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to strategic planning, win new work through bids and proposals, and enhance reputation in the energy T&D sector.

About us: We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by a common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

What’s in it for you?

Work-life balance

We understand that work is just one aspect of your life. Our hybrid working policy offers flexibility to work from home two days a week, with opportunities to collaborate in our offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work, celebrating integrity and treating people with respect. We have employee resource groups to promote inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We support our people through tools to improve health and wellbeing, including our Thrive programme, a Virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, Gymflex (up to 40% off gym memberships), and menopause support.

Flex your time

We offer flexible working arrangements, including part-time options, the ability to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We invest in your growth through training, mentoring, and opportunities to pursue Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

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 workplace adjustments in support of your application.

Seniority level

Seniority level: Director

Employment type

Employment type: Part-time

Job function

Job function: Information Technology

Industries

Industries: Professional Services