Associate, Collaborative Partnering

WSP is one of the world's leading engineering professional services consulting firms. We are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower. We are technical experts and strategic advisors including engineers, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors, and environmental specialists, as well as other design, program, and construction management professionals. 

We design lasting solutions in the Property & Buildings, Transportation & Infrastructure, Environment, Industry, Resources (including Mining and Oil & Gas) and Power & Energy sectors as well as project delivery and strategic consulting services.

Guiding principles

• We value our people and our reputation. 

• We are locally dedicated with international scale.

• We are future-focused and challenge the status quo. 

• We foster collaboration in everything we do.

• We have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable.

Collaborative Partnering at WSP

WSP’s Collaborative Partnering Team (CPT) works with clients, project leaders and delivery teams to establish and embed high performance collaborative culture, behaviours and ways of working. We work across the project lifecycle, offering a practioner-based approach across four broad workstreams:

WORK WINNING: We contribute to tender strategy and response and prepare integrated delivery teams for client engagement in the tendering process.

PROJECT MOBILISATION: We help leaders and teams establish and embed high-performance culture, collaborative behaviours and ways of working to effectively mobilise complex, integrated programmes. 

PROJECT DELIVERY: We develop leaders’ knowledge, skill and capability and provide bespoke team performance intervention to enable successful project delivery and strengthen the client experience.

CLIENT EXPERIENCE: We provide consultation and deliver projects directly for clients: organisation development, culture and collaboration, leadership and team development.

We design lasting solutions in the Property & Buildings, Transportation & Infrastructure, Environment, Industry, Resources (including Mining and Oil & Gas) and Power & Energy sectors as well as project delivery and strategic consulting services.

guiding principles

• We value our people and our reputation. 

• We are locally dedicated with international scale.

• We are future-focused and challenge the status quo. 

• We foster collaboration in everything we do.

• We have an empowering culture and hold ourselves accountable.

   

Collaborative Partnering at WSP

WSP’s Collaborative Partnering Team (CPT) works with clients, project leaders and delivery teams to establish and embed high performance collaborative culture, behaviours and ways of working. We work across the project lifecycle, offering a practioner-based approach across four broad workstreams:

WORK WINNING: We contribute to tender strategy and response and prepare integrated delivery teams for client engagement in the tendering process.

PROJECT MOBILISATION: We help leaders and teams establish and embed high-performance culture, collaborative behaviours and ways of working to effectively mobilise complex, integrated programmes. 

PROJECT DELIVERY: We develop leaders’ knowledge, skill and capability and provide bespoke team performance intervention to enable successful project delivery and strengthen the client experience.

CLIENT EXPERIENCE: We provide consultation and deliver projects directly for clients: organisation development, culture and collaboration, leadership and team development.

A little more about your role…

The Associate, Collaborative Partnering (ACP) works as a hands-on performance coach and trusted advisor with colleagues, partners, and clients. They are responsible for the development of high-performance culture, collaborative behaviours and working practices for leaders and teams delivering complex infrastructure programmes. 

The ACP works fluidly with CPT colleagues to build strong, trusting relationships with internal and external stakeholders and works with them to understand needs, providing advice, guidance and bespoke interventions that build knowledge, skill, and capability. 

Responsibilities

• Build strong, trusted partnering relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enable effective needs analysis and the successful delivery of Collaborative Partnering Services.

• Provide fully aligned subject-matter expertise, advice, feedback and coaching to individuals and teams. 

• Design and deliver high-quality leadership and team interventions that meet needs, required outcomes, budget and timescale.

• Partner with colleagues to contribute to work winning strategy, written responses, and to train and prepare tendering teams for client engagement.

• Contribute to the continued evolution of Collaborative Partnering services and toolkits. 

• Role model high performance collaborative behaviours in all interactions.

   

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

High Performance Culture and Collaborative Skills Development

• Demonstrable knowledge of human behavioural science, leadership theory and team dynamics with experience helping project teams work effectively together. 

• Excellent facilitation skills, in-person, online and in hybrid scenarios for large and small groups. Ability to leverage technology as required to ensure a positive and fully engaged experience for all participants. 

• Confidence providing advice, coaching and constructive challenge to drive high performance and the achievement of programme outcomes. 

• Interest in providing high-quality consulting services directly to clients and integrated teams and to contribute to the development of best practise for collaborative working in our sector.

Mindset & Behaviours 

• Positive, growth-minded, and able to see the opportunity in challenging situations and behaviours. Able to authentically and consistently role-model the collaborative behaviours we espouse. 

• Strong emotional intelligence skills and the ability to influence without positional authority. Confidence to challenge leaders and their teams appropriately and constructively. 

• Results driven; proactive, accountable, responsible for delivery with a strong client orientation.

• Resilient, self-motivated, and able to remain calm under pressure when working to deadlines.

• Able to self-evaluate performance, accept feedback and learn. Willingness to adjust approach and behaviours as required to ensure professionalism and the delivery of high-quality work.

Project Management

• Ability to plan and effectively manage multiple pieces of work amidst uncertainty and change to ensure results on time and to budget, reporting as required to keep team, clients and stakeholders informed.

• Willing and able to operate within established systems and processes to ensure good project record keeping and contribute to the evolution of CPT resources and toolkits.

Business Focus and Acumen

• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong tethers to organisational and team strategic priorities. 

• Interest in working in a commercial environment and the ability to balance the priorities and pressures of the wider business with stakeholder needs.

Travel / Mobility

• Willing and able to meet teams where they gather with flexible, frequent (weekly) travel on public transport, across the U.K (including some overnight travel). 

• Ability to travel in/out of London and Birmingham on the day preferred. 

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Organisation Development and/or Organisation Psychology (or equivalent experience) with experience working in a hands-on role developing leaders and teams in a project-focussed environment. 

• Experience coaching leaders and teams to successful outcomes within complex projects or programmes. 

• Experience successfully working as part of a matrix or integrated team supporting project delivery in a role influencing others to achieve successful outcomes. 

REPORTING LINE

This role will report into the Head of Collaborative Partnering.