Principal Arboricultural Consultant

Lead with expertise. Influence major projects. Shape the future of arboriculture.

At WSP, we're committed to delivering sustainable solutions that make a lasting difference to communities and the environment. As a Principal Arboricultural Consultant, you'll play a pivotal role in leading complex projects, developing client relationships, mentoring talented professionals and driving technical excellence across our national arboriculture team.

Working as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary business, you'll provide strategic arboricultural advice on some of the UK's most significant infrastructure and development projects while helping to shape best practice and consistent delivery standards across regions.

Why Join WSP?

This is an opportunity to take your career to the next level within one of the world's leading professional services firms.

We offer:

• The chance to work on nationally significant and high-profile development and infrastructure projects.
• Opportunities to lead major project workstreams and build strategic client relationships.
• A supportive, inclusive and collaborative culture where development is genuinely prioritised.
• Clear career progression pathways and leadership opportunities.
• An annual training budget aligned to your personal and professional goals.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance.
• Opportunities to contribute to WSP's Future Ready initiatives, digital innovation and global service development.
• Paid professional membership.
• WSP Treats employee benefits programme.
• Competitive pension contributions.
• A 37.5-hour working week with flexible and core working hours.

The Role

As a Principal Arboricultural Consultant, you'll combine technical leadership with project management, team development and business growth responsibilities.

You'll lead complex arboricultural commissions, provide expert advice to clients and project teams, support work winning activities and help ensure consistent, high-quality delivery across the business.

You'll also play a key role in developing our people through mentoring, coaching and succession planning initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

You will:

• Lead and technically review Arboricultural Impact Assessments, Arboricultural Method Statements, Tree Protection Plans, EIA inputs and other specialist arboricultural advice.
• Deliver arboricultural services on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and other complex developments.
• Manage client relationships, project programmes, budgets, scopes and delivery risks.
• Provide strategic arboricultural advice to multidisciplinary design teams and stakeholders.
• Support recruitment, mentoring, career development and succession planning within the team.
• Manage and develop consultants and senior consultants, acting as a coach and trusted mentor.
• Support and advise the senior leadership team on technical and operational matters.
• Lead the preparation of tenders, fee proposals, scopes of work, assumptions and commercial reviews.
• Provide specialist advice relating to veteran and ancient trees, woodland constraints, statutory protections and mitigation strategies.
• Drive quality, consistency and technical excellence across project delivery.

About You

Essential Requirements

We're keen to hear from candidates who can demonstrate:

• Extensive experience in arboricultural consultancy, planning and project delivery.
• Strong technical expertise in BS5837 assessments and reporting.
• Proven experience advising multidisciplinary design and project teams.
• Experience managing complex projects, programmes, budgets and client expectations.
• Commercial awareness, including scope management and budget control.
• Strong relationship-building skills with clients, stakeholders and internal teams.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing technical professionals.
• A positive approach to health, safety and wellbeing, with the ability to promote safe working practices across project teams.

Desirable Requirements

Ideally, you'll also have:

• Chartered Arboriculturist, Chartered Forester status, or be working towards chartership.
• Significant experience supporting NSIP/DCO projects, major infrastructure schemes or EIA delivery.
• Experience supporting public inquiries, expert witness services or planning appeals.
• A strong track record in work winning, tender preparation and client development.
• Knowledge of forestry considerations within the planning system.
• Experience using digital survey technologies, canopy cover assessments and emerging AI-enabled workflows.

What's in It for You?

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced arboricultural professional looking to influence project outcomes, develop future talent and contribute to the growth and direction of a nationally recognised team.

You'll have the autonomy to lead, the support to grow and the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to some of the UK's most important infrastructure, environmental and development projects.

Ready to Make an Impact?

Imagine a better future for you and for us all.

Join our talented community of experts and help shape a more sustainable world through innovative arboricultural solutions.

We know that great candidates don't always meet every requirement. If you're excited about the opportunity and believe you can make a valuable contribution, we'd love to hear from you.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

With us, you can. Apply today.

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