Technical Director (Strategic Environmental Assessment/Water)

A little more about your role...

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Technical Director, or someone looking to take the next step in their career, to join our Infrastructure Planning and Environmental Assessment team. This is a post which is of strategic significance for our business and represents a challenging and exciting opportunity to identify, win and deliver environmental assessments for strategic long-term plans in the water sector. We are working with a range of water companies to deliver environmental assessments in support their emerging strategic plans, including Water Resource Management Plans (WRMPs), Drought Plans (DPs) and Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (DWMPs). 

As a Technical Director in the Infrastructure Planning and Environmental Assessment team, you will collaborate with a diverse team of technical specialists and professionals to lead and coordinate the delivery of key environmental assessment projects. Your work will support our clients to address long term strategic challenges such as providing sustainable water resources and drainage.  You will help ensure that sustainability is embedded into plan-making and decision taking.  You will take a lead in growing opportunities and the team, driving improvements and enhancing our client offer.

The role would suit an enthusiastic individual looking to influence, lead and deliver environmental and sustainability appraisal and assessment projects.  You will have responsibility for directing and leading projects including tasks relating to recruitment, bidding, project team management, project delivery, and financial management.

You will:

• Play a key role in the expansion and diversification of our offer in the water sector, working alongside sector leads and client account managers to provide thought leadership and win new business.
• Provide environmental assessment advice and support to clients, project managers and colleagues.
• Lead large, multiple, and complex projects, overseeing our performance on technical, quality, commercial, and health and safety.
• Build relationships with clients and identifying opportunities to provide support in areas such as resourcing, programming, strategy development and project delivery.
• Proactively seeking to develop new client relationships and actively seeking opportunities for marketing services and cross-selling, including presenting at conferences on behalf of WSP.
• Undertake activities to secure new work, including developing proposals for complex opportunities, delivering strategic level bids and framework opportunities, and undertaking business development opportunities.
• Lead on and contributing to the development of innovative techniques to shape the way we do our business whether through Digital Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) and automated assessments. 
• Drive performance improvement and career advancement opportunities across team.
• Promote and build team culture and be identified as a 'go to' person within the wider team, supporting others in problem solving and achieving team and business goals.
• Promote an inclusive workplace, demonstrating an understanding of Health and Safety whilst living the values of our health, safety, and wellbeing culture.
• Undertake 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...

• Experience of leading the successful delivery of Strategic Environmental Assessments, including coordination and delivery of wider assessments including Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA), Water Framework Directive (WFD) Assessments, Natural Capital Assessments and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments, in support of water sector plans (WRMPs, DPs and DWMPs). 
• A detailed understanding of SEA regulatory requirements, case law and guidance.
• An excellent understanding of how environmental assessments inform and support decision-making for water sector plans. 
• Familiarity with other assessment processes such as Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA), Water Framework Directive (WFD) Assessments, Natural Capital assessments and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong report writing and review capabilities, attention to detail, and a focus on quality assurance.
• Proven people management experience and a track record of developing and upskilling internal teams.
• Evidence of key market and water sector understanding, the key challenges and needs and an ability to realise the opportunities to successfully drive business growth.
• Confidence engaging with clients, regulators and stakeholders