Associate Director / Associate Transport Planner - Strategic Highways
WSPA little more about your role…
Due to our expanding public sector workload and recent appointment to a major National Highways framework, we are seeking an Associate Director and/or Associate Transport Planner to join our Transport Planning & Mobility team.
Working as part of a highly integrated, multidisciplinary team of planners, engineers and modellers, and collaborating across WSP’s UK offices, you will play a senior leadership role in the delivery and growth of our transport and spatial planning portfolio.
You will have a particular focus on National Highways commissions in the North of England, while also contributing to transport planning and infrastructure projects across our portfolio. These roles can be based in either our Leeds or Newcastle offices, with hybrid working allowing for a mix of office and home working.
If you are interested in these opportunities with WSP but would need a different home office to Leeds or Newcastle, then please contact Andrew.Trueman@wsp.com to discuss options.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the delivery of complex transport and spatial planning projects, ensuring technical excellence, policy compliance and alignment with client objectives.
- Playing a leading role in our Spatial Planning North Contract with National Highways, acting as a trusted advisor and senior client interface.
- Leading and overseeing teams delivering Development Management and planning support on behalf of National Highways, setting direction, assuring quality and managing resources effectively.
- Providing authoritative advice on planning policy, economic regeneration and transport impacts on the Strategic Road Network, informing decision making at project and programme level.
- Leading or acting as Expert Witness at Examinations in Public, public inquiries and planning appeals, representing National Highways and other clients, and providing clear, robust and defensible evidence.
- Managing and influencing complex stakeholder environments, including Local Authorities, Combined Authorities, private sector developers, third party consultants and internal multidisciplinary teams, working constructively to resolve issues and build consensus.
- Maintaining an in depth knowledge of the national spatial planning system, applying this expertise across Local Plans, development proposals and strategic studies.
- Taking responsibility for project governance, including budgets, programmes, risk management and commercial performance.
- Providing leadership, mentoring and professional development support to junior staff, contributing to capability building within the Transport & Mobility Planning team.
- Making a visible contribution to WSP’s four key pillars: People; Clients & Growth; Operations; and Expertise.
Working closely with wider team and supporting the professional development of our junior staff you will be an important member of our Transport & Mobility team. The role presents an excellent opportunity to progress your career and expand your professional horizons.
What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…
- Significant experience in transport and/or spatial planning, with a strong public sector focus.
- Demonstrable experience working with National Highways, particularly in spatial planning, development management, strategic studies or related areas (highly desirable but not essential).
- A strong understanding of the UK planning system, including national and local policy, statutory processes and transport appraisal requirements.
- Proven ability to lead projects and workstreams, manage competing priorities and provide clear technical and commercial direction.
- Experience contributing to or leading transport strategies, feasibility studies, options appraisal and business case development.
- Confidence in client engagement and stakeholder management, including presenting complex information clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Sound commercial awareness, including budget management, forecasting and fee development.
- Strong analytical capability, with experience interpreting transport data and evidence to support planning and investment decisions.
- The ability to produce high quality technical reports and clear public facing documentation, including material suitable for examinations, inquiries and consultation.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the credibility to act as a senior representative of WSP.
- Membership of a relevant professional body and Chartered status;
Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.
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