Location
Manchester or Newcastle offices

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You will embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives, experiencing a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

Due to continued growth and an expanding portfolio of public and private sector commissions, including major National Highways frameworks, we are seeking an experienced Associate Director – Transport Planning to join our Transport & Mobility team. This senior leadership role supports the delivery and growth of a diverse portfolio spanning National Highways spatial planning and development management commissions, strategic transport studies and route strategies, Local Plan and Local Transport Plan evidence, development-led transport planning and land promotion, major infrastructure NSIP and DCO projects, and public sector transport planning and regeneration initiatives.

Working alongside Technical Directors, Associate Directors and a multidisciplinary team of transport planners, engineers, modellers, economists and environmental specialists, and collaborating across WSP's UK offices, you will play a key role in shaping transport solutions and supporting sustainable growth across the North of England.

Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership and Project Delivery:
- Lead delivery of complex transport, spatial and development planning projects across the North of England.
- Direct multidisciplinary teams delivering Transport Assessments, Travel Plans, active travel strategies, access strategies and development mitigation proposals.
- Oversee National Highways spatial planning and development management commissions including planning application reviews and strategic planning advice.
- Provide senior technical direction on Local Plans, Strategic Development Frameworks, Infrastructure Delivery Plans, Local Transport Plans and growth strategies.
- Lead transport planning inputs to major infrastructure projects including NSIPs and Development Consent Order applications.
- Advise on transport impacts affecting the Strategic Road Network supporting evidence-led decision making and sustainable growth.
- Contribute to strategic studies, route strategies, option assessments and business case development.

National Highways and Public Sector Leadership:
- Act as senior client interface for National Highways and other public sector clients.
- Support and grow WSP's National Highways Spatial Planning and Development Management portfolio across the North West, North East and Yorkshire.
- Provide expert advice on planning policy, economic growth, infrastructure requirements and development impacts affecting the SRN.
- Manage relationships with Local Planning Authorities, Local Highway Authorities, Combined Authorities, National Highways and key infrastructure stakeholders.

NSIP, DCO and Expert Evidence:
- Support transport planning workstreams on NSIP and DCO projects in transport, energy, industrial and regeneration sectors.
- Support DCO preparation, examination and post-consent delivery.
- Lead Statements of Common Ground and engagement with statutory stakeholders.
- Act as Expert Witness or provide hearing-level support at Planning Appeals, Examinations in Public, DCO Examinations and Public Inquiries.

Project Governance and Commercial Leadership:
- Take responsibility for commercial and project governance across a portfolio of projects.
- Develop scopes, fees and resource plans.
- Manage project budgets, programmes, risk and quality assurance.
- Monitor financial performance, workload forecasting and utilisation.
- Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with WSP's People, Clients & Growth, Operations and Expertise pillars.
- Lead business development activities across the North of England.
- Develop client relationships and strategic account plans.
- Identify and secure opportunities with public and private sector clients.
- Prepare and lead bids, frameworks, tenders and fee proposals.
- Support growth of National Highways, local authority, developer and infrastructure sector commissions.

People Leadership:
- Line manage, mentor and develop members of the Transport & Mobility team.
- Support chartership, professional development and career progression.
- Contribute to succession planning and capability development.
- Foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing team culture.
- Promote wellbeing, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion across all activities.

Experience
- Significant experience in transport planning and/or spatial planning within consultancy, infrastructure or public-sector environments.
- Proven experience leading development planning projects from feasibility through planning approval and implementation.
- Strong understanding of the UK planning system including Town and Country Planning Act regime, Planning Act 2008 regime, National Planning Policy Framework, Local Plan processes and Development Management procedures.
- Experience working with Local Planning Authorities, Local Highway Authorities and key infrastructure stakeholders.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary projects and teams.
- Strong commercial and project management skills including budgeting, forecasting and resource management.
- Experience developing client relationships and winning new work.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills including preparation of technical reports and public-facing documentation.
- Experience mentoring and developing junior staff.

About you
- Senior leadership capability with a collaborative and inclusive approach.
- Ability to foster a high-performing team culture.
- Commitment to wellbeing, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Motivated to support professional development and career progression within the team.

Qualifications
- Chartered status or demonstrable progression towards chartership.