Location
Belfast, County Antrim, United Kingdom with flexible hybrid working options across WSP offices in the UK and Ireland including Dublin, Naas, Belfast and wider locations.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Join WSP’s Land team, the largest and most successful land consultancy supporting major strategic infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland. As a Senior Agricultural Liaison Officer, you will provide expert advice and support on agricultural and land management to facilitate access, wayleaving, and possession of land. You will advise on agricultural tenancies and secure land rights for high-profile infrastructure projects across sectors including electricity, highway, rail, water, telecoms, gas, and renewable energy.

Your responsibilities will include utilising statutory powers such as Vesting Orders and Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) to acquire land on behalf of clients, negotiating commercial terms and land-related agreements, and working closely with multidisciplinary teams including engineering, environmental, and planning professionals.

You will organise and attend site meetings with landowners, agents, legal teams, and stakeholders, maintaining positive relationships and managing landowner disputes. Regular reporting to clients and project teams, preparation and quality assurance of consenting documentation, and adherence to WSP health and safety procedures for site work are key aspects of this role.

WSP Land has a 30+ year history supporting landmark projects such as HS1, HS2, East West Rail, Dublin Metrolink, and many renewable energy initiatives critical to achieving net zero carbon emissions. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to impactful infrastructure developments that benefit communities and the economy.

Experience
- Proven experience delivering land referencing, land access, landowner engagement, and statutory processes on major infrastructure projects.
- Skilled in negotiating with landowners and understanding legal processes for acquisition of wayleaves, easements, and servitudes.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary teams across various sectors and locations in the UK and Ireland.
- Demonstrable ability to reduce land risk for clients and advise on land-related matters throughout project lifecycles.
- Knowledge of land access permissions, s172 licences, and site safety is preferred.
- Experience in infrastructure, utilities, or energy sectors is desirable.

About you
- Strong communication, influencing, and negotiation skills.
- Excellent landowner and public engagement abilities.
- Knowledge of urban and/or rural environments and farming practices is highly desirable.
- Ability to travel effectively to various sites and remote locations.
- Commitment to adhering to health and safety procedures.
- Collaborative team player with a proactive approach to problem-solving and innovation.
- Willingness to support knowledge sharing and business development activities.

Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent experience in Geography, Land/Estate Management, Agriculture, or a relevant discipline.
- Chartered status or membership of a relevant professional body is advantageous.
- Relevant technical and statutory knowledge to prepare and quality assure technical documents and negotiate Heads of Terms.
- A positive attitude and commitment to delivering high-quality client service.