Location
Manchester

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? 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 can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

WSP is an award-winning consultancy employing the largest number of chartered town planners across the UK, operating within both the infrastructure and property markets. In December 2025, WSP won the RTPI’s Planning Consultancy of the Year, with judges commending the team for excellence in uniting diverse disciplines to achieve outstanding results and strong community engagement.

It has never been a more exciting time to join WSP’s market-leading Infrastructure Planning Team. Our success is built on employing highly skilled consenting specialists experienced in serving a diverse portfolio of clients in energy, renewables, nuclear, net zero, water, rail, transportation, and aviation sectors. We work at all stages of the consenting process from early feasibility, application preparation, and delivery of consents through construction across a variety of projects.

With notable contract and framework awards from National Grid as part of the Great Grid Partnership and many other clients, we have a strong foundation for growth in 2026. Our key clients include National Grid, National Gas, Nuclear Waste Services, EET Fuels, Eni UK, SSE, Scottish Power Renewables, Severn Trent Water, Southern Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, and more.

To continue sustainable growth, we are seeking an experienced Senior Consultant to support town planning and consenting inputs on major and nationally significant infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will have demonstrable experience working within multi-disciplinary teams to secure consent and approvals for major infrastructure projects via the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, Planning Act 2008, and Transport and Works Act Order. Experience with the Planning (Wales) Act 2015, Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, or Electricity Act is also of interest.

Join us and be part of a team delivering impactful infrastructure projects that shape the future.

Experience
- Leading consenting inputs on major projects (DCOs, DNSs, TWAOs etc).
- Providing strong technical leadership and advice to clients and managing their consenting requirements.
- Coordinating preparation and submission of consent applications under various planning regimes.
- Acting as Project Director for projects led by the Infrastructure Planning business.
- Leading complex negotiations with statutory bodies and stakeholders.
- Acting as Planning Expert Witness at DCO examinations, hearings, or inquiries.
- Supporting and pursuing new work-winning opportunities aligned with WSP’s Growth Strategy.
- Strong understanding of project finances and demonstrable project management experience within a consultancy environment.
- Line management and mentoring colleagues in project delivery roles.

About you
Experienced, confident and motivated individual with a passion for infrastructure planning and consenting. Able to work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams and lead complex projects. Strong communicator with excellent negotiation skills and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes for clients.

Qualifications
- Degree level qualification in town planning or equivalent.
- Member of the RTPI.

If you don’t quite meet all the criteria, we encourage you to apply so we can explore how your experience aligns with this role or other opportunities within the team.