Associate / Associate Director - Aviation, Environmental Consents

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. 

A little more about your role…

Air transport is vital to the economy and the daily lives of millions—regionally, nationally, and globally. At WSP, we draw on experience from working on over 8,000 aviation projects for over 350 national and international airports in over 40 countries. We are also proud administrators of ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable aviation.

As one of the largest environmental consultancies in the UK, you’ll get the opportunity to contribute to landmark aviation projects and collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry. You’ll be encouraged to explore new ideas in a culture that values curiosity and diverse perspectives. 

With the continued growth of the UK aviation sector comes increased scrutiny and a more complex consenting environment. As an Associate or Associate Director  in our Environmental Consents team in London, you’ll play a key role in navigating this landscape—supporting airport expansion through strategic planning, environmental advice, and technical studies.

You’ll contribute to some of the UK’s most significant and transformative aviation infrastructure projects, delivering services such as planning applications, EIA, airspace change proposals, and support for DCO examinations and planning inquiries to name a few.

This is a post which is of strategic significance for our business and represents a challenging and exciting opportunity to identify, win and deliver multi-disciplinary inputs for aviation projects. We need people with creative spirit, a dedicated approach and a solid grounding in environmental design, assessment and management at any stage of the development project lifecycle.

Join a great organisation

As an Associate or Associate Director, you will collaborate with a diverse team of technical specialists and design professionals to lead and coordinate environmental contributions across project designs and assessments. You will be instrumental in improving the environmental performance for a range of aviation projects.

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

• Playing a key role in growing our aviation sector offer, working with sector leads and client account managers to drive thought leadership and win new business.
• Providing environmental advice and support to clients, project managers and colleagues.
• Working with colleagues, environmental specialists, clients and engineering teams to promote sustainable design and environmental enhancement.
• Leading large, multiple, and complex projects, overseeing our performance on technical, quality, commercial, and health and safety.
• Build strong client relationships and identify opportunities to support project strategy, resourcing and delivery.
• Undertaking activities to secure new work, including developing proposals for complex opportunities, delivering strategic level bids and framework opportunities, and undertaking business development opportunities.
• Champion innovation through approaches such as Digital EIA, Technical Excellence and Future Ready.
• Driving performance improvement and career advancement opportunities across team.
• Promote an inclusive and positive team environment, acting as a trusted advisor and mentor.
• Promoting an inclusive workplace, demonstrating an understanding of Health and Safety whilst living the values of our health, safety, and wellbeing culture.
• Undertaking 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…

• Relevant environmental or planning degree (or equivalent experience), with chartered status or actively working towards chartership.
• Demonstrable experience in delivering Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for aviation schemes, including under a range of UK planning regimes such as the Town and Country Planning Act and the Planning Act 2008. Awareness of the application of the Transport Works Act 1992 is beneficial. 
• Familiarity with relevant consenting processes associated with aviation and airport-related projects, including Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA), Environmental Permit applications etc. Understanding of how these processes integrate with the planning system and EIA for airport expansions, airspace change, or infrastructure upgrades.
• Capable of leading client communications and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders, regulators, and the public, with a solid understanding of public consultation and stakeholder engagement processes.
• Knowledge of emerging environmental and planning policy trends.
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to strategic planning, win new work through bids and proposals, and enhance reputation in the aviation sector. 

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world. 

With us, you can. Apply today.

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