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’s Land team is seeking talented Land professionals to join what is already the largest and most successful team in our industry. This is an exciting opportunity to develop or begin a career with a team that enjoys a successful reputation for the successful delivery of major strategic infrastructure projects across Ireland and the UK through the support provided by land referencing, urban and rural landowner engagement, consultation management, land access, formal consents, statutory orders, compensation agreements and land acquisition. Apply and come and discuss the contributions you can make in the delivery of the widest portfolio of projects across all sectors in Ireland and the UK.

In today’s world it’s important to work for a company that has clear purpose, giving back to communities and supporting what is truly important in the world.

When considering a career move it’s vital to work for a business that is aligned to your values and goals, a place where you can belong. See what WSP stands for in 2026 and beyond…

To find out more about our Land business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at WSP: Land referencing and land assembly | WSP

Land at WSP

We are the largest and most successful Land business supporting infrastructure development in Ireland and the UK, with 300+ specialist professional colleagues consisting of land consultants, property specialists, project managers and highly skilled land and engineering surveyors. We have the widest portfolio of projects available in our industry, offering unrivalled opportunities to both develop and diversify careers, working on some of the most exciting and challenging projects across the whole of Ireland and the UK.

Our clients rely on us to deliver the essential land elements of their infrastructure projects and we enjoy a hard-earned reputation of success. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of this success, delivering land referencing, land acquisition, land access, formal consents, statutory orders, land and engineering surveying, valuation, compensation, land registration, landowner engagement and more across all infrastructure sectors and make a positive impact on economy and communities these projects serve.

Our land referencing professionals, identify land and legal interest in land and use this data to secure powers and/or negotiate land acquisition and land access to support infrastructure development. We provide clients with all the land-related statutory documentation the need to comply with planning processes as they develop, plan, securing and exercise powers to construct, operate and maintain their infrastructure assets. Using the land referencing data, we ensure projects not just comply with legislation but also fulfil their data security obligations, engage meaningfully with landowners and other affected stakeholders, and maximize their benefits of the landed data we provide throughout project lifecycle, ultimately registering the new rights in the name of the client.

Our Energy projects are critical for the deployment of renewable energy and helping the economy to achieve net zero carbon emissions.  We support a range of energy generation (nuclear and renewable) and transmission and distribution projects across the UK and Ireland, including distribution and carbon capture.

WSP Land has a 30+ year history of supporting major Rail projects including the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL or HS1); Central Railway; the Thameslink Programme, the first major Transport & Works Act project; West Coast Mainline Four Tracking; HS2 Phases 1, 2a and 2b; TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) and East West Rail (EWR). Our track record also includes successes in light rail and metro schemes including Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Express Transit, Edinburgh Tram, Luton Translink and the current Dublin MetroLink project, Ireland’s largest ever infrastructure project.

Principal Land Consultant

Ensure successful delivery of projects securely, on time, within budget and to high standards
Be a trusted advisor to clients (externally and internally) and manage relationships
Advise on Land issues across Ireland and the UK, including at least some of the relevant statutory processes to acquire land such as DCOs, DNOs, hybrid Bills, Scottish Bills, TWA, T&CPA, CPOs, Motorway Orders, Vesting Orders, etc 
Secure land rights for high profile, strategic infrastructure projects across all sectors
Liaise with landowners, land agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients
Work with Land team colleagues and collaborate with engineering, environmental, and planning teams both within WSP and as part of project supply chains
Undertake quality assurance of deliverables in relation to the identification of land interests and rights, negotiation of access to land for surveys, consents and acquisition of land rights for large scale development projects, as well as land acquisition and planning applications.
Support quality and the sharing of knowledge and lessons across regions and projects
People management as a leader and role model
Manage, motivate, mentor and develop staff and contribute to the development and delivery of the business strategy
Support the writing of bids/tenders to secure opportunities from internal and external clients
Delivery of training on technical topics by contributing to and participating in our CPD-accredited Land Academy
UK and Ireland travel plus the possibility of travel to WSP’s Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

Expertise in urban and/or rural environment, property, communities and stakeholders
Experience in working on infrastructure development schemes with multi-disciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations
Experience of negotiating commercial terms with landowners and knowledge of the legal process for the acquisition of wayleaves and easement and negotiated access
Demonstrable experience of reducing land risk for clients and advising them on land-related matters throughout all stages of a project lifecycle
Track record of the development of Orders, etc and/or acquisition of consents and interests in land, and knowledge of relevant legislation
Ability to communicate effectively with strong influencing and negotiating skills
Ability to work in a team and on own initiative, being able to work under pressure and deliver high quality outputs
Strong landowner and public engagement skills
Good business and IT skills
Adherence to quality assurance and good document management skills
A degree in Geography, Land/Estate Management, Agriculture or similar
Chartership or membership of a relevant professional body would be advantageous
The ability to travel effectively to various sites/locations is a necessary function of this role.
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. Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all

Location

As part of WSP Land you will enjoy the support of your multi-disciplinary colleagues in our Dublin, Naas, Belfast and wider offices throughout the UK and well as in India

We support high-profile infrastructure projects across the whole of the island of Ireland such as Dublin Metrolink, the largest infrastructure project in the history of Ireland; the North South Interconnector; NM20; M17 and A5, as well as other projects. Many of our Energy projects are critical for the deployment of renewable energy, helping the Ireland economy to achieve net zero carbon emissions, and we support emerging rail, water, highways and other projects that represent investment in Ireland’s future.

The role can be based in one of WSP’s many offices across Ireland and the UK including with the flexibility of hybrid working between one of these locations and from home.

What is in it for you?

Work-life balance

WSP recognizes that work is only one part of your life and being available for other things is important – whether that is for your families, friends, or yourself. Our hybrid working policy allows the flexibility to work from the comfort of your own home as well as collaborating in our contemporary offices across Ireland and the UK.

Inclusivity & Diversity

We want our people to achieve rewarding careers, bringing their whole selves to work. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. Our employee resource groups VIBE (LGBTQ+ employees), CREED (Championing Racial Equality and Ethnic Diversity) and our Gender Balance Group, in tandem with WSP’s Neurodiverse Community Group, WSP Connect Group (visible and non-visible disabilities) help us promote the right environment for you to reach your full potential.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Med24 gives you and your family unrestricted telephone access to an NHS doctor where you can call day or night or have a face-to-face video consultation.

Flex your time

For improved work life balance, WSP offers the ‘WSP Hour’ which enables you to take one hour per day to do as you wish and make up the time earlier or later that day. We also offer part time and flexible working arrangements plus the option to flex your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We appreciate that development and training is important to you and that is why we have a supportive environment that invests in your development, whether that’s chartership, training or mentoring. WSP’s Land Academy is designed and delivered by our expert Land team for our Land team, with a focus on providing the best standard training and CPD across the industry and support and guidance to achieve your chartership. With a network of experts available to guide, we support your management and ownership of your own projects, client advisory, line management, presentation, training and leadership skills.

Variety of work

With a broad selection of projects, we don’t pigeonhole you into a particular project or role. The Land Academy enables you to broaden your capability into GIS, Data Management, Valuations, Negotiations, Referencing and Access and Project Management to be a more rounded and valuable consultant. Project experience rotates, on average, around every 18 months. Day to day activities vary from site activities, landowner engagement, access negotiations, client meetings, project management, report writing, data management, digital innovation scoping and map production.

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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Principal Land Consultant

Benefits

Job Description