Senior Land Consultant

About the Role

Join WSP's Land team, the largest and most accomplished group within the industry, recognized for delivering major infrastructure projects in Ireland and the UK. As a Senior Land Consultant, you will contribute significantly across the entire project lifecycle—from land referencing and acquisition to stakeholder engagement and statutory compliance—helping shape landmark projects that have a positive impact on communities and economies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead efforts to secure land and land access by coordinating surveys and building strong relationships with landowners and stakeholders through negotiation and statutory powers.
• Manage land referencing and land access projects, overseeing audits and ensuring quality assurance of documentation and processes.
• Integrate land requirements with engineering, planning, and environmental strategies to align project goals.
• Provide expert advice to clients and project boards regarding land acquisition risks and opportunities throughout project stages.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and legal obligations, including data security and privacy requirements.
• Handle dispute resolution diplomatically and escalate sensitive matters appropriately.
• Contribute to commercial strategy and risk management related to land contracts.
• Develop training programs and succession planning initiatives within the Land team.
• Lead, manage, and mentor junior team members, facilitating technical training and career development.
• Engage effectively with landowners, communities, and various stakeholders to maintain positive relationships.
• Arrange and coordinate land surveys ensuring adherence to environmental and legal standards.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary collaboration across infrastructure sectors, including energy, rail, highways, water, and aviation.
• Support business development activities and contribute to achieving organizational strategies.
• Travel within Ireland and the UK as required, with potential visits to WSP’s Global Capability Centre in India.

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Geography, Land/Estate Management, Agriculture, or related disciplines.
• Proven experience delivering land referencing, land access services, landowner engagement, and statutory compliance on major infrastructure projects.
• Competence in negotiating with landowners and understanding acquisition processes for wayleaves, easements, or servitudes is advantageous.
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams across diverse sectors and regions in Ireland and/or the UK.
• Strong track record in mitigating land-related risks and advising clients throughout project life cycles.
• Demonstrated expertise in developing statutory orders, securing consents, and knowledge of applicable legislation.
• Background in infrastructure projects, especially within energy (renewable and nuclear), transportation (rail and highways), water, and aviation sectors.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills fostering strong stakeholder relationships.
• Familiarity with urban and rural contexts and farming practices is desirable.
• Chartership or membership in a relevant professional body is beneficial.
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites and offices as necessary.

Additional Information

WSP values work-life balance, offering hybrid working flexibility combining office and home-based work. The firm promotes inclusivity, diversity, and well-being through dedicated resource groups and health programs. Employees benefit from professional development opportunities such as chartership support, mentoring, and participation in the Land Academy—a CPD-focused internal training platform. The role involves a broad variety of tasks rotated regularly to build a versatile skill set, including GIS, data management, valuations, negotiations, and project management.

Work locations include offices around Ireland and the UK, including Dublin, Naas, Belfast, and more, with the role based onsite primarily in Naas, County Kildare, Ireland.