Land and Consents Consultant (all levels)

WSP; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job description

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 one of the UK's largest suppliers of Land Services and is looking to broaden and strengthen its team of experienced land professionals across the UK with immediate vacancies for Land and Consents Consultant (all levels) to join our established teams.

Are you ready to contribute to major infrastructure projects in the UK? We’re excited to offer opportunities within our multidisciplinary firm. As a valued member of our Land Services team, you’ll play a crucial role in delivering essential services related to land acquisition, valuation, compulsory purchase, compensation, landowner engagement, land access, wayleaves, consents, and negotiations.

This role can be based in one of our offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow or Perth with the flexibility of hybrid working between one of these locations and home. There is scope for a suitable candidate to be located in the North of Scotland, with availability for travel to site or office locations around Scotland.

A little more about your role…

• Negotiating access to and acquiring complex land for high profile, strategic infrastructure projects across the UK, with a particular focus on Scotland.
• Securing appropriate land rights for large scale development projects and providing strategic land advice to our clients.
• Drafting and preparing consent documents.
• Utilising statutory powers and other available mechanisms to acquire land (such as CPO, TCPA, DCO) on behalf of WSP clients across highways, rail, water, gas and all energy sectors including renewables.
• Negotiation of Heads of Terms for large scale, complex landowners to secure land for projects in timely fashion utilising the appropriate mechanism.
• Liaising with major landowners’ land agents, legal representatives, planning authorities, key stakeholders, contractors and clients.
• Managing and settling compensation claims (e.g. CPO, land damage, voluntary etc).
• Experience in working with multi-disciplinary teams across a range of sectors and locations across the UK.
• Demonstrable experience in supporting and/or developing a team of early career professionals providing both technical training and career development support.
• Participation within the management team, propelling the team forward and advancing its growth and development.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with both internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience of negotiating with complex landowners and robust knowledge of the legal process for the acquisition of property and rights.
• Experience of managing and settling a range of voluntary and compulsory purchase compensation claims (e.g. HOTs, wayleave, servitudes, EA Agreements, Option Agreements).
• Experience of high profile infrastructure development schemes in particular the road, rail, gas, electricity or renewable energy sector.
• A full UK driving licence is required.
• Proven track record in the leading delivery of land and property related services.
• Understanding of landownership and occupation in Scotland and the implication this can have for securing agreements for DNOs and developers.
• Understanding of the Scottish planning system, the Electricity Act 1989, structure of agricultural tenancies/agreement, agriculture in Scotland.
• Broad knowledge of relevant legislation and procedures.
• Effective, concise communication with strong influencing and negotiating skills.
• Associate or full Membership to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors or other professional membership (desirable but not essential).

We will consider candidates that have relevant transferable skills in land and consents management therefore fully demonstrating all of the above role requirements is not essential.

YOUR TEAM

As a part of the WSP Land Team you would work to deliver land acquisition, land access, formal consents, statutory orders and compensation agreements.

Our clients develop major highway, rail, energy and renewable infrastructure projects, all of which impact privately owned land. You will work as part of a team of Land Specialists assisting in the liaison with landowners that may be affected by development, obtaining the appropriate land consents, gaining access and where necessary compensating them for the impact caused by the scheme.

As part of our Land Team you will combine office, home and on-site working to support the delivery of land access and land acquisition projects through the identification of land ownership, consultation with landowners, undertaking property valuation, assessing and negotiating compensation, combining skills in GIS, data management and landowner engagement.

The role would encompass working with our Land Team across a variety of commercial, residential and agricultural properties.

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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