Associate Director (Environmental Policy)

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.

A little more about your role

• Water: Fitness Check of the Water Framework Directive and Floods Directive, a study to support the impact assessment of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive.
• Air quality and industrial emissions: Ongoing work over many years to support Defra with assessing costs and benefits of measures to reduce air pollutant emissions across multiple sectors; framework contract with the European Commission on industrial emissions; work with European Parliament on mapping and assessing local policies on air quality.
• Deforestation: back-to-back evaluation of the EU Timber Regulation and EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Regulation and impact assessment for measures against deforestation (EUDR).
• Circular economy: various studies at regional, national and international levels (e.g. Zero Waste Scotland, the World Bank) looking at material recovery, recycling and recyclability of packaging, single use plastics, etc.
• Chemicals: Leading projects on review of EU chemicals legislation (fitness check) and on REACH (e.g. the impact assessment for the revision of REACH, studies on introducing a mixture assessment factor and the essential use concept); POPs Regulation; the transition to safe and sustainable chemicals; impacts from chemicals on human health and the environment; transparency across the supply chain; socio-economic analysis for chemical substances; and assessing risk management options for PFAS.

Applications from those with European language skills - in addition to a high professional standard of written and spoken English - are particularly welcome. Our team is based across the UK, Belgium, Germany and beyond Europe, in Canada and the US. We are seeking to fill this role in the UK, in one of our London or Bristol offices but the position will involve work with colleagues and partners across our network of offices in Europe and the rest of the world.

• This is a key role within our team, and we would typically require around 10 or more years' relevant experience.
• You will manage and/or direct a diverse range of environmental policy projects within thematic areas, including water, air quality, chemicals, industrial emissions, waste, etc., ensuring projects are executed efficiently, on time, and within budget.
• You will bring expertise in policy impact assessment and evaluation, cost-benefit and socio-economic analysis to the team, providing guidance and mentorship to younger staff members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development.
• You will actively engage with clients and stakeholders from the public and private sectors, building and maintaining relationships to identify new business opportunities. You will successfully win new environmental policy projects through effective proposal writing and presentations.
• You will collaborate with the team to develop and implement long-term strategies for the environmental policy team.
• You will drive policy advancements in our thematic areas by leveraging research, data-driven analysis, and evidence-based recommendations.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

Technical experience

• Postgraduate qualification in environmental policy / science / technology, chemistry, economics, engineering, similar.
• Professional experience of environmental or policy analysis. Relevant work experience in leading and delivering government policy Evaluations, and Impact Assessments, or a related area. This may be within a consultancy, government, research agency/think tank, NGO or private sector / industry organisation or relevant placement.
• Strong expertise in policy evaluation and impact assessment methodologies, using data-driven approaches to inform decision-making and policy recommendations.
  • Proficiency in analysing complex environmental policy issues, identifying challenges, and proposing evidence-based solutions.
  • Demonstrable research skills / experience: this may be via collection and analysis of data, summarising and critically evaluating literature, stakeholder interviewing, for example.
  • Understanding of analytical techniques such as: survey design and execution; market analysis; and socio-economic analysis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to present findings, policy recommendations, and project updates to clients, stakeholders, and the broader public. Excellent communication skills and ability to write clear and concise reports in English.

Project management experience

• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage a portfolio of environmental policy projects, ensuring deadlines are met and deliverables are of high quality.
• Experience in budgeting, resource allocation, client and subcontractor management and project planning to achieve successful project outcomes.

Strategy and commercial experience

• Proven track record in winning new environmental policy projects and contracts, including successful proposal writing and client engagement.
• Participation in the development and implementation of the team's environmental policy strategy to drive growth and achieve long-term objectives.

Staff management

• Communication and interpersonal skills to mentor and develop team members, fostering a cohesive and high-performing team environment.

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.

Responsibilities

• fluence the development and improvement of environmental policies in the UK, EU and beyond, addressing some of the most challenging issues we face.

Qualifications About Us

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 69,300 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It's important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Diversity

We welcome applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing diversity to create a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

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 offers you and your family unlimited telephone access to an NHS doctor, available 24/7, with options for face-to-face video consultations. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the "WSP My Hour," allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That's why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.



Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.