Head of Discipline IP&EA

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

WSP is one of the world's leading engineering and environmental professional services firms providing technical consultancy to the built and natural environment. We believe that for societies to thrive, we must all hold ourselves accountable for tomorrow. For us, that means creating innovative solutions to the challenges the future will bring to the communities and environments where we live and work across the UK.

We are locally dedicated and propelled by international brainpower. We are technical experts and strategic advisors, including engineers, technicians, scientists, planners, surveyors, geo-science and environmental specialists, as well as other design, programme and construction management professionals. Our experts influence and design sustainable lasting solutions in the property & buildings, transportation & infrastructure, earth & environment, industry and power & energy sectors as well as project delivery and strategic consulting services.

Your new role, what's involved?:

From 2026, we are uniting our Energy, Planning, Environment and Sustainability (EPES) to offer fully integrated, future-ready solutions that address climate change, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable development. This alignment enhances our market reach, fosters innovation, and strengthens client relationships, enabling us to accelerate decarbonisation and amplify social and environmental value.

Our growth strategy includes expanding our market-leading positions, focusing on top clients, driving technical excellence, and improving project margins through integration with our delivery teams in GCC. Our goal is to achieve 15% annual growth and 20% EBITDA margins in this strategic cycle, supported by optimising the development of our people, operating margin, and offshore delivery capabilities.

Reporting to the Business Unit Managing Director (BUMD), the Head of Discipline (HOD) is a member of the Business Unit Senior Leadership Team and accountable for their discipline, associated overarching strategy, growth in accordance with the UK and discipline plan, discipline annual budget setting, together with associated business performance and operational delivery. The HOD will also shape the culture with Environmental Social Governance (ESG) at its core.

Key to delivering your role:

• Leading on Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Drive work winning, market growth and client development.
• Build WSP's profile across the market.
• Deliver strong revenue, profit, margin and cash performance.
• Be accountable for budget commitments, forecasting and business planning.
• Manage business risks and opportunities.
• Enhance technical excellence, quality and innovation.
• Grow and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team.

• Drive the accelerated growth of our complimentary resource centres (GCC) in India to enable delivery and greater market competitiveness.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Direction & P&L Accountability

The role will shape the future direction of the business, driving sustainable growth, operational performance and market differentiation whilst fostering a culture centred on health, safety, quality, inclusion and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and:

• Set and deliver the strategic direction for the IP&EA discipline.
• Hold full accountability for discipline performance, profitability and budget delivery.
• Lead forecasting, business planning and investment decisions.

• Improve operating margins, cash performance and resource utilisation.

Client Leadership & Growth

• Build and maintain executive-level client relationships.
• Lead strategic account development and major client engagements.
• Drive growth across our existing key sectors

• Penetrate new sectors and expand WSP's market share.

Business Development & Work Winning

• Lead major bids, pursuits and work-winning activities.
• Maintain a strong personal client portfolio.
• Raise WSP's profile through industry engagement, thought leadership and strategic networking.

• Support growth opportunities across the wider WSP business.

Delivery & Operational Excellence

• Provide executive oversight of major multidisciplinary projects.
• Ensure safe, profitable and high-quality project delivery.
• Champion operational excellence, risk management and continuous improvement.

• Drive integration with our extended delivery teams in India (GCC teams).

Technical Excellence & Market Leadership

• Lead the discipline's technical excellence agenda.
• Ensure capability development aligns with future market demand.
• Act as an industry leader, conference speaker and recognised voice in the profession.

• Maintain and enhance WSP's external market profile.

People Leadership

• Lead, inspire and develop approximately 550 professionals.
• Build a high-performance, inclusive and collaborative culture.
• Drive recruitment, retention, succession planning and leadership development.

• Foster strong engagement across UK and GCC teams.

Health, Safety, Environment & Quality

• Provide visible leadership on HSEQ and Zero Harm.
• Ensure compliance with WSP policies, governance and regulatory requirements.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, wellbeing and accountability.

• Integrate HSEQ considerations into all business and operational decisions.

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• Experience leading a large organisation with a focus on driving top-line growth and profitability in a sustainable and responsible way.
• Demonstrates proven success in driving revenue growth and broadening our service offerings within the sector.
• Brings extensive relevant sector experience, with a robust background in delivering multidisciplinary consultancy solutions.
• Skilled at expanding the business with a keen commercial perspective, ensuring that profitable outcomes are delivered in line with client expectations—focusing on generating revenue, managing for profit, and delivering client satisfaction.
• Well-versed in the complexities of professional services business models and large-scale capital projects.
• Maintains a well-established network of influential contacts across the market and excels at forging and nurturing strong professional relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

• A strong understanding of the sector and its clients. Able to evidence experience of successful executive leadership of major multi-disciplinary teams, engaging with senior clients.

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

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the

best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

With us, you can. Apply today.

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 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 11,000 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 & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied 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 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.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. 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.

#WeAreWSP

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.