Principal Consultant - Water Quality and Management

Role Overview

At WSP, our Water and Environment team is growing fast, building long‑standing relationships with some of the UK’s leading water companies and delivering work that genuinely matters: solving complex environmental challenges, supporting critical water infrastructure, and helping protect natural resources for the long term.

We are looking for a Principal Consultant to join a collaborative, supportive team of specialists spanning hydrology, ecology, water quality, flood risk, geomorphology, natural capital and more. You will work across a diverse and exciting portfolio, from strategic water resource planning and drought resilience to catchment science and environmental impact assessment. You will lead projects, shape proposals, build client relationships, and play a real part in driving the growth of our business across the UK, Ireland and beyond.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading specialist projects and significant technical workstreams within multi‑disciplinary programmes
• Providing technical direction across environmental disciplines, ensuring quality and consistency
• Building and maintaining strong client and stakeholder relationships
• Contributing to business development, from shaping bids through to project close‑out
• Supporting and developing colleagues, with the opportunity to take on people management responsibilities

What we’re looking for

• Significant experience in environmental consultancy within the UK water sector
• Strong technical expertise in one or more of: hydrology, hydro‑ecology, or freshwater catchment science
• A solid understanding of UK water industry regulation
• Confidence in leading project delivery and managing competing priorities
• A collaborative mindset with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• An environmentally related degree (postgraduate qualification desirable)

Benefits

• Hybrid and flexible working that fits around your life
• Chartership sponsorship and professional development to support your career goals
• Employee Share Purchase Programme (ESPP) to share in WSP’s success
• Wellbeing programmes because how you feel matters
• The chance to work on some of the most impactful water and environment projects in the UK, Ireland and globally
• A team that is genuinely collaborative, supportive, and growing