WSP in the UK & Ireland
Principal Consultant – Policy, Regulation and Markets (Energy)
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Job Description
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.
With your help we can become a leader in the energy transition to net zero through the adoption of innovative technologies, renewables, and the transformation of existing assets on the journey to a decarbonised society.
As a Principal Consultant within our Energy Advisory team, you will take a leading role in shaping and growing our policy, regulation and markets offering across the UK and internationally. You will lead complex, high-profile engagements, develop strategic client relationships, win and direct major projects, and provide technical and people leadership across the team. You will play a key role in defining our market position, mentoring consultants and senior consultants, and helping to drive long-term business growth.
A Little More About Your Role…
Your Role – We are looking for a Principal Consultant – Policy, Regulation and Markets to join our Energy Advisory team and help lead the delivery and growth of our UK and global portfolio of energy transition, energy market reform, and regulatory projects.
Projects – You will lead advisory engagements across the electricity sector, including:
- Regulated businesses with regulatory and commercial strategy development, appraisal and delivery, including topics linked to business plans, price control design/operation and funding.
- Market participants with market/policy appraisal including commercial evaluation and analysis to support strategic responses and engagement with regulators/policy makers.
- Investors, lenders, governments and project developers with economic, regulatory and commercial analysis underpinning business strategies, investment decisions and sector reforms.
Responsibilities
Responsibilities and expectations – You will be a recognised technical and market leader supporting stakeholders across the electricity sector, including for example:
Project Delivery and Management
- Lead the delivery of complex and strategically important energy sector projects, ensuring exceptional technical quality, client satisfaction, and commercial performance.
- Act as Project Director or Senior Project Manager on major assignments, overseeing governance, financial performance, resource allocation, risk management, and delivery excellence.
- Lead multidisciplinary project teams across geographies, coordinating technical specialists to deliver integrated client solutions.
- Take ownership of developing and securing major proposals, frameworks and strategic pursuits, contributing significantly to revenue growth and market expansion.
- Provide oversight and quality assurance for project outputs, ensuring alignment with WSP standards and client expectations.
Technical Delivery & Leadership
- Act as a subject matter expert in energy market regulation and market design, providing strategic technical direction across projects and programmes.
- Lead the development of innovative analytical approaches, methodologies and models to address client challenges in rapidly evolving energy markets.
- Produce and review complex technical reports, business cases, regulatory submissions and strategic advisory documents to an exceptional professional standard.
- Provide technical leadership, coaching and mentoring to consultants and senior consultants, supporting capability development and knowledge sharing across the team.
- Drive continuous improvement in technical excellence, regulatory insight and market knowledge within the Energy Advisory business.
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Client Relationships & Thought Leadership
- Build, maintain and expand senior-level relationships with regulators, utilities, policymakers, investors and other key stakeholders across the energy sector.
- Identify, shape and convert business opportunities through trusted advisor relationships and a deep understanding of client challenges and market dynamics.
- Support key account management activities and contribute directly to strategic growth plans for priority clients and sectors.
- Represent WSP at industry conferences, forums and stakeholder events, enhancing our profile and market position.
- Develop and deliver thought leadership through publications, industry presentations, market insights, white papers and conference speaking opportunities.
- Support the development of WSP's Policy, Regulation and Markets and energy advisory strategy, helping to identify emerging market opportunities and future service offerings.
Some UK and international travel may be required for client engagements, conferences and business development activities.
What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…
Essential
- Degree level or higher in Economics, Engineering, or another relevant STEM discipline, or substantial directly relevant industry experience.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing, presentations and stakeholder engagement.
- Significant experience in energy sector regulation/policy and market design, including price control processes and mechanisms; market arrangements and their operation; economic appraisal and assessments.
- Proven consultancy, advisory or industry experience leading complex projects for regulators, utilities, investors, governments or infrastructure developers.
- Strong understanding of energy systems, regulation and markets, specifically electricity, with knowledge extending beyond a single jurisdiction.
- Demonstrable experience leading project teams and managing complex stakeholder environments.
- Proven track record of developing client relationships and securing new work.
- Excellent commercial awareness and understanding of project financial management.
- Outstanding analytical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining quality and meeting deadlines.
Desirable
- Established network of industry contacts within the regulatory, utility, government, investor or energy advisory communities.
- Experience leading business development activities and delivering measurable revenue growth.
- Experience supporting regulatory reform, market design, energy transition programmes and clean energy investment.
- Experience working across international markets.
- Ability to utilise sector contacts to create new opportunities and develop strategic partnerships.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary international teams.
Don't quite meet all the criteria? Apply, and we can see how your experience aligns to this role and other opportunities within the team.
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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.
About Us
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.
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