WSP in the UK & Ireland
Strategic Growth Director – Business Development and Client Engagement – Sustainability, Earth and Environment
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Strategic Growth Director – Business Development and Client Engagement – Sustainability, Earth and Environment
Head of Business Development – Earth, Environment & Sustainability
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.
About the Role
Responsible for shaping, coordinating and delivering structured business development, client engagement and market profile activity across the Earth, Environment and Sustainability portfolio of Business Units. The postholder will:
- Translate portfolio strategy into practical growth activity by strengthening relationships with existing corporate clients, accessing new decision-makers, identifying adjacent market opportunities, and supporting coordinated work winning across priority sectors.
- Focus on understanding client needs, market drivers and decision-making processes, then mobilising the right technical, sector and commercial expertise to position the business effectively.
- Act as a connector between client needs, sector strategy, technical capability and work-winning efforts across established and emerging markets where environmental risk, sustainability, planning, consenting, climate resilience, nature, digital solutions, and multidisciplinary delivery intersect.
Key Responsibilities
Client Engagement & Relationship Management
- Design and deliver a strategic engagement programme with key clients across priority sectors to improve relationship depth and access to senior/C-suite stakeholders.
- Identify and expand cross-selling opportunities within existing and new accounts.
- Implement a disciplined client feedback process, ensuring insights drive continuous improvement in client experience and delivery confidence.
Business Development & Growth
- Identify, qualify, and progress new opportunities across existing, adjacent, and emerging markets, leveraging environmental, sustainability, planning, and digital capabilities.
- Lead coordination and execution of capture plans for high-priority strategic pursuits, including early positioning and senior client engagement.
- Support development of client-focused propositions aligned with buying decisions and sector priorities.
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Market Positioning & Profiling
- Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to raise visibility of portfolio strengths, technical leadership, campaigns, case studies, and thought leadership.
- Share market intelligence and horizon-scanning insights with sector and technical leaders to inform growth strategies.
Collaboration & Governance
- Work closely with Strategic Growth Leads, Managing Directors, Sector Leads, Key Account Managers, bid teams, and technical leaders.
- Ensure cross-team coordination to avoid duplication and align growth activities with portfolio priorities.
- Maintain governance standards for opportunity qualification, account planning, and feedback follow-up.
Expected Outcomes & Metrics
Success Metrics
- A clear client engagement programme, reviewed quarterly, with senior stakeholder access secured.
- Improved pipeline quality through better-qualified opportunities and earlier positioning.
- Stronger cross-selling between Sustainability, Environment, and wider firm capabilities.
- Increased market visibility with measurable engagement in priority campaigns/events.
- Disciplined client feedback integration into relationship improvement and future positioning.
Key Performance Indicators
- Client Engagement – Active plans for priority clients, reviewed quarterly.
- Senior Access – Regular meetings with executive sponsors/procurement leads.
- Pipeline Growth – Measurable improvement in qualified pipeline value and confidence.
- Strategic Pursuits – Clear ownership of capture plans for each strategic opportunity.
- Cross-Selling – Targeted growth from existing clients and frameworks.
- Client Feedback – Consistent capture and action on feedback across projects.
- Market Profile – Programmmed visibility-boosting initiatives, e.g., events/case studies.
- Reporting – Regular reports on engagement trends, pipeline health, and profile activity.
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Key Interfaces
Collaborate with:
- Strategic Growth Leads (Richard Clayton, Elena Amirkhanova)
- Business Unit & Portfolio Leadership (Mark Hurley, Barry Cowell)
- Enterprise-Wide Teams: Managing Directors, Heads of Discipline, Sector Leads, Key Account Managers
- Technical Leaders & Proposition Owners (Earth/Environment/Sustainability Advisors)
- Marketing & Communications (campaigns, profiles, events)
- Bid, Proposal & Capture Teams (client insights, competitor analysis)
- Delivery Teams & Project Directors (major projects, client satisfaction)
About WSP
Our Purpose
We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms, dedicated to creating positive, long-lasting impact through innovation, integrity, and inclusion.
Values & Culture
- Flexibility & Work-Life Balance:
- Hybrid working (2 days home, 3 in office with options to customise).
- "WSP My Hour" – Dedicated flexible hour daily for personal needs.
- Part-time/flexible work options and additional paid leave available.
- Wellbeing & Support:
- Virtual GP access, menopause support, and Gymflex gym membership discounts (40% off).
- Thrive Program with health/wellbeing tools and reasonable adjustments.
- Development & Inclusion:
- Mentoring, Chartership opportunities, and career growth encouragement.
- Inclusive culture: Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) foster belonging for diverse backgrounds.
Our People
- 84,000+ employees globally.
- 11,000+ UK/Irish professionals with deep local ties and international collaboration.
Apply today to join our team, where your impact matters. IMAGINE A BETTER FUTURE FOR YOU AND FOR ALL.
#WeAreWSP
We positively encourage applications from all backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, we will interview disabled applicants meeting our criteria and discuss reasonable adjustments for your application.
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