Principal Consultant - Naas, County Kildare

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 i ...

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…

As a Principal EIA Consultant , you will take a leading role in delivering Environmental Impact Assessments across a range of sectors including electricity transmission, renewable energy, gas, and other major infrastructure projects. You'll provide technical direction, manage project delivery, support regulatory processes, and work closely with clients and stakeholders to ensure high‑quality outcomes.

This role is ideal for an experienced consultant ready to step into a more senior, visible position—taking ownership of complex projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams, and contributing to the continued development of our EIA capability.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the delivery of EIAs for major energy and infrastructure schemes

• Provide specialist environmental advice to clients, colleagues, and project managers

• Collaborate with environmental specialists, engineers, and clients to embed sustainable design and environmental enhancement

• Manage complex, multi‑disciplinary project teams to ensure high‑quality, on‑time, and commercially sound outcomes

• Support client relationship development, helping identify opportunities where WSP can add value

• Contribute to business development activity, including supporting bids, proposals, and framework submissions

• Represent WSP at meetings, workshops, and public consultations

• Contribute to innovation in EIA delivery through Digital EIA, Technical Excellence initiatives and Future Ready thinking

• Mentor and support junior team members, contributing to skills development and team capability

• Promote a positive team culture and model WSP's commitment to health, safety, inclusion, and wellbeing

• Support the wider team in achieving business objectives and delivering high‑quality project outcomes

Your Team

Our Environment team in Ireland is made up of environmental scientists, ecologists, geologists and environmental engineers who work collaboratively to deliver impactful projects across the energy, transport, development, manufacturing and mining sectors. Based in our Naas office, you'll be part of a supportive and highly capable group with a strong sense of shared ownership and purpose. You'll help deliver complex, high‑profile projects and contribute to the continued growth and evolution of the team—directly supporting Ireland's sustainability ambitions.

What we'll look for you to demonstrate…

• A relevant environmental or planning degree (or equivalent experience)

• Significant experience in EIA delivery for major energy or infrastructure projects

• Strong working knowledge of Irish planning legislation and EU directives, with experience engaging with An Coimisiún Pleanála and public consultation processes

• Broad understanding of environmental issues and how they interact across disciplines

• Experience managing complex projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams

• Strong relationship‑building skills with clients, regulators, and stakeholders

• Experience contributing to bids, proposals, or business development activities

• Commitment to mentoring and developing others, with experience supporting team capability growth

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Chartership (or working towards Chartership) with a relevant professional body

If you don't meet all that we are looking for please still consider applying. Not everyone will meet all the requirements, but you might have skills we didn't know we need.

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.

#LI-JC3

We are one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 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 & 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 our 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.