Lead Forestry Consultant / Forestry Service Lead

Shape a national forestry service. Shape the future of nature-positive infrastructure.

At WSP, you will join one of the world's leading professional services consultancies, working alongside experts who are helping clients solve some of the most complex environmental and infrastructure challenges facing society today.

Our Arboriculture & Forestry team sits within Nature Services, collaborating closely with specialists across ecology, landscape architecture, biodiversity net gain, natural capital, planning, sustainability, water, energy, transport, GIS, digital and advisory services.

We're seeking an experienced and ambitious forestry leader to drive the next phase of our forestry growth. This is a rare opportunity to build, lead and scale a nationally recognised forestry service within a major multidisciplinary consultancy, shaping our technical direction, developing innovative client solutions and establishing WSP as a market-leading forestry advisor.

Whether your expertise lies in woodland management, woodland creation, natural capital, forestry regulation, carbon, land management or strategic advisory services, this role provides the platform to influence the future of sustainable forestry across the UK and Ireland.

Why WSP?

At WSP, you'll have the opportunity to create something truly distinctive.

You'll benefit from:

• A unique opportunity to build and grow a forestry service within a major multidisciplinary consultancy.
• Access to nationally significant infrastructure, development, utilities, environmental and public-sector projects.
• Close collaboration with a growing Arboriculture & Forestry team and a market-leading Nature Services business.
• The freedom to shape technical standards, service offerings and market positioning with strong senior sponsorship.
• Opportunities to work alongside experts in ecology, biodiversity net gain, natural capital, carbon, landscape, planning, GIS, digital innovation and climate resilience.
• A supportive and inclusive culture that prioritises career development, mentoring, professional memberships and tailored CPD.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements that support both client requirements and personal wellbeing.
• A competitive salary and industry-leading benefits package.

The Role

As Lead Forestry Consultant / Forestry Service Lead, you will define and deliver WSP's forestry vision while providing strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of projects and clients.

You will:

• Lead the development and growth of WSP's forestry service across woodland management, woodland creation, forestry planning, forest resilience, grant schemes, woodland carbon, biodiversity net gain, natural capital and land management advisory services.
• Act as the senior technical lead for forestry inputs across multidisciplinary projects including infrastructure, energy, utilities, residential development, public-sector frameworks and estate management commissions.
• Oversee the preparation and review of Woodland Management Plans, woodland creation strategies, UK Forestry Standard-compliant advice, felling licence applications, grant submissions and technical reports.
• Develop innovative client propositions spanning woodland carbon, Woodland Carbon Code, natural capital, blended finance, biodiversity enhancement, climate resilience and long-term stewardship.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, landowners, regulators, public bodies and industry partners.
• Support business growth through opportunity identification, capture planning, bid leadership, fee proposals and strategic work-winning activities.
• Provide senior-level technical review, quality assurance and risk management across forestry deliverables.
• Mentor and develop consultants while creating clear career pathways for emerging forestry professionals.
• Build and lead a growing team of forestry specialists and collaborate with apprenticeship programmes to help develop the next generation of foresters.
• Represent WSP through thought leadership, industry events, conferences, client briefings, webinars and professional networks.
• Champion health, safety and wellbeing across forestry fieldwork and project delivery.

What We're Looking For

Essential

We're looking for an experienced forestry professional who combines technical excellence with leadership ambition.

You will bring:

• Significant experience in forestry consultancy, woodland management, land management or forestry regulation, with a proven track record of leadership and service development.
• Strong knowledge of the UK Forestry Standard, forestry regulation, woodland management planning, grant schemes and felling licence processes.
• Experience advising landowners, public bodies, infrastructure organisations or multidisciplinary project teams.
• Commercial awareness, including budgeting, project management, fee proposals, tender submissions and profitable project delivery.
• A strong client-focused approach and the ability to translate technical forestry advice into practical, strategic recommendations.
• Experience mentoring and developing teams while fostering an inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Membership of, or progression towards membership of, the Institute of Chartered Foresters (ICF), Arboricultural Association (AA), RICS or an equivalent professional body.
• Excellent communication, report writing, presentation and stakeholder engagement skills.

Desirable

You may also have experience in:

• Woodland Carbon Code projects, carbon validation and registration.
• Natural capital, biodiversity net gain, ecosystem services or nature finance.
• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), DCO/NSIP projects, utilities, strategic estate management, local authority frameworks or major infrastructure programmes.
• GIS, remote sensing, spatial analysis and data-led forestry decision making.
• Building and growing new teams, services or business lines across multiple regions.
• Executive leadership programmes, governance roles, advisory boards, trustee positions or recognised thought leadership within the sector.

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.