WSP in the U.S.
Opportunity
WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Economic Development Specialist. The role will provide leadership within the Economics, Finance, and Grants team and be a subject matter expert (SME) on regional economic growth policies and methods, incentive programs, Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) documents, infrastructure and real estate development finance, public‑private partnerships, and inter‑agency coordination. The ideal candidate will help WSP’s clients understand how to generate economic growth, create job opportunities, and unlock new development in their cities and service regions.
Responsibilities Our Senior Economic Development Specialist is responsible for driving top‑line growth as One WSP across the A&P business and in collaboration with our counterparts in Transportation & Infrastructure, Earth & Environment, Property & Buildings, Power & Energy, and Federal markets.
The activities will focus on leading and managing economic development strategies, projects, and developments— including mixed‑use, industrial, commercial, and transit‑oriented development. The role evaluates how infrastructure development can drive growth, produce positive economic impact, and be financed by that growth, in alignment with locally adopted plans and goals.
Lead complex projects that help clients find innovative economic development strategies in areas with limited private sector interest.
Act as the subject matter expert on incentive tools, economic growth policies, real estate development, and infrastructure finance.
Negotiate complex agreements with private businesses and analyze financial pro‑forms, market studies, and economic impact reports.
Provide proactive and strategic leadership for the planning discipline and function, offering direction, expertise, and support to ensure project and work‑site deliverables are successfully achieved within the business sector.
Oversee the appropriate use of topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS data, and other visualization tools to determine exact locations of project areas, associated physical/urban/economic/political sensitivities, and to uncover primary, secondary, and tertiary impacts.
Lead larger‑scale, more complex land/urban planning projects ensuring contributors know what they are required to do and by when, preparing and overseeing relevant project budgets, monitoring external events, tracking hours and expenses, ensuring profitability and satisfactory performance, and supervising subcontractors, contract work, and employees.
Responsible for the contribution and management of multidisciplinary project teams in all phases of the execution and delivery of siting, impact assessment, and permitting for assigned business‑sector projects, as well as land/urban planning and management projects.
Actively foster compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local Agency laws, policies, and regulatory requirements.
Lead technical aspects of contract negotiation, presentations, and meetings.
Assist with the preparation of an annual update to business tactical action plans within the specified area.
Analyze local, state, and national trends, policies, and/or legislation to determine impact.
Support the overall long‑term strategy, growth, and pipeline development of Land/Urban Planning work for WSP in the assigned area of responsibility, with a focus on opportunities in all disciplines (planning, design, strategic consulting, and program management).
Conduct needs analyses and client value surveys to align the planning discipline’s function with business and project strategy, identifying and addressing any skill gaps or risks within the sector business operations.
Develop a client base for providing high‑level Land/Urban Planning services, including identifying additional business development opportunities, and cross‑selling of other WSP capabilities.
Qualifications Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Public Policy/Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Minimum 12+ years of experience in a regional economic development agency or corporate environment working in business attraction/retention, the land/urban planning field, actively engaging in general plans, specific/master plans, zoning code updates, public involvement, and regulatory compliance for a variety of client projects relating to development, construction, infrastructure, transportation, environment, resiliency, revitalization, and/or adaptation.
Strong working knowledge of relevant zoning laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, job creation/retention, applicable regional / state / federal regulatory framework and the business impact upon the organization.
Demonstrated experience leading by influence.
Experience in leading and winning major strategic pursuits.
Excellent communication skills (presenting and writing).
Organized, self‑starter with a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree.
Essential professional licensure/certification.
CEDS certification.
Benefits WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. Benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; paid time off for bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation Expected Salary (all locations): $147,500 - $272,580. WSP USA reserves the right to adjust pay within the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation not related to protected status.
About WSP WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with clients to help communities prosper. We design lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets.
We provide a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees enjoy a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on health and financial stability throughout the career.
We want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
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Responsibilities Our Senior Economic Development Specialist is responsible for driving top‑line growth as One WSP across the A&P business and in collaboration with our counterparts in Transportation & Infrastructure, Earth & Environment, Property & Buildings, Power & Energy, and Federal markets.
The activities will focus on leading and managing economic development strategies, projects, and developments— including mixed‑use, industrial, commercial, and transit‑oriented development. The role evaluates how infrastructure development can drive growth, produce positive economic impact, and be financed by that growth, in alignment with locally adopted plans and goals.
Lead complex projects that help clients find innovative economic development strategies in areas with limited private sector interest.
Act as the subject matter expert on incentive tools, economic growth policies, real estate development, and infrastructure finance.
Negotiate complex agreements with private businesses and analyze financial pro‑forms, market studies, and economic impact reports.
Provide proactive and strategic leadership for the planning discipline and function, offering direction, expertise, and support to ensure project and work‑site deliverables are successfully achieved within the business sector.
Oversee the appropriate use of topographic maps, aerial photographs, GPS data, and other visualization tools to determine exact locations of project areas, associated physical/urban/economic/political sensitivities, and to uncover primary, secondary, and tertiary impacts.
Lead larger‑scale, more complex land/urban planning projects ensuring contributors know what they are required to do and by when, preparing and overseeing relevant project budgets, monitoring external events, tracking hours and expenses, ensuring profitability and satisfactory performance, and supervising subcontractors, contract work, and employees.
Responsible for the contribution and management of multidisciplinary project teams in all phases of the execution and delivery of siting, impact assessment, and permitting for assigned business‑sector projects, as well as land/urban planning and management projects.
Actively foster compliance with applicable Federal, State, and Local Agency laws, policies, and regulatory requirements.
Lead technical aspects of contract negotiation, presentations, and meetings.
Assist with the preparation of an annual update to business tactical action plans within the specified area.
Analyze local, state, and national trends, policies, and/or legislation to determine impact.
Support the overall long‑term strategy, growth, and pipeline development of Land/Urban Planning work for WSP in the assigned area of responsibility, with a focus on opportunities in all disciplines (planning, design, strategic consulting, and program management).
Conduct needs analyses and client value surveys to align the planning discipline’s function with business and project strategy, identifying and addressing any skill gaps or risks within the sector business operations.
Develop a client base for providing high‑level Land/Urban Planning services, including identifying additional business development opportunities, and cross‑selling of other WSP capabilities.
Qualifications Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, Public Policy/Administration, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
Minimum 12+ years of experience in a regional economic development agency or corporate environment working in business attraction/retention, the land/urban planning field, actively engaging in general plans, specific/master plans, zoning code updates, public involvement, and regulatory compliance for a variety of client projects relating to development, construction, infrastructure, transportation, environment, resiliency, revitalization, and/or adaptation.
Strong working knowledge of relevant zoning laws, permitting requirements, notification and compliance practices, job creation/retention, applicable regional / state / federal regulatory framework and the business impact upon the organization.
Demonstrated experience leading by influence.
Experience in leading and winning major strategic pursuits.
Excellent communication skills (presenting and writing).
Organized, self‑starter with a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree.
Essential professional licensure/certification.
CEDS certification.
Benefits WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. Benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; paid time off for bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
Compensation Expected Salary (all locations): $147,500 - $272,580. WSP USA reserves the right to adjust pay within the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation not related to protected status.
About WSP WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with clients to help communities prosper. We design lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets.
We provide a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees enjoy a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on health and financial stability throughout the career.
We want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
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