Associate, Ports Technical Due Diligence

Associate - Ports Technical Due Diligence

United Kingdom

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.

A little more about your role…

WSP is seeking an Associate, Ports Technical Due Diligence to join our Ports & Maritime team in the UK.

This is an opportunity to move beyond traditional engineering and project delivery roles and play a leading part in the technical advice that shapes major port acquisitions, financings, concessions and capital investment decisions.

This is a distinctive opportunity for a technically credible and commercially minded ports professional to work at the interface of engineering, investment and strategic decision-making. You will help investors, lenders, operators and public-sector clients understand the technical opportunities, risks and capital implications associated with major port and terminal assets.

You will support our capability by leading the technical delivery of due diligence, lender technical advisory, asset condition reviews and transaction support assignments. Working with engineers, planners, environmental specialists, cost consultants, operations advisors and commercial colleagues, you will convert complex technical evidence into clear risk positions, capex views and practical recommendations.

You will join at an important stage in the growth of WSP's Ports and Maritime business, helping to expand a market-leading technical due diligence service that combines deep maritime engineering expertise with practical investment insight.

The role combines technical judgement, multidisciplinary coordination, client-facing advisory and commercial awareness. It offers the opportunity to influence strategically important port and terminal investments, help shape a growing WSP advisory service, and develop a distinctive career at the intersection of engineering, asset performance, commercial risk and capital investment.

Key responsibilities…

• Lead ports technical due diligence workstreams for acquisitions, refinancings, concession bids, PPPs and capital investment reviews.
• Assess port and terminal asset condition, including capacity, asset availability, maintenance backlog, lifecycle risk, future capex and expansion constraints.
• Plan and conduct review activities, including site inspections, data room reviews, document gap analyses and technical information request processes.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary inputs from maritime, civil, geotechnical, environmental, planning, buildings, electrical, cost and operational specialists.
• Prepare investor-grade outputs, including red flag reports, technical risk registers, due diligence reports, lender technical advisor reports and investment committee summaries.
• Challenge business plan assumptions relating to throughput capacity, development phasing, asset condition, capex allowances, permitting interfaces and operating constraints.
• Engage with clients and advisors through meetings, investor Q&A, bid interviews, presentations and focused technical workshops.
• Support business development and proposals for due diligence, lender technical advisory, owner’s engineer, technical assurance and capital investment review services.
• Develop repeatable WSP methods, including tools, templates, checklists and review approaches for ports due diligence, asset review and capex benchmarking assignments.
• Promote practical, proportionate advice that balances technical quality, commercial context, programme, cost, risk and client decision-making needs.

As a senior member of the Ports & Maritime team, you will help build a trusted advisory capability that is valued by investors, lenders, operators and public-sector clients, while helping establish WSP as a recognised leader in ports technical due diligence and lender technical advisory services.

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate…

• Significant experience in ports, terminals, maritime infrastructure or heavy civil infrastructure.
• Chartered Engineer status, or equivalent professional standing, with clear evidence of sound technical judgement and professional accountability.
• Relevant advisory or assurance experience in technical due diligence, lender technical advisory, owner’s engineer, asset management, independent engineer, concession support or major port investment reviews.
• Strong understanding of port and terminal infrastructure, including quay walls, berths, marine structures, pavements, dredging, reclamation, utilities, drainage, access infrastructure and terminal yards.
• Proven ability to lead technical inputs and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams in time-sensitive review or advisory environments.
• Excellent report writing capability with the ability to produce concise, risk-based outputs for non-technical senior stakeholders.
• Commercial awareness and curiosity about how asset condition, capacity, lifecycle risk, resilience and capex affect value, deliverability and investment decisions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills with confidence contributing to client meetings, presentations and technical Q&A.

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.

Job Info

Job Identification 95543

Posting Date 10/01/2026, 07:44 AM

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.