Principal Ecologist / Associate Director

We are looking for an ambitious, experienced, and knowledgeable individual to play a key role in the management, leadership and development of our ecology team, working on a wide range of project types.

The position could be anywhere from Principal Ecologist to Associate Director level and would ideally be based in our London office, to develop an ecology team there, in addition to working with our wider ecology team. However, it could also be based in our Bedford or Woodbridge offices, with occasional travel to London.

We are looking for someone to play a key role in mentoring / leading a team which typically carries out work such as:

• Preliminary Ecological Appraisals / Ecological Impact Assessment / EIA chapters


• Protected species survey, assessment and translocations


• Bat mitigation licencing


• Biodiversity Net Gain Calculations


Projects range from residential (one dwelling to 1000+ dwellings), schools, universities and care homes, to renewable energy, commercial, and agricultural development, with no two days being the same. Sites are located throughout the UK, although the focus is mainly on the Midlands and South-East. Environmentally sustainable practices and solutions are promoted, both within day-to-day work and project outputs.

We would expect that you will be able to demonstrate that you can carry out the team's typical work to a good standard and that you have an ability to manage and mentor staff to do the same. Other requirements include:

• Relevant degree and Full Member of CIEEM


• A good understanding of all levels of the planning system


• Ability to work efficiently and diligently to reasonable deadlines


• Good organizational and management skills


• Good written skills, with attention to detail, experience of preparing technical reports and ability to present and communicate findings in a clear and concise manner


• Survey and mitigation licences held (bats mitigation licencing preferred)


• FISC level 3 minimum


• A strong communicator with good interpersonal and negotiating skills, to enable effective working with multi-disciplinary external and in-house teams and an ability to liaise with clients and stakeholders at a professional level


• An ability to provide clients within an ecologically sound scheme


• Full UK-valid driving license and availability of a car


• Right to work in the UK


Beneficial:

• Examination in Public or Public Inquiry experience


• Experience in business development


We offer the opportunity to join a friendly and committed team of multi-discipline professionals and a supportive and collaborative working environment. Benefits include a voluntary workplace pension, 'Cyclescheme', a starting allowance of 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), payment of professional membership and a programme of CPD.

We are currently operating a hybrid working system, with a minimum of three days in the office and the remainder potentially available, by agreement, for working from home.

We are ideally looking for a full-time person, but we would consider part-time applicants (min 4 days). We are currently operating a hybrid working system with a minimum of three days in the office and the remainder potentially available, by agreement, for working from home.