Associate Ecologist

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is proud to be partnering with a long-established ecological consultancy that has built a strong reputation supporting residential and mixed-use developments across the Midlands and Home Counties. Traditionally active around Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire, the organisation has seen significant, sustained growth throughout the South East.

As part of this strategic expansion, we are seeking an Associate Ecologist who is ready to lead and develop operations in the South East, acting as the senior ecological presence in the region. This is a pivotal hire with the potential to shape future team growth locally (medium/long term), and you will play a major role in determining what that evolution looks like.

While the role is officially hybrid, candidates living within or near the South East region are particularly encouraged to apply. Travel to the main Oxfordshire office would typically be just a couple of times per month, depending on location.

The Role

This senior-level position will see you delivering and overseeing terrestrial ecological services, guiding project strategy, mentoring junior staff, and contributing to business development across a diverse portfolio. You’ll join an experienced, well-resourced ecology team that collaborates across multiple sectors including housing, retail, employment, energy and infrastructure.

You will hold responsibility for your own clients, manage complex ecological projects, and play a key role in steering the consultancy’s continued expansion in the South East.

What Success Looks Like

• You are an experienced, commercially aware ecologist with strong consultancy or public-sector experience.

• You lead and organise protected species and habitat surveys with confidence and expertise.

• You deliver high-quality technical reporting and provide constructive review and sign-off for others.

• You nurture client relationships, secure new work, and act as a regional figurehead.

• You mentor and motivate colleagues across all levels.

• You thrive in a fast-paced environment and help shape the company’s regional growth strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, design and deliver terrestrial ecological survey programmes.

• Prepare and review high-quality technical reports, providing feedback and coaching.

• Ensure project outputs meet deadlines, budgets and technical standards.

• Manage and mentor junior and senior ecologists.

• Develop new business while strengthening existing client relationships.

• Support senior leadership with strategy, growth and new opportunities.

• Manage complex projects, budgets, timelines and stakeholder engagement.

• Lead on tender preparation, budgeting, programming and scoping.

• Deliver work in line with internal health and safety procedures.

• Undertake any additional tasks reasonably required.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Significant professional experience in ecological consultancy or a related field.

• Relevant degree and/or postgraduate qualification.

• Strong UK botanical and faunal identification skills.

• Extensive experience in Phase 1 Habitat and/or UK Habitat Classification surveys.

• Proven protected species survey experience, plus at least one survey licence.

• Strong understanding of UK wildlife legislation and policy.

• Experience preparing protected species licence applications.

• High-quality report-writing skills, including PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs, BNG assessments, etc.

• Demonstrable project management and staff leadership ability.

• Strong track record of client liaison and relationship building.

• Ability to work under pressure with excellent communication skills.

• Full Membership of CIEEM (or eligible to obtain).

• Willingness to travel nationwide, including occasional overnight stays.

• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Experience in NVC or MoRPh surveys.

• Experience of planning appeals or Public Inquiry evidence.

• GIS and ecological modelling skills.

• CSCS card.

About the Employer

The consultancy you will join is known for integrating ecology, biodiversity and habitat enhancement within new developments. With a well-established office in Oxfordshire and an expanding South East footprint, the team prides itself on technical excellence, innovation and a constructive, supportive working environment.

Their values centre on:

• Integrity—doing the right thing

• Quality—delivering excellence

• People—supporting one another

• Forward thinking—embracing future-focused solutions

• Positivity—maintaining a can-do mindset

• Fairness—championing equality

Interested?

If you’re an experienced ecologist ready to take ownership of a region, influence future team structure and help lead a growing consultancy into its next phase—we’d love to hear from you.