Ecology & Biodiversity Senior Consultant

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is partnering with an award-winning, independent sustainability consultancy to recruit a Senior Ecology & Biodiversity Consultant for its London Nature team.

What makes the business distinctive is its breadth. Ecology does not operate in isolation. The wider consultancy brings together specialists across nature, net zero, climate resilience, circularity and social value, allowing teams to approach sustainability from multiple perspectives and collaborate on the creation of more resilient places.

The Opportunity

At Senior Consultant level, you will have genuine ownership.

You will lead ecology and biodiversity projects from inception through to completion, provide technical expertise on larger schemes, manage client relationships and support the development of more junior ecologists.

The team's philosophy around biodiversity is important. The aim is not simply to protect nature sufficiently to achieve planning consent. They want their work to actively enhance biodiversity through development and land management, going beyond minimum policy and legislative requirements.

This makes the position well suited to an ecologist who wants to influence how projects are delivered, rather than simply producing the ecological assessment at one stage of the process.

What You'll Be Doing

Your role will combine technical delivery, project management and team development, including:

• Leading ecology and biodiversity projects associated with planning and development.
• Independently producing and technically reviewing PEAs, Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments, BREEAM Ecology Credit Assessments and protected species reports.
• Undertaking BNG calculations using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.
• Leading UKHab, PEA and bat surveys across straightforward to moderately complex sites.
• Using QGIS to undertake biodiversity mapping and support BNG assessments.
• Providing technical QA and guidance to colleagues.
• Line managing Consultant and/or Graduate Ecologists.
• Training and mentoring junior members of the Nature team.
• Attending client and project meetings.
• Working directly with clients, consultants and other stakeholders.
• Supporting proposals and contributing to the commercial delivery of projects.
• Working alongside specialists from across the wider sustainability consultancy on multidisciplinary projects.

The Technical Experience We're Looking For

You should already have a strong grounding in ecological consultancy and be comfortable delivering work independently.

In particular, we are looking for someone who can undertake PEAs on moderately complex sites, design and lead bat and other protected species surveys, and confidently translate ecological field data into technical advice and reporting.

You should also have good working knowledge of:

• Biodiversity Net Gain and the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.
• QGIS and producing habitat and survey mapping independently.
• COREO or similar approaches to field habitat mapping.
• UKHab classifications.
• Bat survey design and delivery.
• Bat identification in the field and through call analysis.
• Other protected species survey design and delivery.
• BREEAM Ecology Credit Assessments.
• Botany, ideally around FISC Level 3 capability.
• At least one further area of ecological expertise, such as EcIA or HRA.

Beyond Traditional Ecology

One of the more interesting aspects of this Senior position is the opportunity to look at nature through a broader sustainability lens.

An understanding of ecosystem services and natural capital is specifically valued, complementing the team's work across biodiversity and sustainable development.

You will ideally hold a relevant degree in ecology, biology, environmental science or similar, with an MSc desirable. Full CIEEM membership is sought, and you may also hold one or more protected species survey licences.

Just as importantly, you should be comfortable making decisions, managing projects and clients, producing high-quality written work and supporting less experienced colleagues.

Why Join?

This is a good fit for someone who wants the technical substance of an ecology consultancy, but with exposure to a much wider sustainability environment.

The company has built its business around sustainability rather than treating it as an additional service line. Its teams work across different disciplines with a shared focus on helping clients respond meaningfully to environmental challenges.

There is also scope to influence more than your immediate projects. Senior consultants can contribute to professional body working groups and industry initiatives, alongside mentoring and developing colleagues internally.

If you enjoy technical ecology but also want leadership, collaboration and the opportunity to influence better outcomes for nature, this offers an interesting next step.

Package & Benefits

The consultancy offers:

• Competitive salary.
• Discretionary bonus potential.
• 23 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Enhanced pension contributions.
• Hybrid working.
• The opportunity to work from abroad for a set period each year.
• Training and professional development.
• Enhanced family policies.
• Two volunteering days each year.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health and wellbeing services, including 24-hour GP appointments.
• Gym, shopping and leisure benefits.
• Opportunities to contribute to industry best practice and professional initiatives.
• Regular team socials.

Interested?

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is managing applications for this position.

If you are looking for a Senior Ecology role where you can lead projects, develop others and work at the intersection of biodiversity and wider sustainability, we'd be very happy to speak with you.

Send your CV to vicky@oceantoearth.co.uk