Principal Consultant – Ecology / Biodiversity

An established sustainability and environmental consultancy is seeking an experienced Principal Consultant – Ecology / Biodiversity to join its growing nature team. This is a senior role for a motivated ecologist looking to lead high-impact projects that deliver positive outcomes for biodiversity while supporting client needs and commercial objectives.

You’ll work on a wide range of ecology and biodiversity projects, contribute technical expertise to large-scale developments, and play a key role in mentoring and developing junior colleagues.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver high-impact ecology and biodiversity projects from inception to completion

• Manage moderate to complex projects, meeting programme, quality and fee targets

• Deliver and review technical ecology reports, including PEAs, Biodiversity Net Gain assessments, BREEAM Ecology reports and protected species assessments

• Undertake and review BNG calculations using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric

• Use QGIS to produce habitat and survey maps and biodiversity net gain mapping

• Lead and undertake field surveys (including UKHab/PEA and bat surveys)

• Provide technical QA and oversight on complex EcIAs, HRAs and non-standard assessments

• Line manage and mentor junior and senior consultants

• Engage with clients, stakeholders and project teams, building strong working relationships

• Contribute to business development, proposals and the growth of the ecology service line

Skills & Experience

You will have a strong technical grounding in ecology and biodiversity, with experience operating at senior or principal level. You should be confident working independently on complex projects and providing technical leadership to others.

Essential experience includes:

• Producing high-quality habitat and survey maps using QGIS

• Undertaking Preliminary Ecological Appraisals independently

• Delivering Biodiversity Net Gain assessments using GIS and the Statutory Metric

• Designing and leading moderate-complexity bat surveys

• Identifying common bat species using call analysis software

• Botanical survey skills, including UKHab classification (to FISC Level 4 for simple sites)

• Producing BREEAM Ecology Credit Reports for simple to moderate schemes

• Experience with at least two other protected species (survey, reporting and licensing)

• Independently managing HRAs and EcIAs for complex projects

Qualifications & Professional Memberships

• Degree in ecology, biology, environmental science or a related discipline (MSc desirable)

• Protected species licence(s), or experience preparing licence documentation

• Full CIEEM membership, or working towards full membership/chartership

Personal Attributes

• Highly organised, motivated and proactive

• Confident decision-maker with strong problem-solving skills

• Excellent report-writing and communication skills

• Strong project, client and stakeholder management capability

• Enthusiastic about nature conservation and biodiversity enhancement

• Good IT skills, including spreadsheets, word processing and project management tools

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary with discretionary bonus potential

• 23 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays

• Enhanced pension contributions

• Structured training and career development support

• Hybrid working, with flexibility and the option to work abroad for a set period each year

• Enhanced family policies

• Two paid volunteering days per year

• A range of wellbeing benefits, discounts and social activities