Principal Ecologist

The Opportunity

If you're an experienced ecologist looking for the next step in your career, this could be an opportunity to combine technical excellence with genuine influence.

Whether you're already operating at Principal level or ready to step into a more senior position, you'll have the chance to lead interesting, environmentally significant projects while helping shape the growth of an ambitious ecology team across the North of England.

This is a role for someone who enjoys balancing technical delivery with mentoring others, building lasting client relationships and working alongside talented professionals from a wide range of environmental disciplines. You'll have the autonomy to make decisions, contribute to strategic growth and play a visible role in the continued success of a respected multidisciplinary consultancy.

The Company

You'll be joining a well-established, employee-focused environmental consultancy with an excellent reputation for delivering planning, environmental and design services across the UK.

Working across sectors including renewable energy, infrastructure, residential development, historic estates and commercial projects, the business is involved in some of the country's most significant development projects, including major solar and battery storage schemes.

Collaboration sits at the heart of the organisation. Ecologists work closely with planners, landscape architects, arboriculturists, GIS specialists, environmental planners and engineers, creating genuinely integrated solutions that deliver positive outcomes for both clients and the environment.

As the business continues to grow, there is a real commitment to investing in its people through professional development, flexible working and clear opportunities for career progression.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll take a leading role in delivering ecological consultancy projects from initial advice through to completion, providing both technical expertise and project leadership.

Your work will include:

• Leading Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) projects across a diverse portfolio.
• Managing projects, programmes and budgets while maintaining high technical standards.
• Providing technical review and quality assurance for reports and assessments.
• Supporting and mentoring ecologists at different stages of their careers.
• Developing strong, long-term relationships with clients and project teams.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues across planning, landscape, engineering and environmental disciplines.
• Contributing to business development through client engagement, tenders and proposals.
• Helping to grow and strengthen the ecology team across the North of England.

About You

You're an experienced ecological consultant who enjoys combining technical expertise with leadership and collaboration.

You'll bring a strong understanding of UK ecology and planning, together with experience of delivering complex consultancy projects and supporting clients through the development process.

You'll likely have experience in EcIA, HRA and Biodiversity Net Gain, alongside excellent report writing, project management and communication skills. You may already be mentoring colleagues or managing small teams and be looking for an opportunity where you can have a greater influence on the direction and growth of an ecology team.

Membership of CIEEM is expected, and protected species licences or experience of major infrastructure and NSIP projects would be welcomed but are by no means essential.

What's on Offer

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative consultancy that genuinely invests in its people.

Alongside a varied and rewarding workload, you'll benefit from:

• Flexible and hybrid working.
• The opportunity to work on nationally significant renewable energy, infrastructure and residential projects.
• A clear career progression framework with regular promotion opportunities.
• Protected CPD time and ongoing technical development.
• Professional membership subscriptions.
• Enhanced annual leave, with additional loyalty leave as your service grows.
• Enhanced pension contributions and life assurance.
• Private medical insurance and healthcare cash plan.
• Employee Assistance Programme providing financial, wellbeing and mental health support.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Gym membership discounts and a wide range of lifestyle benefits and employee discounts.

Location & Flexibility

The preferred base for this role is York, although applications are welcomed from experienced ecologists based in Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh.

Hybrid working is fully supported, with flexibility around both working patterns and location. Full-time and part-time applications will both be considered. Some travel between offices and project sites will form part of the role.

Interested?

If you're curious about where your career could take you next, we'd love to have an informal conversation.

Whether you're actively exploring new opportunities or simply interested in hearing about a role that offers greater influence, interesting projects and the chance to help shape a growing ecology team, please get in touch in confidence.