Principal Ecologist

This is an opportunity to work differently from a traditional large consultancy environment.

You will join a business built around long-term client relationships and a relatively small portfolio of significant projects across the UK and Ireland. Landscape and ecology sit at the heart of these projects, rather than being considered later in the process, giving you the opportunity to genuinely influence how schemes are designed and delivered.

The consultancy provides landscape architecture, ecology and strategic management services, working closely with clients as an extension of their internal teams. Its portfolio includes large-scale, landscape-led projects of regional and national significance.

There is also something particularly different about this ecology team. The business has its own conservation detection dog service, and you will collaborate closely with the service lead and trained dog team as part of its developing ecological capability.

The opportunity

As Principal Ecologist, you will take a senior position within the ecology team, helping to lead project delivery while contributing to the continued development of the service.

You will work across ecologically complex, large-scale projects where ecology and landscape objectives directly influence project design, planning and implementation.

The business is looking for someone who enjoys thinking beyond standard approaches. You will have the opportunity to keep the team at the forefront of ecological practice, identify opportunities to improve services and help develop approaches that reflect, and where possible contribute towards, national best practice.

This is a hands-on senior position. Alongside technical and strategic work, you will maintain close relationships with clients, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and spend time on project sites across the UK.

What you’ll be doing

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and coordinating ecology services across projects throughout the UK and Ireland
• Providing commercially considered ecological advice and leadership
• Building on established client relationships and identifying opportunities for further growth
• Leading the preparation of technical reports, publications, advice and client briefings across a broad range of ecological matters
• Ensuring projects remain compliant with relevant ecological legislation, standards and best practice
• Horizon scanning for changes within the sector and identifying opportunities to strengthen and develop the ecology service
• Working closely with landscape architects and other disciplines to deliver integrated, proportionate environmental advice
• Supporting and developing colleagues within the ecology team and wider business
• Collaborating with the conservation detection dog service lead and trained dog team
• Contributing to both planning-stage and delivery-stage projects

About you

You will already have established professional ecology experience and be comfortable taking responsibility for complex projects, clients and technical delivery.

You will ideally bring:

• A degree or relevant qualification in ecology or a related discipline
• Five or more years of professional ecology experience
• A strong track record of delivering complex ecological projects
• One or more protected species licences
• Strong technical report writing and communication skills
• Confidence working directly with clients and multidisciplinary teams
• The ability to balance ecological objectives with practical and commercial project requirements
• An adaptable and collaborative approach
• The ability to manage competing priorities across several projects
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites

A relevant postgraduate qualification would be advantageous but is not essential.

Why consider this opportunity?

This role could particularly suit an experienced Senior or Principal Ecologist who wants greater influence over how ecological services are delivered.

Rather than moving into a position dominated by internal management, you will remain close to the technical work, clients and projects while helping shape the future direction of the ecology service.

You will have exposure to significant, long-term projects, close collaboration with landscape professionals and the opportunity to work alongside a specialist conservation detection dog team.

For someone who enjoys complex ecology, strong client relationships and having the space to influence how a service develops, there is plenty here to build on.

Salary: Up to £60,000 depending on experience.

Interested?

Please send your CV to vicky@oceantoearth.co.uk for a confidential conversation.

You do not need to meet every point above. If the direction of the role feels right but you are unsure whether your experience is quite at Principal level, Ocean to Earth Recruitment would still be very happy to hear from you.