Principal Ecologist

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is working with a growing environmental consultancy to find a Principal Ecologist for its Kent or Sussex team.

This is a consultancy that takes its work seriously, without taking itself too seriously.

The culture is friendly, sociable and refreshingly laid-back. The office in Sussex where you can visit as and when you can, is dog friendly, the team enjoys spending time together, and wellbeing is genuinely considered in how people work. Even the interview process reflects the culture, with the opportunity to meet informally over a drink in a local pub rather than sitting through an overly corporate interview.

They are currently trialling a four-day working week, with employees working Monday to Thursday at full pay. Flexible hybrid working is also available, giving you a good balance between home, office and field-based work.

The opportunity

This could suit an experienced Senior Ecologist ready to move into a Principal role, or an established Principal Ecologist looking for a consultancy where they can have influence without moving into an overly corporate environment.

You will provide technical leadership across ecological projects while supporting and mentoring other ecologists. You will have the opportunity to shape how the team develops, build strong client relationships and contribute to the continued growth of the ecology service.

Your work will include:

• Leading ecological surveys and protected species work
• Producing and reviewing EcIAs, ES Chapters, HRAs and technical reports
• Acting as Named Ecologist on EPS mitigation licences where appropriate
• Managing projects and maintaining strong client relationships
• Preparing proposals, tenders and supporting work winning
• Mentoring and developing junior members of the ecology team
• Providing technical guidance and maintaining high professional standards
• Working alongside other environmental disciplines to deliver integrated project outcomes
• Contributing ideas to the future development of the ecology team and wider business

About you

You will have a strong background in ecological consultancy and be comfortable taking responsibility for projects, clients and technical delivery.

Ideally, you will bring:

• Significant UK ecological consultancy experience
• Strong technical knowledge of UK ecology, planning policy and environmental legislation
• Experience producing EcIAs, ES Chapters and HRAs
• Experience with EPS mitigation licences
• Protected species survey licences, ideally including bats
• GIS and Biodiversity Net Gain experience
• Project management and client liaison experience
• Experience mentoring or managing other ecologists
• Full CIEEM membership
• A relevant ecology or environmental degree
• A full UK driving licence

An MSc or PhD would be welcomed but is not essential. Additional protected species licences, botanical expertise or other ecological specialisms would also be valuable.

Why consider it?

There is a strong focus here on creating a working environment where people can perform well without work taking over their lives.

The company is running a four-day working week trial from March to December 2026, with Monday to Thursday working at full pay. This builds on an existing approach to reducing unnecessary out-of-hours work, including the early adoption of night vision technology to remove dawn bat surveys from staff workloads.

You will also receive:

• Salary from £40,000, depending on experience and licences
• Flexible hybrid and remote working
• Two office days per week, with flexibility around home and field working
• Comprehensive private medical healthcare, including mental health, dental, optical and physiotherapy support
• Annual leave above the statutory minimum
• Enhanced company sick pay
• Paid CIEEM membership
• £750 annual professional development budget, with additional funding available for specific training
• High-quality fieldwork equipment
• Company vehicle or mileage support for project travel
• Loyalty bonuses of £2,000 after five years, £4,000 after ten years and £6,000 after fifteen years
• A dog-friendly office
• Regular social opportunities and a genuinely friendly team environment

Most importantly, this is an opportunity to join a business that wants people to enjoy where they work. There is room for humour, personality and a life outside ecology, alongside high professional standards and interesting ecological work.

Interested?

For a confidential conversation about the role, company and team, please contact Vicky Kenrick at Ocean to Earth Recruitment.

Email: vicky@oceantoearth.co.uk

Ocean to Earth Recruitment specialises in environmental and sustainability recruitment across the UK. We take a research-led, candidate-focused approach, looking beyond the job title to understand the team, culture, values and long-term fit behind every opportunity.