Principal Ecologist

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is working with a fast-growing UK environmental consultancy that is looking to appoint an experienced Principal Ecological Consultant to join its Guildford team. This is an opportunity to play a key leadership role within a highly regarded consultancy delivering a broad range of ecological and environmental services across the UK.

The Opportunity

Our client’s purpose is simple: to enable nature and business to thrive together. Their team delivers high-quality environmental consultancy services to clients across multiple sectors, combining technical excellence with pragmatic, commercially focused solutions.

With offices located throughout the UK, the business provides services including:

• Terrestrial ecology

• Freshwater ecology

• Hydrology

• Arboricultural services

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and mapping

• Environmental Impact Assessments

As Principal Ecological Consultant, you will support the continued growth of the Guildford office while strengthening client relationships and mentoring members of the ecology team.

The Role

This is a leadership role with both technical and commercial responsibilities. You will oversee projects from tender through delivery while supporting and developing a team of ecological consultants.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and mentoring a small team of Senior Ecologists, Ecologists and Assistant Ecologists

• Providing technical leadership, coaching and guidance within the Guildford team

• Preparing competitive tenders and supporting business development activities

• Leading and managing large, complex ecological projects from inception to completion

• Producing and reviewing high-quality technical reports and outputs

• Managing project delivery to ensure deadlines, budgets and quality standards are met

• Undertaking technically challenging work including EPSL applications, EcIA chapters and Habitats Regulations Assessments

• Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and stakeholders

• Supporting survey teams and ensuring high standards of fieldwork

• Maintaining active membership with CIEEM

This role involves a hybrid working pattern, with time split between the Guildford office, home working and site visits.

Candidate Requirements

To be considered for this position, you will ideally have:

• A degree in Ecology or a related discipline

• Significant experience working as a Principal Ecological Consultant or Senior Ecologist ready to step up

• Strong commercial project management and consultancy experience

• Excellent knowledge of UK ecology, legislation and survey techniques

• Advanced field skills in one or more specialist areas

• Protected species licences (desirable)

• Experience producing technical ecological reports and assessments

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to build strong client relationships

• Full UK driving licence and access to a car insured for business use

• The right to work in the UK

Additional skills that would be beneficial include:

• Ornithological expertise

• Botanical skills

• Ability to act as Named Ecologist on bat mitigation licences

However, these are not essential.

Benefits

Our client offers a supportive and collaborative working environment alongside a competitive benefits package, including:

• 25 days annual leave

• Healthcare cash plan

• Enhanced stakeholder pension scheme

• Life insurance

• Discounted gym membership

• Paid professional memberships

• Clothing allowance

• Performance-related rewards

• Long service awards

• Free parking

• Regular social and team events

The company is committed to supporting professional development, offering both industry-accredited external training and internal learning opportunities, alongside the chance to work on high-profile environmental projects across the UK.

Diversity & Inclusion

Our client is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from individuals of all backgrounds. They are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is supported to succeed.

Apply

If you are an experienced ecological consultant looking to step into a leadership role within a growing environmental consultancy, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Apply today or contact Ocean to Earth Recruitment for a confidential discussion about the opportunity.