Principal Ecologist
Meet Our Recruiter
About the Role
The Opportunity
Ocean to Earth Recruitment is supporting a large and growing environmental consultancy looking to appoint a Principal Ecologist to strengthen its presence in Newcastle.
This is a particularly good opportunity if you enjoy the technical and people-focused side of consultancy. You will work closely with and support an existing Consultant Ecologist, providing guidance around reporting, project delivery and professional development, while helping to build a stronger ecology team around them.
There is genuine scope to influence how the Newcastle ecology team develops. You will have autonomy in your role, support from an established wider consultancy and the opportunity to contribute to future recruitment, client development and growth across the region.
The position offers flexible hybrid and remote working, with the emphasis on delivering good work rather than unnecessary office attendance.
The Role
As Principal Ecologist, you will take a lead role across projects while helping to develop the capability of the growing team.
Your responsibilities are likely to include:
- Providing technical leadership and ecological advice across a varied project portfolio
- Reviewing and producing high-quality ecological reports, assessments and technical documentation
- Supporting and mentoring a Consultant Ecologist, particularly with reporting and technical development
- Managing projects from initial client discussions through to delivery
- Providing technical review and quality assurance
- Advising clients and project teams on ecological constraints, opportunities and appropriate mitigation
- Supporting the continued development and expansion of the Newcastle ecology team
- Helping to identify future recruitment and resource requirements
- Building positive, long-term relationships with clients
- Contributing to fee proposals, tenders and project planning
- Supporting business development and work winning where appropriate
- Working collaboratively with ecology colleagues and other environmental specialists across the wider business
There is flexibility to shape the position around your strengths. Business development experience would be welcomed, particularly if you enjoy developing client relationships and bringing new work into a team, but you will also have the opportunity to remain closely involved in technical ecology.
About You
You will already have good experience within ecological consultancy and be comfortable operating at Principal level, or you may be an experienced Senior Ecologist ready to take on greater responsibility.
Ideally, you will bring:
- Strong ecological consultancy experience
- Excellent technical reporting and report review skills
- Experience managing ecological projects and client relationships
- A good understanding of UK ecology legislation, planning and best practice
- Experience supporting, mentoring or developing more junior ecologists
- Confidence working independently and making technical decisions
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- A relevant ecology or environmental degree
- CIEEM membership, or eligibility for an appropriate level of membership
Experience in business development, tendering, fee proposals or work winning would be desirable, particularly if you would like to play an active role in growing the Newcastle team.
Protected species licences, specialist ecological expertise or experience across areas such as EcIA, BNG or ecological mitigation would also be valuable.
The Company
You will be joining an established and growing ecology and environmental consultancy with the resources and project opportunities of a larger organisation, while retaining the opportunity to make a visible contribution to the development of the Newcastle team.
The business is investing in its ecology capability and is looking for someone who wants more than simply a project delivery position. You will be trusted to use your experience, support colleagues and help create a strong and sustainable team in the North East.
It could be an excellent long-term fit if you value autonomy, flexibility and the opportunity to have a genuine influence on how a team develops.
Location & Flexibility
Newcastle and the wider North East.
Flexible hybrid and remote working is available, with travel for project, client and team requirements where needed.
What’s on Offer
- Principal-level position with genuine autonomy
- Opportunity to help grow and shape a Newcastle ecology team
- Flexible hybrid and remote working
- Technical leadership and mentoring responsibilities
- Varied ecological consultancy projects
- Scope to contribute to business development and work winning
- Support and resources from a larger, established consultancy
- Clear opportunity to build your profile and progress as the team expands
- Competitive salary and wider benefits package
If you are an experienced ecologist looking for greater autonomy, the opportunity to mentor others and a meaningful role in developing a growing ecology team in Newcastle, we would be very happy to have a confidential conversation.