Principal Ecologist

At Ocean to Earth Recruitment, our purpose is to enable nature and business to thrive together. Guided by our values of Respect, Integrity and Growth, we are proud to be supporting an established environmental consultancy in the search for a Principal Ecologist to join their Birmingham team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ecologist looking to take on a visible leadership role within a growing multidisciplinary consultancy. You will work alongside ecology, landscape and arboricultural specialists on a broad range of impactful projects across the UK, while helping shape the future direction of the ecology offering.

The business has built a strong reputation for creating a supportive, people-focused culture where collaboration, flexibility and professional development are genuinely prioritised. Alongside technically challenging projects, the team benefits from a 4-day working week while receiving full-time pay, offering more time outside of work without compromising career progression.

The Role

As Principal Ecologist, you will play a key role in leading project delivery, mentoring ecologists across the team, developing client relationships and contributing to wider business growth.

You will be involved in:

• Acting as Project Director on large and complex ecological projects
• Leading multidisciplinary project teams across a varied project portfolio
• Managing client relationships and supporting project delivery from inception through to completion
• Delivering and overseeing:
  • Preliminary Ecological Appraisals
  • Ecological Impact Assessments
  • Habitats Regulations Assessments
  • Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments
  • Protected species surveys, licensing and mitigation strategies
• Reviewing and quality assuring technical reports and ecological deliverables
• Mentoring and developing junior and mid-level ecologists
• Supporting business development activities and securing new work opportunities
• Collaborating closely with landscape, arboriculture and wider environmental teams

This role would suit someone who enjoys combining technical leadership with client-facing project management and team development responsibilities.

About You

You will ideally have:

• A degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biological Sciences or a related discipline
• Full membership of CIEEM, with Chartership or progress towards Chartership desirable
• Strong knowledge of UK ecological legislation and planning policy
• Advanced ecological survey and assessment experience, including UKHab classification
• Experience managing complex projects and multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent report writing and technical review skills
• Strong stakeholder communication and client relationship management experience
• Experience mentoring and supporting the development of others
• Commercial awareness and experience contributing to business development
• One or more protected species licences, desirable
• A full UK driving licence

Why Apply?

• 4-day working week with full-time salary
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Opportunity to influence and shape a growing ecology team
• Collaborative multidisciplinary environment
• Strong focus on employee wellbeing and culture
• Varied and meaningful project portfolio
• Genuine career progression opportunities
• Supportive and values-led working environment

Salary & Location

• Salary: £48,450 to £52,040 depending on experience
• Location: Birmingham
• Hybrid working, typically including 2 days per week in the office or on-site

If you would like to find out more about this opportunity, we would love to hear from you.