Senior Ecological Consultant

East Anglia | Hybrid Working

The Opportunity

If you're an experienced ecologist who enjoys delivering quality work but is looking for greater ownership, broader project exposure or the chance to develop your leadership skills, this could be a natural next step.

You'll join a well-established environmental consultancy with an excellent reputation for delivering ecological advice across a diverse range of projects throughout the UK. Whether your motivation is progressing towards technical leadership, mentoring others or working on larger and more complex developments, you'll have the support and flexibility to shape your career.

This is an opportunity to become part of a collaborative team where technical excellence, professional development and work-life balance are genuinely valued.

The Company

Our client is one of the UK's leading independent environmental consultancies, providing ecological and environmental expertise across planning, infrastructure, utilities, conservation and development projects.

With multidisciplinary teams working across ecology, freshwater ecology, arboriculture, GIS, hydrology and environmental assessment, collaboration sits at the heart of how they deliver projects. Their culture is friendly, supportive and down-to-earth, encouraging people to share knowledge, develop their specialisms and build long-term careers.

The business continues to invest heavily in training, innovation and technical excellence, creating opportunities for experienced ecologists to broaden their experience while contributing to nationally significant projects.

What You'll Be Doing

You'll take ownership of a varied portfolio of ecological projects from proposal through to delivery, combining technical expertise with client-facing responsibilities.

Your work will include:

• Managing complex ecological projects from inception to completion.

• Preparing and reviewing Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs) and European Protected Species licence applications.

• Building trusted relationships with clients and acting as a technical adviser throughout projects.

• Supporting and mentoring junior ecologists, helping maintain high standards of survey work and reporting.

• Contributing to tenders, project planning and commercial delivery.

• Developing your own technical specialisms while progressing towards greater leadership responsibilities.

There is also the opportunity to gradually take on line management responsibilities during your first year if this aligns with your career ambitions.

About You

You'll already have several years' consultancy experience and be confident managing projects and delivering high-quality ecological advice.

You're likely to have:

• A degree in Ecology or a related environmental discipline.

• Strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, survey methodologies and planning policy.

• One or more protected species survey or mitigation licences.

• Experience producing technical reports, including EcIAs and protected species licence applications.

• Membership of CIEEM.

• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business travel.

Additional expertise in ornithology, botany or mitigation licensing would be welcomed but isn't essential.

Most importantly, you'll enjoy working collaboratively, building client relationships and helping others develop alongside your own career.

What's on Offer

Alongside a competitive salary from £34,000, depending on experience, you'll benefit from a comprehensive package including:

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

• Enhanced pension scheme.

• Healthcare cash plan and life assurance.

• Paid professional memberships.

• Ongoing CPD, specialist technical training and clear career progression.

• Opportunities to work on high-profile, nationally important projects.

• Gym membership discounts, clothing allowance and employee recognition awards.

• A supportive, friendly culture with regular social events and genuine investment in your professional development.

Location & Flexibility

This role is based in East Anglia, with hybrid working available and flexibility around office and site attendance. You'll need to be willing to travel to project sites as required across the region.

Interested?

If you're curious about where your ecology career could take you next, we'd be delighted to tell you more.

Whether you're actively exploring opportunities or simply open to an informal conversation, please get in touch in confidence. We'd be happy to answer any questions and help you decide whether this could be the right move for you.