Senior Ecologist

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is proud to be supporting a well-established, independent ecological consultancy based in Leatherhead, Surrey. Known for their friendly, supportive, and collaborative workplace, as well as the high-quality services they deliver to clients, this consultancy is now seeking a Senior Ecologist to join their growing team.

The successful candidate will play a key role in managing a varied and exciting portfolio of projects, ranging from development schemes through to work with statutory bodies and biodiversity offsetting providers.

The Role

As Senior Ecologist, you will:

• Manage projects from inception to completion, maintaining strong client relationships.

• Undertake habitat and protected species surveys.

• Support and mentor junior colleagues.

• Contribute botanical expertise to biodiversity net gain and condition assessment work.

• Enjoy a varied workload without being tied to one specialism.

This role offers a healthy balance of field and office-based work, predominantly across the southeast of England, with the occasional opportunity to work further afield on particularly interesting projects. Administrative burdens are kept light, with no timesheets or restrictive management systems—giving you the freedom to focus on delivering high-quality ecological work.

Candidate Requirements

Essential:

• 4–5 years’ experience in ecological consultancy.

• Strong background in producing preliminary ecological appraisals.

• Experience with protected species surveys and mitigation.

• Proven project management and client liaison skills.

• A collaborative, positive team player.

• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable:

• Strong botanical knowledge (FISC level 4 desirable).

• Experience with biodiversity net gain and habitat condition assessments.

• Protected species licence application experience.

• Knowledge of EcIAs, EIAs, and/or HRAs.

• Proficiency in QGIS or similar software.

• CIEEM membership.

• Existing survey licences.

Benefits

This consultancy offers a supportive environment with an excellent work–life balance and a competitive package, including:

• Salary from £34,500+ per annum (dependent on experience).

• Reduced working week: 4-day week in January, 4.5-day weeks in Nov–Dec & Feb–Mar.

• Flexible working, with home-working options.

• Discretionary Christmas bonus.

• Assigned work vehicle.

• Paid professional membership.

• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.

• 5 days external training allowance.

• Social events and team activities.

• Pension scheme and additional benefits.