Senior or Principal Ecological Consultant & Team Lead

Ocean to Earth Recruitment is partnering with a well-established, fast-growing environmental consultancy to recruit a Senior or Principal Ecological Consultant & Team Lead for their Ipswich office.

This is a leadership opportunity for an experienced ecologist who enjoys combining technical excellence, people management, and client-facing work within a multidisciplinary consultancy environment.

The Opportunity

You’ll play a key role in strengthening and expanding the local ecology team, supporting a broad client base across infrastructure, development, and conservation-led projects. Alongside leading complex projects, you’ll mentor and manage a team of ecologists while contributing to business growth and long-term team success.

This role suits someone ready to step into (or continue in) a leadership position while remaining hands-on with technically challenging ecological work.

Key Responsibilities

• Line management of a small team including Senior Ecologists, Ecologists, and Assistant Ecologists

• Technical leadership and mentoring across a range of ecological disciplines

• Leading and managing large, complex ecological projects from tender through delivery

• Preparing and overseeing technically robust outputs, including:

  • Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA)

  • EPS licence applications

  • Habitat Regulations Assessments

• Managing project budgets, timelines, and resourcing effectively

• Supporting tender preparation and contributing to winning new work

• Building and maintaining strong client relationships

• Ensuring high standards of survey design, delivery, and reporting

• Supporting team development, appraisals, training, and career progression

• Promoting a strong health & safety culture

About You

You’ll be an experienced ecologist with strong technical credentials and proven leadership capability.

Essential:

• Degree in Ecology or a related subject (or equivalent experience)

• Strong working knowledge of UK ecological legislation and survey methodologies

• Advanced field skills in at least one specialist area

• Experience leading projects and managing clients

• Line management or mentoring experience

• Holder of one or more protected species licences (or demonstrable progress toward them)

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

• Right to work in the UK

• Active membership of CIEEM (or working toward it)

Desirable (but not essential):

• Ornithological expertise

• Botanical survey experience

• Bat mitigation licence

What’s On Offer

• Competitive salary from £40,000 (dependent on experience)

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

• Healthcare cash plan

• Enhanced pension scheme

• Life insurance

• Paid professional memberships

• Training and career development support

• Clothing allowance

• Performance-related rewards and long-service awards

• Discounted gym membership

• Free parking

• Regular team and company social events

You’ll also benefit from working within a consultancy that genuinely invests in its people, supports flexible working, and encourages collaboration across disciplines on high-profile and meaningful projects.