About the Company
A well‑established UK environmental consultancy is expanding its Scottish ecology team and is seeking a Principal Ecological Consultant to take a leading role across a diverse and growing project portfolio. This is an opportunity to shape ecological input on major renewable energy and grid infrastructure schemes while contributing to some of Scotland’s most forward‑thinking landscape‑scale restoration initiatives.
About the Role
Lead and oversee ecological surveys and field programmes across a wide range of habitats.
Responsibilities
* Manage complex, multi‑disciplinary projects and act as a primary client contact
* Provide senior technical review of ecological reports, assessments and deliverables
* Mentor and support junior and mid‑level ecologists
* Prepare tenders, fee proposals and contribute to business development
* Collaborate closely with specialists in ecology, arboriculture, agri‑environment, landscape, planning, heritage, GIS and visualisation
Project Portfolio
* Extensive involvement in onshore renewable energy generation - predominantly wind, but also hydrogen, battery storage and solar - with a steady pipeline of large, complex sites
* Long‑standing support to Scotland’s electricity transmission and distribution networks, working across the full grid area with multiple operators
* Community infrastructure projects such as hospitals, schools, community facilities and defence‑estate modernisation
* Climate‑mitigation schemes including flood‑defence and resilience projects
* Strategic ecology and landscape‑scale restoration, partnering with national parks, local authorities, private estates, major landowners and environmental NGOs
* Biodiversity restoration programmes with long‑term clients in the conservation and rewilding space, plus emerging work with progressive land‑management organisations
* Ecological input to Local Authority development planning, including LNCS reviews and related evidence‑base studies
Working Arrangements
* Edinburgh or Glasgow office
* Hybrid working: minimum two days per week in the office
* Full‑time (37.5 hours) with flexible options
Pay range
£40,000–£47,000
Benefits
* Employee‑ownership profit share (up to £3.6k annually, tax‑free)
* Life assurance at 4× salary
* 25 days’ holiday plus public holidays (with buy/sell options)
* Group Income Protection
* Paid volunteering day
Qualifications
* Strong understanding of UK wildlife, survey methods and ecological principles
* Solid knowledge of UK conservation legislation and Scottish planning systems
* Experience delivering and reviewing PEA, protected species and EcIA reports
* Confident client engagement and project management skills
* Full UK driving licence
* Willingness to travel and occasionally work outside standard hours
* Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK.
Equal Opportunity Statement
We are committed to diversity and inclusivity in our hiring practices.