Your Newpany
You will be joining an established, independent environmental consultancy with around 80–90 staff across five UK offices. Despite having multiple disciplines in-house—including heritage, landscape, masterplanning and urban design—the business maintains a genuinely small‑team culture, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, independence and high‑quality ecological input.
The coastal South‑East office is home to a friendly team of 10–12 ecologists, supported by expertise across the wider business. Known locally for delivering clear, pragmatic, proportionate advice, the team works on a diverse mix of planning‑led projects with long‑standing clients throughout Sussex, Surrey, Kent and parts of London.
Thepany has grown organically over more than 20 years and ismitted to remaining independent. Several senior staff have been with the business for over a decade, contributing to strong continuity, supportive mentoring and genuine career progression opportunities.
Your New Role
As a Senior or Principal Ecologist, you will take a lead role in delivering, coordinating and shaping ecological work across a broad project portfolio. You will influence project strategy, mentor junior colleagues, and play a key part in maintaining the team’s strong technical reputation.
Your responsibilities will include:
Technical & Project Leadership:
1. Leading and overseeing ecological inputs across all project stages, providing strategic and proportionate direction.
2. Preparing, reviewing and signing off PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs, BNG assessments, habitat assessments and mitigation strategies.
3. Designing and overseeing protected species survey programmes, ensuring delivery quality and legislativepliance.
4. Leading or supporting EPS licence applications and associated mitigation.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement:
5. Acting as a key technical contact for clients, planning officers, and design teams.
6. Advising on ecological risks, opportunities and solutions at concept, design and planning stages.
7. Supporting proposals, fee quotes and wider business development activity.
Team Leadership & Mentoring:
8. Line managing or mentoring junior and consultant‑level ecologists.
9. Contributing to internal training, quality assurance and knowledge sharing.
10. Helping shape and strengthen team capability as the ecology function continues to grow.
Project Portfolio:
You will work across a varied mix of schemes, including:
11. Residential housing from 30–100 units to major 1,000–2,000 unit urban extensions
12. Strategic land promotion projects
13. Local authority work, including Brighton & Hove reserve sites
14. Heritage‑led projects (in collaboration with teams in other offices)
15. Habitat banking, biodiversity enhancement & long‑term monitoring
16. Limited infrastructure work (some pipeline work; minimal road/rail, no HS2)
You’ll also contribute to the rollout of upgraded GIS workflows and digital data collection, supported by a specialist GIS consultant.
Travel: regional fieldwork across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and parts of London (generally within ~2 hours).
What You’ll Need to Succeed
Essential
17. Degree in ecology/biology (1st or 2:1 preferred).
18. Strong consultancy experience at a high Consultant, Senior or Principal level.
19. Proficient in designing, leading and quality‑checking ecological surveys and reports.
20. Strong understanding of wildlife legislation, planning policy and mitigation licensing.
21. Experience preparing or contributing significantly to EcIAs, BNG assessments and planning‑level ecological deliverables.
22. Excellent project management/coordination and client lialson skills.
23. Confidentmunicator able to provide clear, proportionate advice to clients and stakeholders.
24. Strong organisational skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects.
25. Experience mentoring or managing junior team members.
26. Full UK driving licence and own vehicle.
27. Full CIEEM membership or working towards.
Desirable
28. Protected species survey licences (, bats, dormouse).
29. EPS licensing experience (leading or supporting).
30. Strong specialism (, ornithology or botany) or wide generalist skillls.
31. River Condition Assessor accreditation (or interest in gaining it).
32. Experience with strategic planning, land promotion orplex multi‑phase developments.
What You’ll Get in Return
You’ll be part of a supportive, sociable and well‑respected consultancy with a genuinemitment to staff wellbeing and development. In return, you can expect:
33. Permanent, full‑time role ( hrs/week; 10am–4pm core hours)
34. Hybrid working and flexibility
35. Overtime paid at time + one‑third for out‑of‑hours survey work
36. Annual profit‑related and performance bonuses
37. 25 days’ holiday, rising to 30 days with long service (includes Christmas shutdown allocation)
38. Pension scheme with increased employer contributions over time
39. Excellent CPD, including extensive internal workshops and generous training budgets
40. Paid CIEEM membership and EPS licence fees
41. Mobile phone and fieldwork clothing allowance
42. Volunteering days and family‑friendly policies
43. Employee Assistance Programme and in‑house mental health first‑aiders
44. Annualpany conference plus a dedicated ecology team conference
45. Annual UK/European weekend away
46. Real progression potential, with structured routes into Associate, Associate Director and beyond