Principal Ecologist
Salary: £55,000 to £65,000 DOE + Company Benefits
Location: Office Based in either London, Basingstoke or Ipswich
Schedule: Monday to Friday, no weekends
The Opportunity
A growing business with a strong vision for continued success, our client offers a genuinely rewarding opportunity where you can help shape the next chapter of their environmental capability.
Our client is an innovative, multi-disciplinary design and survey consultancy operating across critical infrastructure sectors. They deliver high-quality technical solutions spanning MEP, Civils & Structural, Architectural, Environmental, BIM, Earthing & Lightning Protection, and detailed surveying services.
With a forward-thinking and collaborative approach, our client supports complex and technically challenging projects across the UK. They are committed to delivering practical, compliant and commercially viable solutions tailored to each client’s specific needs.
About the Role
Our client is seeking a Principal Ecologist to be based in one of their offices in London, Basingstoke or Ipswich.
This is a particularly exciting opportunity, as the successful candidate will play a key role in establishing and developing an ecology function within the wider Environmental team. The position offers the chance to shape strategy, build capability and mentor junior staff while remaining actively involved in technical delivery.
The role will involve managing ecological projects, coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering teams, producing high-quality technical reports and ensuring full compliance with UK environmental legislation and rail industry standards.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage ecological projects from inception through to completion, including oversight of sub-consultants where required
* Design and oversee ecological surveys, including Phase 1 and Phase 2 habitat assessments, protected species surveys, Habitat Regulation Assessments (HRAs) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments
* Develop mitigation strategies and biodiversity net gain plans, particularly within rail and infrastructure environments
* Prepare and review technical documentation, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs) and detailed ecological reports
* Provide expert advice to multidisciplinary project teams throughout planning, design and construction phases
* Obtain and manage ecological licences and protected species consents
* Represent the ecology function in client, stakeholder and technical meetings
* Mentor and support junior ecologists, contributing to professional development and maintaining quality standards
* Contribute to bid preparation and support business development within the rail and infrastructure ecology sector
Minimum Competencies
* Demonstrable expertise in wildlife, botany and biodiversity principles
* Strong working knowledge of UK environmental legislation, policy and sustainability best practice
* Excellent report writing skills with strong attention to detail
* Proven leadership and project management capability, including mentoring experience
* Experience undertaking Environmental Impact Assessments and producing high-quality technical outputs
* Familiarity with GIS or similar mapping software would be advantageous
* Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology or a related discipline
* Relevant professional memberships and accreditations desirable
Salary & Benefits
* Competitive salary of up to £65,000 per annum
* Pension scheme
* Private medical insurance
* Life insurance
* Company events
Next Steps
If you are an experienced Ecologist ready to step into a Principal-level role or already operating at this level and looking to shape and grow a function within a forward-thinking consultancy, we would welcome a confidential conversation.
Following initial screening, shortlisted candidates will be invited to a two-stage interview process, which will include a technical discussion and an opportunity to meet key members of the Environmental and Leadership teams.
All applications will be handled in strict confidence.