Your newpanyMy client is a highly regarded and fast-growing environmental consultancy operating across the UK, with a clear purpose of enabling nature and business to thrive together. They are recognised for their pragmatic and innovative approach, delivering high-quality environmental services while creating an inclusive and supportive workplace culture.
The organisation provides a broad range of services including terrestrial and freshwater ecology, hydrology, arboriculture, GIS and mapping, and environmental impact assessment. They place strong emphasis on technical excellence, collaboration, and developing long-term relationships with clients and stakeholders.
Your new roleAs a Principal Ecologist, you will play a senior leadership role in strengthening and expanding the organisation’s ecological offering. The position can be based remotely in the South East or East Anglia, with occasional travel to a regional office, and offers flexibility around working patterns, including full-time or part-time arrangements.
You will be instrumental in drivingmercial success through tender preparation, project delivery, and client relationship management, while also providing technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring to your team. A key part of the role will be leading large andplex projects from inception through topletion, ensuring outputs are delivered to a high technical standard, on time and within budget.
In addition, you will take responsibility for line management, providing leadership to Senior Ecological Consultants, Ecological Consultants, and Assistant Ecologists, and may act as a technical lead across selected disciplines.
What you'll need to succeedTo succeed in this role, you will need:
1. Proven experience as a Principal Ecological Consultant (or operating at an equivalent senior level)
2. A degree in ecology or a closely related subject
3. In-depth technical knowledge of ecology, legislation, and survey methodologies
4. Advanced field skills in one or more specialist areas
5. One or more protected species licences
6. Strongmercial and project management skills, with experience managingplex consultancy projects
7. Experience delivering technically demanding work such as EPSL applications, EcIA chapters, and Habitats Regulations Assessments
8. The ability to coach, mentor and provide technical leadership to multidisciplinary teams
9. Excellentmunication skills and a professional, client-focused approach
10. Membership of CIEEM
11. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use
Experience in ornithology, botany, and/or acting as a Named Ecologist on bat mitigation licences would be advantageous but is not essential.What you'll get in returnIn return, you will join a consultancy that genuinely values its people and supports long-term career progression. You can expect:
12. Apetitive salary from £45,000 - £55,000, dependent on experience.
13. 25 days annual leave
14. Healthcare cash plan
15. Enhanced pension scheme and life insurance
16. Paid professional memberships and a clothing allowance
17. Discounted gym membership
18. Performance-related rewards and long service awards
19. Free parking
20. Regular local andpany-wide social events
21. Access to a wide range of industry-accredited external training and high-quality in-house development
22. Opportunities to lead high-profile,plex, and meaningful projects
23. A flexible and supportive working culture that promotes work–life balance