Job Description
Principal Ecological Consultant
Our client, a leading UK-based independent environmental consultancy, is seeking a Principal Ecological Consultant to join their team. You will play a key part in the delivery of large-scale ecological projects across the UK.
About the role:
* Particular focus on DCO and NSIP projects, including onshore wind, ground-mounted solar, and major residential or commercial developments
* Primarily focused on project management and technical delivery, overseeing ecological inputs from feasibility through to consent
* Limited routine fieldwork, with emphasis on coordination, review, interpretation, and reporting of survey data
* Lead and manage ecological projects and workstreams
* Liaise closely with clients, planning consultants, engineers, landscape architects, and sub-consultants
* Responsible for programme and budget management, technical leadership, and quality assurance of outputs
* Contribute to fee proposals and tenders
* Author, review, and sign off technical reports, particularly Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments
* Capability to undertake and oversee ecological surveys when required, including UKHab habitat surveys
* Collaborate with landscape designers and other disciplines to deliver mitigation, enhancement, and compensation measures
* Shape solutions that meet Biodiversity Net Gain requirements and wider green infrastructure objectives
About you:
* Degree (BSc or higher) in ecology or a related environmental discipline.
* Experience within an ecological consultancy, with a proven track record of working on medium to large-scale or complex projects, such as DCO/NSIP schemes, onshore wind, groundmounted solar, or major residential or commercial developments.
* Ability to take responsibility for the technical delivery and day-to-day management of ecological projects or workstreams.
* Strong understanding of the UK planning system and environmental assessment process, including leading or significantly contributing to Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments.
* Experience of managing ecological inputs to projects, including coordinating survey programmes, reviewing technical outputs, and ensuring work is delivered to programme, budget and quality expectations.
* Working knowledge of UKHab methodology and protected species surveys, with the ability to oversee, interpret and quality-assure survey work, and to undertake field surveys where required.
* Willingness and ability to undertake occasional site-based surveys or monitoring, recognising that fieldwork will form a relatively small part of the role.
* Strong understanding of UK wildlife legislation and its practical application to development-led projects.
* Ability to produce clear, proportionate and defensible reports, and to communicate confidently with clients and project teams.
* Experience of working collaboratively within multi-disciplinary teams, including planners, engineers, landscape architects and other specialists.
* Competence in the use of GIS and mapping tools to support reporting and project delivery.
* Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
* A proactive and solutions-focused approach to ecological mitigation, enhancement and design, with an interest in integrating biodiversity and wider green infrastructure benefits into development proposals.
* Experience in one or more protected species disciplines preferred
* Strong ornithological and/or botanical skills advantageous, especially for large infrastructure and renewable energy projects
* Strategic and creative approach to embedding ecology into development design
* Experience in Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) and/or DCO documentation is highly desirable
What’s on offer:
* Hybrid/ flexible working model, with the option for part-time
* Opportunity to join the business at an exciting stage of growth
* Core role within the team, helping shape and deliver ecological work
* Supportive working environment with one-to-one mentoring, professional development, and access to external training