Associate Director - Ecology

Hilson Moran; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ecological consultancy in Manchester is seeking a Principal / Associate Ecologist. This full-time position involves leading ecological consultancy work, managing projects, and mentor colleagues. Essential qualifications include a degree in an ecology-related discipline, passion for environmental conservation, and technical experience in habitat surveys. The role offers a competitive salary, hybrid working arrangements, and a supportive culture where employee well-being is prioritized.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Unlimited annual leave

Hybrid working arrangements

Excellent training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Survey licence for at least one protected species.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and lead ecological consultancy work.
• Manage and ensure client-focused outcomes across projects.
• Undertake technical reviews of ecological reports.

Skills

Passion for ecology

Technical experience in habitat surveys

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

Degree in ecology-related discipline

Tools

GIS experience

Job description

Role at a Glance

Principal / Associate Ecologist
UK South East / Midlands
Salary: Negotiable, depending on expertise
Benefits: Plus Benefits
Contract: Full-time, Permanent – Part-time and flexible working considered
Pedigree: CIEEM Registered Practice
Certified "Great Place to Work"
Clients include: English Heritage, Knight Frank, Savils, Oxfordshire County Council, Ridge

Why Join Ecology by Design?

At Ecology by Design, we are not your typical corporate consultancy – we are an independent, people‑first ecology business built on trust, flexibility and creativity.

Forget timesheets, clock‑watching and rigid hierarchies. Here you manage your own hours, work where you work best and take unlimited holidays when you need them. We believe happy, trusted people do their best work – so we give you the freedom to shape how you work, not just what you do.

Our offices are dog‑friendly, relaxed and full of energy. You'll be surrounded by passionate ecologists who care deeply about their work and each other.

We are an SME with a genuinely awesome team culture – from the 2022 Olympic Games and Three Peaks challenges to Friday drinks and spontaneous adventures, there is always something happening if you want to get involved.

We are proud to be diverse and inclusive, with team members from all backgrounds – LGBTQ+, neurodivergent and from a wide mix of cultures and experiences. We see diversity as our collective superpower and we’ll help you use yours to the max.

And if you love to explore new ideas – whether it’s experimenting with AI, testing new methodologies or building a new business from scratch – you’ll have our full support. Our trust‑first policy means we back innovation, not bureaucracy.

We Aim To:

• Drive positive change to how people live with, work in and value the environment
• Achieve better outcomes for biodiversity
• Maintain a constant drive for quality and client satisfaction

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver and/or lead a range of ecological consultancy work – including habitat surveys (Phase 1 / NVC / UK Habitats), protected species surveys, EcIAs, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments and mitigation design
• Manage and deliver projects across the Home Counties, South and Midlands, ensuring high‑quality, client‑focused outcomes
• Undertake technical reviews of ecological reports to support consistent quality standards across the team
• Support, mentor and guide colleagues (depending on experience level)
• Contribute to business development activities and help shape the growth of the consultancy

About You

Essential

• A genuine passion for ecology and environmental conservation
• Strong technical experience in habitat and/or protected species surveys
• Survey licence for at least one protected species (e.g. bats, GCN, dormouse) or demonstrable specialist expertise in another ecological field
• Excellent communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel as required

Desirable

• Experience in EcIA, BNG, BREEAM or related ecological assessments
• Experience of mentoring or line management (particularly for Principal‑level candidates)
• GIS experience (QGIS/ArcGIS – training available)
• CIEEM membership (or eligibility)
• Degree (or equivalent) in an ecology‑related discipline
• Advanced or multiple species licences (e.g. Bat Low Impact, Badger)
• Experience or interest in client development and consultancy growth

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Hybrid working: a flexible mix of home and office base
• Excellent training and development, including an unlimited external training budget and in‑house learning
• Paid professional memberships (e.g. CIEEM)
• Apple computer and iPhone provided
• Generous pension scheme
• Unlimited annual leave and flexible working arrangements to support a healthy work‑life balance
• A supportive, collaborative culture where your ideas and expertise are valued
• A chance to help shape a growing consultancy’s culture and direction

Company Culture

We maintain a healthy, team‑oriented, supportive culture. Communication is key to all that we do, both with clients and across the company.

We prioritise the health and well‑being of our staff. From encouraging people to take appropriate leave throughout projects to providing in‑house mental health support, keeping our team safe, healthy and feeling valued is part of our ethos.

Whilst quality and timeliness of surveying and reporting is core to our business, we also like to have fun.

Application Notice

We take your privacy seriously. As you might expect, you may be contacted by email, text or telephone. Your data is processed by our talent partner RR (Recruitment Revolution) on the basis of their legitimate interests in fulfilling the recruitment process. Please refer to their Data Privacy Policy & Notice on their website for further details.

How to Apply

Apply today and join a values‑driven consultancy where your work truly matters – to our clients, our communities and the planet.