Associate Director - Major Projects Ecology Lead

AECOM; Hartford; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure consulting firm is seeking an experienced Associate Ecologist to lead ecological projects in the UK. The candidate will act as the main point of contact for clients and oversee project deliverables, offering mentorship to team members. A strong understanding of wildlife legislation and experience in ecological services are essential. This role provides a flexible hybrid working model to ensure work-life balance.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working model

Career development opportunities

Technical practice networks

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in planning and delivery of ecological services on projects.
• Well-developed understanding of relevant wildlife legislation.
• Mentoring and supporting ecology team members.

Responsibilities

• Act as the ecology lead for major projects.
• Support with project bidding, initiation, delivery, and reviews.
• Lead client-facing work and represent the company.

Skills

Experience in ecological services

Understanding of wildlife legislation

Project management

Client communication

Health and Safety commitment

Education

Membership of a professional institution

Job description

Responsibilities

• Act as the ecology lead for one or more major projects (such as DCO).
• Work with the external clients and the project team to contribute to scope, technical advice, problem solving.
• Support with project bidding, initiation, delivery, and reviews.
• Liaise with internal AECOM teams on project deliverables, scheduling, and budget.
• Act as Lead Verifier / Approver for a range of technical ecology project deliverables.
• Support the regional lead and national ecology team to achieve other deliverables during quieter periods on the project.
• Provide mentorship to members of the ecology team working on the project.
• Lead client-facing work, acting as the main point of contact for key clients and representing the company at meetings, site visits, and stakeholder discussions.

Qualifications

• Demonstratable experience in planning and delivery of ecological services on projects in the UK or Ireland.
• Well‑developed understanding of relevant wildlife legislation.
• Ideally experience on DCO schemes, including experience at examination.
• Membership of an appropriate professional institution and evidence of working towards Chartership (such as CIEEM or related).
• Commitment to innovation and continuing professional development.
• A proactive approach to Health and Safety.
• Mentoring and supporting ecology team members.

If you’re passionate about innovation and turning bold ideas into reality, AECOM welcomes you. Join our team, where we don’t just construct infrastructure but also uplift communities and enhance lives. Why not give our AECOM page on LinkedIn a follow to stay updated on the impactful projects we’re working on and see firsthand the difference we’re making in the industry!

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

Join us. Are you ready to join a team of talented ecologists and shape the future of the environment? We are seeking people who are confident and experienced in being the ecology lead for high‑profile major projects. You will plan, manage, report, and defend the technical outputs from the project to the client, project team, and stakeholders through the relevant planning regime. You will have comprehensive support from the full ecology team to deliver the project, and you will be responsible for reaching across our teams to select appropriate teams to deliver on your projects.

Join our dynamic Nature team as an Associate Ecologist in our UK and Ireland offices, including Manchester, Leeds, Basingstoke, Newcastle, Glasgow, Cambridge, Nottingham, Bristol and Liverpool offices (other locations across the UK may be considered).

Our Nature team are working on a mix of large infrastructure projects in the energy, water, renewables, defence and transport sectors, alongside managing smaller local projects. Our team is also supporting the wider AECOM Nature team with National and International projects. You will be well supported in your role by our team of ecologists, including other ecologists in a similar role, regional leadership, and colleagues from other disciplines delivering on these projects, as well as through the wider AECOM network and Technical Practice Groups.

Become part of our dynamic Nature business, which boasts around 150 professional experts including national and global leaders located across the UK/IE, from species licence holders to experts in impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, enhancement, and management. At AECOM, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward‑thinking environment where your contributions are valued.

And let’s not forget about the perks at AECOM. You’ll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well‑being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career‑development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work‑life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!

AEAOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public‑ and private‑sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges.

Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities.

AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity. You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.