Associate Ecologist

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Supportive culture with mentoring

Access to industry specialists

Opportunities for career progression

Focus on wellbeing and safety

Job summary

A prominent engineering consultancy in Manchester seeks an experienced Associate Consultant Ecologist. In this role, you will lead ecological initiatives and contribute to important UK and international projects. The ideal candidate should have experience in various UK habitats and expertise in ecological impact assessments. You will also mentor junior colleagues, emphasizing a strong culture of health, safety, and wellbeing. This position offers clear career progression within a collaborative team environment.

Qualifications

• Experience across various UK habitats and protected species with survey licences.
• Proven track record in ecological consultancy and mitigating strategies.
• Experience in delivering Environmental Statements and client interactions.

Responsibilities

• Lead health, safety, and wellbeing initiatives within the team.
• Manage workloads and uphold technical standards in projects.
• Oversee ecological workstreams and support junior team members.

Skills

Experience with UK habitats

Survey licences

Ecological Impact Assessments

Client management

Mentorship

Job description

Overview

If you’re an experienced consultant ecologist ready to step into an Associate role where you can lead, influence, mentor and make a real impact, this could be the perfect next step.

A Little More About The Team

Our Ecology team is friendly, collaborative, and built on shared expertise. You’ll work alongside specialists in habitats, protected species, biodiversity, water, planning, and more meaning you’ll gain exposure to a wide range of projects and disciplines.

What You Can Expect

• A supportive culture with training, mentoring, and clear progression
• Access to industry-leading specialists across the UK
• Opportunities to help shape best practice in UK ecology
• A workplace where wellbeing and safety always come first

Your New Role – What’s Involved?

• Championing our Health, Safety & Wellbeing culture and helping create a safe, positive working environment.
• Working closely with your team, the Regional Director, and Team Leader to manage workload and uphold high technical standards.
• Generating new opportunities and preparing tenders, while overseeing the delivery of ecological workstreams technical, commercial, and financial.
• Providing both site and office support, helping to guide and mentor junior colleagues as they develop their skills.
• Contributing to a supportive, enthusiastic, and high‑performing team environment.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience working across a range of UK habitats and protected species, with survey and/or mitigation licences (current or held previously).
• A proven track record of supporting clients from devising survey programmes and designing pragmatic, cost‑effective mitigation, to gaining regulatory support and supervising implementation on‑site.
• Experience delivering Ecological Impact Assessments and writing robust ES chapters.
• Knowledge and experience of Habitats Regulations Assessment.
• Demonstrable success in winning work, particularly with commercial clients in residential, mixed‑use, and industrial sectors.
• A passion for supporting and developing ecologists of all grades through mentorship and leadership.

When You Join Us, You’ll Gain

• A clear pathway to progress your ecological consultancy career
• The freedom to shape your own development
• Exposure to major UK and international projects
• A workplace that truly values diversity, collaboration, and wellbeing

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.