Associate Ecologist

Malaysianwildlife; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training

Mentoring

Career progression

Wellbeing

Safety prioritised

Job summary

WSP is seeking an Associate Ecologist in the UK to lead project delivery and mentor a growing team of ecologists across habitats, protected species, and biodiversity projects. You will shape technical standards, liaise with clients, and help drive business growth while maintaining safe, high-quality outcomes.

You will work within a collaborative ecology team that values wellbeing, development, and high performance, contributing to landmark UK and international projects.

Qualifications

• Experience across UK habitats and protected species with survey licences.
• Proven track record of winning work with commercial clients (residential, mixed-use, industrial).
• Experience delivering Ecological Impact Assessments and writing ES chapters.
• Knowledge of Habitats Regulations Assessment.
• Demonstrated mentorship and leadership of ecologists across grades.

Responsibilities

• Lead project delivery and team leadership.
• Generate new opportunities and prepare tenders; oversee delivery of ecological workstreams (technical, commercial, financial).
• Provide site and office support; mentor junior colleagues.
• Contribute to a high-performing, collaborative team environment.

Skills

Ecology consultancy

Project leadership

Mentoring

Biodiversity assessment

Job description

Job Description

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

If you want to grow your ecological, project management, and consultancy skills while influencing the wider ecology profession, you’ll feel right at home here.

Your New Role – What’s Involved?

As an Associate Ecologist, you will play a key role in both project delivery and team leadership, including:

• 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

You will thrive in this role if you have:

• 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.

Why Choose WSP?

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

You’ll be part of a team that believes in building a better, more resilient environment one project at a time.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the

best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?