Biodiversity Strategy Leader | Conservation & Compliance (Hybrid)

Pertemps Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary up to £80,000

Car allowance £5,800 per year

Pension scheme

Annual medical assessments

Health and wellbeing benefits

Performance-related pay

Job summary

Thames Water is seeking a Biodiversity & Conservation Manager to lead a team of ecologists and biodiversity professionals. You will shape environmental strategy, drive improvements, and deliver nature recovery across the region.

The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership across regulatory compliance, budgeting and partnerships with regulators and contractors. Hybrid work with office visits 2–3 days a week.

Qualifications

• A degree, or equivalent experience, in Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation, Environmental Management or a related discipline.
• Experience delivering regulatory or compliance outcomes.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing specialist technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coaching and developing a team of biodiversity, ecology and conservation specialists.
• Provide strategic oversight of biodiversity, ecological and heritage compliance activities across Thames Water.
• Shape strategies, standards and policies to embed nature recovery and environmental stewardship across the business.
• Accountable for delivering a large programme of biodiversity commitments including WINEP projects and the Biodiversity Performance Commitment.
• Overseeing programmes to manage invasive non-native species and strengthen resilience across assets.
• Build and maintain relationships with regulators including Natural England and the Environment Agency.
• Manage biodiversity-related risks and integrate biodiversity considerations into business decisions.
• Oversee biodiversity reporting, assurance activities and environmental performance measures.
• Support management and enhancement of Thames Water's landholdings, habitats and conservation sites.
• Manage specialist consultants, contractors and programme budgets.
• Influence senior internal and external stakeholders and manage complex conversations.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and environmental stewardship.

Skills

People leadership

Strategic planning

Regulatory compliance

Budget management

Stakeholder engagement

Environmental risk management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation, Environmental Management or related discipline

Job description

Thames Water is seeking a Biodiversity & Conservation Manager to lead a team of ecologists and biodiversity professionals. You will shape environmental strategy, drive improvements, and deliver nature recovery across the region.

The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on leadership across regulatory compliance, budgeting and partnerships with regulators and contractors. Hybrid work with office visits 2–3 days a week.