Principal Ecologist

TN United Kingdom; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in environmental consultancy is seeking a Principal Ecologist to lead ecological projects across the UK. This role involves technical expertise in ecological surveys, mitigation strategies, and driving innovation in nature-based solutions. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in ecology, relevant qualifications, and experience as a technical lead. The position offers flexibility, remote working options, and a competitive salary package.

Benefits

Annual car allowance

Private healthcare benefits

Qualifications

• Experience as technical lead on various projects.
• Hold at least 2 UK protected species licences.

Responsibilities

• Lead ecological consultancy services across multiple sectors.
• Oversee management of construction risks associated with ecology.
• Ensure all ecological licences and consents are obtained.

Skills

Ecology

Project Management

Biodiversity

Education

Ecology degree

Job description

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Job Reference:

4f8feec33205

Job Views:

6

Posted:

12.05.2025

Expiry Date:

26.06.2025

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Job Description:

With our internal environmental consultancy services growing rapidly, we're excited to be expanding our team and looking for a Principal Ecologist to come on board. In this role, you'll work on a diverse range of high-impact projects across the UK, covering the road, rail, water, and property sectors. Could this be you?

Kier is committed to creating a workplace where everyone is empowered to achieve their career goals. Our people are at the heart of our business, using their skills and creativity to provide solutions and services to our clients and customers. We are only able to deliver our business goals because of the commitment and talent of our people working together to a common purpose.

Location: Nationwide – travel to sites and offices required with remote working available

Contract: Permanent Fulltime with some flexibility on hours available if desired, just let us know when you speak to us

Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per year + £5.9k annual car allowance + private healthcare benefits

What will you be responsible for?

As a Principal Ecologist, you'll be a key source of technical expertise, leading the design of surveys, mitigation strategies, and licence applications. You'll also champion nature-based solutions and drive innovation across the business.

Your day to day will include:

• Lead the delivery of ecological consultancy services across a range of sectors including road, rail, water and property
• Lead ecological surveys, develop management plans and design mitigation
• Be responsible for overseeing the management of construction risks associated with ecology
• Ensure all ecological licences and consents are obtained in a timely manner
• Lead and input into client, stakeholder and technical meetings

What are we looking for?

This role of Principal Ecologist is great if you have:

• Ecology degree or equivalent experience
• CIEEM Full member (or working towards), or equivalent
• Demonstrable experience as technical lead on a range of projects
• Hold at least 2 UK protected species licences and held mitigation licences as lead ecologist
• Strong working knowledge and experience of UK Habitat survey, habitat condition assessments, Defra Biodiversity Metric and Biodiversity Net Gain plans
• Full UK driving licence

Rewards and benefits
We're proud to be able to offer our brilliant people a wide variety of benefits that you can tailor to your needs. You can see more information of benefits here.

Diversity and inclusion
Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a huge priority for us. We're proud of the steps we've taken so far, but we know we must always do more. Our employees are key in shaping Kier's diversity and inclusion initiatives and our people have made a huge impact on how we work, by using their experiences to shape our policies. You can see our D&I action plan here.

We look forward to seeing your application to #joinkier