Ecologist - Associate/Principal

JR United Kingdom; London; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental consultancy is seeking an Associate Ecologist to manage and deliver ecology projects. The role involves technical leadership, client engagement, and mentoring junior staff while ensuring compliance with environmental legislation. Join a supportive team and contribute to impactful projects across various sectors.

Benefits

Company car or cash allowance

Up to 6% matched contributory pension plan

25 days annual leave plus ability to buy additional leave

Discount scheme (including gym membership)

Family friendly policies

Employee assistance

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology or a related subject required.
• Chartered status or working towards it preferred.
• Strong technical understanding of UK habitats and species.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate ecological assessments and surveys.
• Manage project timelines and resource allocation.
• Prepare technical reports and fee proposals.

Skills

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Ecological Assessments

Communication

Education

Degree in Ecology or related subject

Chartered status or working towards

Tools

GIS

Ecological Data Analysis Tools

Job description

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As an Associate Ecologist at BakerHicks, you will play a pivotal role in delivering and managing a broad range of ecology projects, ensuring quality, compliance, and innovation. Working within a supportive and growing team, you’ll contribute to technical leadership, client engagement, and the mentoring of junior staff. You’ll collaborate across disciplines and have the opportunity to shape the future of our environmental services.

Key Objectives

• Establish, lead, and grow our Ecology services
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality Ecology projects
• Direct Ecology teams and our supply chain in delivering services from initial feasibility to post-planning
• Drive growth of our client base and services through high quality service, resource development, and work winning
• Collaborate with BakerHicks' sectors to enhance our ecology offerings and tailor them to client and project needs
• Support proposal, business development, and marketing functions to help win future work

Responsibilities And Accountabilities

• Take responsibility for the work of others and the allocation of resources
• Establish milestones, deadlines, and team objectives, and delegate responsibility to ensure projects are completed in a timely manner
• Liaise with contractors, suppliers, and other third parties involved in projects to ensure both the client’s and BakerHicks’ interests are safeguarded
• Lead and coordinate the delivery of ecological assessments, surveys, and reporting
• Undertake and review technical reports to ensure high-quality outputs
• Prepare and contribute to technical reports and fee proposals to generate new business
• Liaise and communicate with stakeholders involved in the planning process and negotiate positive outcomes for the client
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, policy, and best practice relating to ecology and biodiversity
• Represent BakerHicks at client meetings, public consultations, and stakeholder workshops
• Work collaboratively across disciplines to support integrated project delivery
• Ensure compliance with Health & Safety and environmental legislation and internal standards

About You

Qualifications and Training

• Degree in Ecology, or a related subject
• Chartered status or working towards (e.g. CIEEM)
• Valid UK driving licence

Technical Skills And Experience

• Strong technical understanding of UK habitats and species
• Protected species licences, preferably for bats and great crested newts
• Proven experience managing ecology projects in consultancy or relevant sectors
• Track record in delivering PEAs, BNG assessments, EcIAs, and ES chapters
• Experience in stakeholder engagement and planning applications
• Understanding of biodiversity legislation and policy including BNG, protected species, and mitigation requirements
• Experience preparing fee proposals and leading bids
• Comfortable managing multiple projects and leading small teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Familiarity with GIS and ecological data analysis tools is desirable

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a growing environmental team with a supportive and inclusive culture
• Contribute to meaningful projects across sectors such as infrastructure, energy, public sector, and development
• Access to excellent training, mentorship, and development opportunities
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements available
• Competitive salary and benefits package

Many of the positions within our company are subject to security clearance. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by various factors. The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain security clearance for this role as required by our clients and sectors.

Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

About BakerHicks

We’ve been innovating in design, engineering and project delivery since 1957 and operate from 14 locations for a truly European reach. For more about our company story, see: About | BakerHicks.

BakerHicks. A Morgan Sindall Group company.

Whatever your discipline, you’ll be alongside some of the most talented people in the industry. Our network of offices are appealing, friendly and comfortable spaces, easily accessible by car or public transport. And our salary and benefits packages are some of the best in the industry.

What you get will depend on what you do, with individual performance-related rewards also on offer in addition to:

• Company car or cash allowance
• Up to 6% matched contributory pension plan
• 25 days annual leave plus ability to buy additional leave
• Discount scheme (including gym membership, mobile phones etc)
• Family friendly policies
• Employee assistance

BakerHicks is an equal opportunity employer. We care about creating an inclusive atmosphere and are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout.

BakerHicks is an inclusive organisation welcoming talent from all backgrounds. Applicants are assessed on the basis of personal merit and qualifications.