Ecology Director: Lead Major UK Infrastructure Projects

Jacobs; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

24 days holiday

Enhanced pension

Health coverage

Employee networks

Family planning support

Parental leave

Life assurance

Income protection

Wellbeing hub

CPD opportunities

Community engagement

Job summary

Jacobs in Peterborough seeks a Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to lead the ecology team, shaping UK-wide projects across water, transport and energy infrastructure. You’ll guide strategy, mentor staff and deliver high-impact ecological solutions.

Hybrid working in a global firm, with opportunities to influence major bids and client relationships while advancing biodiversity and regulatory outcomes.

Qualifications

• Strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience.
• Chartered status (or on track to achieve it).
• Proven experience leading ecological input on large-scale projects.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to influence wider business decisions.
• Experience in line management, mentoring and team development.
• A proactive, hands-on approach with strong self-awareness.
• Ability to adapt across diverse and complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Help steer the strategic direction for the Peterborough ecology team and contribute to UK-wide leadership.
• Act as the go-to expert, providing high-quality advice to clients, stakeholders and regulators.
• Build strong relationships through extensive client and stakeholder engagement.
• Lead and inspire colleagues through empathetic, high-impact leadership and mentoring.
• Apply your technical expertise across EIA, Habitat Regulations Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Design and oversee ecological monitoring and survey programmes.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated, innovative solutions.
• Play a central role in identifying, bidding and winning new work.
• Promote the ecology team’s capability across the wider business and externally.
• Oversee resource planning for the Peterborough ecology teams to ensure workloads are balanced and projects are properly supported.
• This is your opportunity to shape not just projects, but people, performance and the future direction of the team.

Skills

Leadership

Terrestrial ecology

Chartered status

Ecology project leadership

Strategic thinking

People management

Mentoring

Hands-on

Adaptability

Job description

Jacobs in Peterborough seeks a Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to lead the ecology team, shaping UK-wide projects across water, transport and energy infrastructure. You’ll guide strategy, mentor staff and deliver high-impact ecological solutions.

Hybrid working in a global firm, with opportunities to influence major bids and client relationships while advancing biodiversity and regulatory outcomes.