Ecology Team Leader - CUMBRIA

Tetra Tech; Cockermouth; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consulting firm is seeking an experienced Cumbria Team Leader to manage and grow a team of ecologists. The role involves leading technical projects, maintaining client relationships, and contributing to business development in a fast-paced environment. Candidates should have relevant qualifications and industry experience. This position offers hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Cars or car allowances for all team members

Internal and external training and mentoring

Cars or car allowances for all team members

Qualifications

• Demonstrable industry experience and capability to fulfil the role.
• Hold a full driving licence.
• Ability to mentor and manage a team.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and inspire the ecology team and promote professional growth.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients.
• Provide expert ecological input throughout project delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Ecological consultancy

Business development

Relationship management

Education

Academic qualification in related discipline

Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management

Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Environmentalist

Job description

Overview

Are you an experienced ecologist ready to take the next step in your career? Do you thrive in a leadership role while staying hands on with technical work? Tetra Tech is looking for a Cumbria Team Leader to manage, inspire and grow our team of ecologists in this region to deliver an increasing market share of projects.

Who is Tetra Tech?

Tetra Tech is a dynamic provider of high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide, with local delivery in more than 400 locations. We work across sectors including Residential, Defence, Energy, Government Services and Transport, and we Lead with Science to provide sustainable and resilient solutions. Our ecology team has been recognised with awards including the CIEEM Large Consultancy of the Year and Large Scale Mitigation Award. We are known for delivering innovative ecological solutions and are seeking a dynamic Regional Lead to lead from the front.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer flexible benefits, personal and professional development, and the opportunity to work on exciting projects. We want Tetra Tech to be a step-change in your career.

The Role

As the Cumbria Team Lead, you will be at the forefront of our ecology team in the region, contributing to the UK nature team. This role requires a balance of leadership, business development, and technical excellence. You will guide your team to deliver high-quality ecological services while fostering new opportunities and maintaining strong client relationships.

Your primary focus is to positively lead, manage, and grow the ecology team, providing mentorship and support for professional development. You will oversee a programme of works including complex ecological projects, ensuring technical quality and timely delivery while maintaining positive client engagement and feedback to the team. This role suits someone who thrives in a fast-paced, high-quality environment and can balance multiple responsibilities of a leading role.

We provide Project Management training and encourage you to lead projects that align with your technical skills. You will contribute to bids and proposals, provide feedback on deliverables, and collaborate with colleagues across the business on multidisciplinary opportunities. A willingness to understand how other parts of the business operate is advantageous.

You will represent the Cumbria region and contribute to nature team business development activities, including leading and coordinating technical elements of bids, tenders, and framework opportunities, with a solid understanding of ecological consultancy and commercial awareness. You will work closely with professional project managers and bid support teams.

You will leverage your professional network to add value to bids and projects and enjoy developing relationships with clients and colleagues.

Key responsibilities

• Team Development: Mentor and inspire the team, communicate effectively with colleagues and third parties, and foster collaboration and professional growth. Lead staff development in line with strategic goals. Includes line management responsibilities such as timesheet sign‑off and care for staff in the technical specialism where appropriate.
• Client Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and new clients, positioning us as a trusted partner for nature-related needs.
• Project Leadership: Take an active role in projects, providing expert ecological input from initial consultation through delivery, and support more junior project managers in the region with troubleshooting.
• All Team Leads will be trained to Tetra Tech’s Project Management training to Level 2.
• Technical Expertise: Provide high-level technical guidance to ensure projects meet regulatory and environmental compliance. Supervise and review development of standard technical solutions and verify outputs meet quality standards. Lead the development of technical excellence and knowledge sharing across the national Ecology team. Experience with Ecological Impact Assessment and EIA reporting, Habitat Regulations Assessments, planning committees, inquiries and Expert Witness evidence.
• Business Growth: Contribute to the strategic development of the Nature department and wider Tetra Tech business. Be involved in business development, understanding market conditions, opportunities and competition, and identifying and delivering opportunities with new and existing clients.

Requirements

• An appropriate academic qualification in a related discipline
• Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
• Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Environmentalist
• Demonstrable industry experience and capability to fulfil the role described
• Hold a full driving licence

Flexible Working

We operate fully flexible, hybrid working. The role may require time at an office or alternative workspace to suit involved colleagues. We are happy to discuss flexible working arrangements, including reduced or compressed hours and flexible start/finish times, to support work/life balance.

If timing isn’t right, please still get in touch as we can consider deferring the start date for the right candidate.

About the team

• 95 permanent ecologists
• Time away from home minimised
• IT systems enable seamless remote and flexible working; proximity to an office is not a barrier
• Cars or car allowances for all team members, including personal use
• Established TOIL system for time management
• Career frameworks provide clarity on progression
• Development of well-rounded ecologists who can discuss all stages of a project
• Internal and external training and mentoring

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of high-end consulting and engineering services worldwide. We Lead with Science to provide sustainable and resilient solutions. Learn more at www.tetratecheurope.com/careers.

For more information, please visit our website. To apply, submit your resume and cover letter on the Careers portion of our website at Tetra Tech Europe Careers. We are an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity / shared parental leave.

We are happy to discuss flexible working, including reduced hours or compressed hours, to support work/life balance.