Ecology Team Leader - CUMBRIA

Tetra Tech, Inc.; Cockermouth; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm in the UK seeks a Cumbria Team Leader to manage and grow a team of ecologists. This role blends leadership, business development, and technical expertise to deliver high-quality ecological services. The ideal candidate will have relevant qualifications and experience in ecology, strong leadership skills, and a commitment to client engagement. Flexible working arrangements are offered, fostering professional development and a supportive culture.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Internal and external training

Mentorship opportunities

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Mentor and inspire the team for professional growth.
• Maintain strong client relationships.
• Provide expert ecological input on projects.
• Ensure projects meet regulatory and environmental compliance.
• Contribute to the strategic development of the business.

Skills

Team leadership

Client relationship management

Ecological expertise

Business development

Project management

Education

Relevant academic qualification

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 delivering a positive leadership role whilst staying hands on with technical work? Can you contribute to our established group of regional leaders who aim to continue developing and evolving our exciting team? Tetra Tech is looking for a Cumbria Team Leader to manage, inspire and significantly grow our talented team of ecologists in this region to deliver an increasing market share of interesting projects. As the Cumbria Team Lead, you will be at the forefront of our ecology team in the region and contribute to driving success for Tetra Tech's UK nature team (ecology team sits within the nature team). This role requires a balance of leadership, business development, and technical excellence. You will lead by example, guiding your team to deliver high-quality ecological services while fostering new opportunities and maintaining strong client relationships.

Key responsibilities

• Team Development: Mentor and inspire the team and communicate effectively with colleagues and third parties, fostering collaboration and professional growth. Lead the mentoring and development of staff in line with strategic goals. Have line management responsibility including timesheet signoff, pastoral care and duty of care where appropriate for the technical specialism.
• Client Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and new clients, positioning us as a trusted partner for all nature-related needs.
• Project Leadership: Take an active role in projects, providing expert ecological input from initial consultation through to delivery, as well as supporting 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 the development of standard technical solutions and verify outputs meet quality standards. Lead the development of technical excellence and solutions based on best practice and research, including knowledge sharing across the national Ecology team. Experience of Ecological Impact Assessment and writing EIA reports and Habitat Regulations Assessments. Contribute to 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 with business development activity including awareness of market conditions, opportunities and competition and the identification and delivery of opportunities with new and existing clients.

Qualifications

• 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

Benefits and Working Style

We offer flexible working with fully flexible, hybrid arrangements. The role may require some time at an office or alternative workspace to suit those involved. We encourage development of well-rounded ecologists who can discuss all stages of a project. We offer internal and external training and mentoring, including from in-house experts. We provide a range of benefits and opportunities to work on exciting projects and develop professionally.

About the team

95 permanent ecologists in the Cumbria team. Time away from home minimised. We work with multiple teams including Planners, Archaeologists, Landscape Architects, Masterplanners and Engineers, with a culture of openness and support for queries.

Company context

Tetra Tech is a dynamic, leading provider of high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. We combine the resources of a global, multibillion-dollar company with local, client-focused delivery in more than 400 locations. We lead with science to provide sustainable and resilient solutions. We are proud of our ecology team’s achievements and are looking for a regional lead who is ready to lead from the front. Our people are at the heart of what we do, and we support flexible benefits and development opportunities, including the potential for Chartered status bonuses through CIEEM.

Flexible Working

We operate fully flexible, hybrid working which allows our environmental specialists to choose where, how, and when they work, as long as client expectations are met. Some time at an office or alternative workspace may be required to suit those involved. We discuss flexible working arrangements, including reduced or compressed hours and flexible start/finish times. Start dates can be deferred for the right candidate.