Environmental sustainability manager - Nature Lead

BAM UK & Ireland; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction company is seeking an Environmental Sustainability Manager - Nature Lead in the UK for a hybrid role. The ideal candidate will provide ecological expertise to support project delivery and BAM's Nature Positive Plan. Key responsibilities include leading biodiversity initiatives, collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The role requires strong technical knowledge and a relevant degree, with benefits including competitive salary, matched pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

8% matched pension contributions

Private healthcare

Life assurance

26 days holiday

2 wellbeing days

1 volunteering day

Personal and professional development

Qualifications

• Experience in biodiversity and nature-based solutions.
• Understanding of industry policies in biodiversity conservation.
• Ability to apply sustainability concepts in climate adaptation.

Responsibilities

• Lead biodiversity initiatives across UK & Ireland.
• Provide ecological support on project teams.
• Drive implementation of nature-positive initiatives.

Skills

Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)

Protected species licensing

Ecological assessment processes

Landscape management

Nature-positive strategies

Strong communication skills

Influencing and networking

Organizational skills

Education

Relevant degree qualification

Professional membership of ISEP or CIEEM

Job description

Building a sustainable tomorrow

What if your next step led further than you thought?

With a reputation built over 150 years, BAM has the depth, scale and momentum to offer you more than a next step. We offer you a path. One that can take you across sectors, into leadership, or even around the world. We invest in development because we want our people to stay and grow. Wherever you want to go, we’ll help you get there.

BAM UK&I are looking for an Environmental sustainability manager - Nature Lead to be based anywhere in the UK working on a hybrid basis.

The Nature Lead will provide strong ecological expertise — ideally including experience with Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), protected species licencing, GIS, and nature-risk management — to directly support both on-the-ground project delivery and the wider implementation of BAM UK & Ireland’s Nature Positive Plan.

Providing practical ecological input on live sites, tender opportunities, and early design stages. A willingness to travel regularly across the UK and Ireland is essential.

Making Possible

While biodiversity and ecology will be the primary focus, the role may also contribute flexibly to other sustainability themes including sustainable procurement and climate adaptation.

This is an exciting time to join BAM. We have recently formed a strategic partnership with the Eden Project — the world‑renowned centre for ecological innovation and education — to co‑create practical tools, training, and exemplar projects that will enhance nature outcomes across the built environment.

The role can be based at any of our UK & Ireland office locations, with hybrid flexible working arrangements encouraged and actively supported.

Mission

Champion a culture of continual improvement in BAM’s nature‑positive journey, collaborating closely with the Head of Nature and the wider business.

Lead and support biodiversity initiatives across the UK & Ireland Division, working in an agile way to meet evolving business needs.

Work with multi‑disciplinary teams to integrate ecological and biodiversity considerations into projects, including compliance with relevant environmental regulations and protected species legislation.

Provide hands‑on ecological support to project teams on the ground, including early design advice, site visits, and practical input during construction.

Support horizon scanning of government policy, industry developments, and future legislation related to biodiversity and ecosystems (e.g., BNG, protected species licencing, land use change, habitat protection, ecosystem services, nature‑based solutions, EIA / CEMP requirements).

Drive implementation of nature‑positive initiatives in partnership with colleagues across Enabling Services and project teams, promoting best practice and innovative approaches throughout the project and service lifecycle.

Work closely with Procurement to embed nature‑friendly supply chain arrangements and support other sustainability priorities through responsible sourcing.

Provide input into work‑winning activities, including client engagement and the preparation of nature‑related bid responses and collateral.

Support the development of policies, processes, and tools that deliver BAM UK&I’s Nature Positive Plan and enable effective biodiversity data measurement, analysis, and reporting.

Represent BAM at relevant industry forums and supply chain events, raising the company’s profile in biodiversity and sustainability.

Contribute to internal and regulatory sustainability reporting (such as CSRD and TNFD), focused primarily on biodiversity.

Help build awareness and capability across the business through webinars, workshops, bulletins, training, and guidance materials.

Your team

You can be based anywhere across the UK with travel frequently to support project teams and visit operational sites.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary
• A wide range of family friendly policies
• 8 % matched pension contributions
• Private healthcare
• Life assurance
• 26 days holiday
• 2 wellbeing days
• 1 volunteering day
• Personal and professional development

What do you bring to the role?

• Willingness to travel frequently across the UK and Ireland to support project teams and visit operational sites.
• Strong technical knowledge and experience in biodiversity and nature‑based solutions, with expertise in one or more areas such as BNG, protected species licensing, landscape management, habitat creation, or nature‑positive strategies.
• Experience of ecological assessment processes and compliance with relevant UK and Ireland environmental legislation.
• Experience of working in multi‑disciplinary project teams, ideally within the construction or infrastructure sectors.
• Strong understanding of current and emerging policies, strategies, and industry approaches in biodiversity and nature conservation.
• Significant experience gained through similar roles across the private and / or public sector.
• Ability to organise workload and manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to present confidently to internal and external audiences.
• Strong influencing and networking skills, with experience engaging senior stakeholders and building collaborative partnerships.
• Ability to apply sustainability concepts beyond biodiversity, including climate adaptation, carbon, and sustainable procurement.
• Commercial awareness of nature‑related risks, opportunities, and compliance requirements.
• Strong self‑motivation, with the ability to identify and implement nature‑enhancing solutions.
• A good working knowledge of biodiversity challenges in the construction and built environment sectors.
• A relevant degree qualification and professional membership of ISEP, CIEEM, or a similar professional body.
• Passion for nature conservation and commitment to delivering measurable improvements.

About BAM

Building a sustainable tomorrow. That’s our mission and our promise at BAM. It’s how we engineer vital infrastructure and construct high‑quality buildings as one of the largest construction companies in Europe.

We strive to create an environment where everybody feels welcome and valued. We’re on an exciting journey to employ the best talent to join us regardless of social background, race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability or other characteristics.

The application process

BAM is committed to ensuring a fully inclusive recruitment and onboarding process, so if at any time you feel you may need any reasonable adjustments, do not hesitate to speak with one of our team, and we will do our best to support you. Join us in Making Possible