Lead Ecologist

United Utilities; Clayton-le-Woods; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Private healthcare

Annual bonus

Pension scheme

Wellbeing support

Professional development

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking a Lead Ecologist to steer ecological strategy across a major Capital Delivery portfolio in the North West. You will lead a team of ecologists and coordinate with external consultants to embed biodiversity outcomes throughout project development, design and construction.

The role requires a degree in ecology or related field, MCIEEM membership, and 10+ years of leadership in ecological work on infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology or Environmental Science or related field.
• Full MCIEEM membership or equivalent.
• 10+ years leading ecological work on large infrastructure or development programmes.
• Strong knowledge of ecological legislation, EIA, HRA and protected species requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead ecological strategy across Capital Delivery programmes.
• Manage a team of ecologists and external consultants.
• Ensure ecological considerations are embedded from design to delivery.
• Oversee EcIA, HRA, and BNG assessments and licensing work.
• Develop relationships with regulators and planning authorities.
• Provide strategic ecological advice across the business.
• Develop ecological standards, guidance and best practice.
• Mentor and develop ecology professionals.

Skills

Ecology leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Regulatory approvals

Mentoring

Budget management

Team management

Strategic planning

Education

Degree in Ecology

MCIEEM membership

Tools

GIS

Environmental modelling

Job description

About us

At United Utilities, we're committed to delivering high-quality water and wastewater services while protecting and enhancing the environment across the North West. As we continue to invest in our infrastructure and support nature recovery, we're looking for an experienced Ecologist to lead ecological strategy and delivery across a diverse portfolio of major projects.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence how large-scale infrastructure projects deliver positive outcomes for biodiversity, nature recovery and environmental sustainability.

The role

As a Lead Ecologist, you'll provide strategic ecological leadership across our Capital Delivery programme. Reporting to the Planning Landscape Ecology and Access (PLEA) Delivery Lead, you'll lead a team of ecologists and manage external consultants and partners to ensure ecological considerations are embedded throughout project development, design and construction.

You'll be responsible for delivering ecology outputs to the highest standards, ensuring environmental risks are proactively managed and that projects achieve the necessary ecological and regulatory approvals.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading ecological support across major infrastructure programmes and projects.
• Providing technical leadership and decision-making on ecology, biodiversity and nature recovery.
• Overseeing ecological surveys, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRA), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessments, design and implementation of mitigation strategies and licensing work.
• Developing robust relationships with regulators, planning authorities and conservation organisations.
• Managing ecological consultancy frameworks and specialist suppliers.
• Supporting investment planning and providing strategic ecological advice across the business.
• Developing ecological standards, policies, guidance and best practice.
• Leading, mentoring and developing a team of ecology professionals.
• Ensuring projects meet environmental, regulatory and business objectives.

What we’re looking for

We're seeking a highly experienced ecological professional with a passion for delivering environmental excellence and sustainable infrastructure solutions.

You'll have:

• A degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
• Full membership of CIEEM (MCIEEM) or an equivalent professional body.
• 10+ years experience leading ecological work on major infrastructure or large-scale development programmes.
• Detailed knowledge of ecological legislation, planning policy, EIA, HRA and protected species requirements.
• Experience delivering Biodiversity Net Gain strategies and nature recovery initiatives.
• Proven success in securing environmental consents and regulatory approvals.
• Strong understanding of habitat assessment methodologies, including UKHab and biodiversity metrics.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, consultants and framework partners.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills.
• Strong commercial awareness, including budget and resource management experience.
• The ability to review and assure complex technical reports and regulatory submissions.

Why join us?

You’ll play a key role in shaping the environmental outcomes of some of the North West's most important infrastructure investments. In return, we offer:

• Competitive salary
• Annual bonus opportunity
• Attractive pension scheme
• Generous holiday allowance
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• Private healthcare and wellbeing support
• Ongoing professional development and career progression opportunities
• The chance to make a real impact on biodiversity and nature recovery across the region