Lead Ecologist & UK Ecology Director

Jacobs; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

24 days holiday

Robust Pension Contributions

Comprehensive Health Coverage

Employee Networks

Family Planning Support

Enhanced Parental Leave

Life assurance

Income Protection

Wellbeing Hub

Professional Development

Community Engagement

Job summary

Jacobs in the UK is seeking a Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to lead the Peterborough ecology team, delivering strategic leadership across water, transport and energy infrastructure and mentoring a high‑performing group.

You’ll shape UK‑wide ecology delivery, provide expert advice to clients and regulators, lead bidding and growth, and represent the team through client engagement and industry leadership.

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 ability to influence wider business decisions.

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

Terrestrial ecology

Leadership

Client engagement

Regulatory liaison

Mentoring

Education

Chartered ecologist

Tools

EIA

HRA

Biodiversity Net Gain

Job description

Jacobs in the UK is seeking a Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to lead the Peterborough ecology team, delivering strategic leadership across water, transport and energy infrastructure and mentoring a high‑performing group.

You’ll shape UK‑wide ecology delivery, provide expert advice to clients and regulators, lead bidding and growth, and represent the team through client engagement and industry leadership.