Principal / Associate Ecologist

Mott Macdonald; Southampton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ecological consultancy in Southampton is seeking a Principal/Associate Ecologist. This role involves staff management, mentoring, and overseeing ecological projects throughout their lifecycle. Applicants should have a degree in Ecology, extensive consultancy experience, and be a Chartered Member of the relevant institute. The position offers a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

Private medical insurance

Health cash plan

Wellbeing support program

Pension contributions match

Life assurance

Income protection scheme

Annual bonus schemes

Qualifications

• Over nine years of experience in Ecological Consultancy or equivalent with transferable skills.
• Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or equivalent.
• Ability to communicate effectively to multi-disciplinary teams, clients and regulators.

Responsibilities

• Responsibility for staff wellbeing, mentoring, and career development for the Ecology Team.
• Work with management to manage utilisation, training, and recruitment needs.
• Hold regular operational team briefings for effective communication.

Skills

Ecological Consultancy

Report writing

Communication

People Management

Project Management

Education

Degree in Ecology or related subject

Higher degree (advantage)

Job description

Overview

Our Southampton Office is well situated close to the train station and the team consists of 11 members from Graduate to Senior Associate Level. We also work closely with the rest of the Ecology Team. Joining our team at Principal/Associate Ecologist level you will likely spend the majority of your time office-based but may still get involved in some site work, especially in your area of technical expertise. Although you will be a member of the Southampton ecology team, you will also be connected to a much larger team of ecologists. There are excellent opportunities to progress your career through promotion, as well as develop a key role within our ecology team. The role will suit a dynamic, proactive team-player who wants to work in a growth area of the business and help support the delivery of ecology services in a fast-moving, client-focused, commercial environment.

You will have responsibility for staff wellbeing, mentoring, and career development for the Southampton Ecology Team and will line manage some of the team members. You will work with the Regional Lead, Area Leader and UK Ecology Team Leader to manage utilisation, the appointment of people for specific roles, training and recruitment needs. You will hold regular operational team briefings/meetings for effective team management and communications. The projects you will be working on can span all stages of a project\'s life cycle, from design conception to implementation; giving opportunities to positively influence scheme design, and enhancements and promote best practice.

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is a consequence of changes to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Equality and accessibility

Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute. Accessibility: If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Benefits

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with everyday health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.
• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Qualifications

• A degree in Ecology (or a directly related subject). An additional higher degree would be an advantage.
• Over nine years\' experience in Ecological Consultancy (or equivalent with transferable skills).
• A Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or equivalent. Must be a Chartered Environmentalist, Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Biologist (or able to achieve this within 6 months).
• Ability to communicate effectively to multi-disciplinary teams, clients and regulators. Proficiency in report writing skills and a track record in acting as a checker / reviewer for ecological deliverables.
• Technical specialism e.g. has held protected species mitigation licences or has advanced botanical skills.
• Desirable: Experience of People Management, Project Management skills, experience of preparing costs and text for bids, willingness to travel throughout the UK.
• UK Immigration: This role may require eligibility to work in the UK. We are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route.