Principal Consultant

Ricardo plc; Bristol; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting company in Bristol is seeking a Principal Consultant for their Aquatic Ecology Team. This role requires expertise in aquatic ecology assessments, team leadership, and extensive project involvement. Candidates should have relevant qualifications in environmental disciplines and strong communication skills. The position offers flexible working arrangements and various benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

25 days’ annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

Competitive pension scheme

Life assurance

Professional subscription reimbursement

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in aquatic ecology assessments in UK water industry.
• In-depth knowledge of UK and EU Wildlife Legislation.
• Capability in leading ecological impact assessments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of aquatic ecologists.
• Deliver expertise in aquatic ecology investigations.
• Coordinate field surveys and mitigate ecological impacts.

Skills

Team leadership in aquatic ecology assessments

Excellent written and verbal communication

Organisational and presentation skills

Ability to multi-task

Collaboration within teams

Education

First degree in relevant environmental discipline

Postgraduate degree (preferable)

Job description

Job Overview

We are currently looking for a Principal Consultant to join our Aquatic Ecology Team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of aquatic ecologists, supporting and training junior staff.
• Deliver expertise in aquatic ecology investigations across all project stages, from bidding/feasibility/optioneering, extensive field survey programming, detailed design and assessment.
• Contribute to the production of consents such as Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA), Water Framework Directive (WFD), Drought Permits and INNS assessments as a technical author or reviewer.
• Communicate with colleagues and clients to deliver projects to budget and programme.
• Work collaboratively as part of a wider team of multi‑disciplinary water and environmental experts.
• Lead, plan and coordinate field surveys, analyse and interpret survey results and plan and coordinate ecological mitigation works.

Qualifications

• Extensive and relevant experience as a team leader in undertaking and reviewing aquatic ecology assessments and supporting surveys within the UK water industry.
• A first degree in a relevant environmental discipline, ideally with a postgraduate degree.
• In-depth knowledge of UK and EU Wildlife Legislation, planning policies, licensing requirements and best practice survey techniques.
• Capability in leading Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments.
• Good understanding of WFD assessments, in particular the biological metrics and indices that inform ecological status.
• Demonstrable specialist knowledge in either fisheries, macroinvertebrate or macrophyte ecology (preferable).

Skills and Behaviours

• Self‑starter and proactive self‑motivated thinker.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to produce meticulous and accurate technical reports.
• Excellent organisational, communication and presentation skills, upholding client and stakeholder relationships.
• Proven technical reviewing skills.
• Proven ability to multi‑task and manage multiple projects/proposals concurrently.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration within a small, busy team.
• Flexibility to prioritise workload and support others in doing so.

Company Overview

Ricardo plc is a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company with over 100 years of engineering excellence. We provide exceptional expertise in delivering leading‑edge sustainable solutions and support a diverse, inclusive culture.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in each person’s potential and are recognised as a “disability confident” employer.

Benefits

We offer flexible working arrangements, 25 days’ annual leave plus 8 flexible bank holidays, a competitive pension scheme, life assurance and professional subscription reimbursement, among other benefits.