Principal Consultant - Ecology

EnviroCentre; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days' annual leave

Company pension

Career development and progression

Collaborative culture

Varied projects across sectors

Job summary

EnviroCentre, now part of Cura Terrae, is seeking a Principal Ecological Consultant to lead projects from inception through to completion across our Glasgow and Edinburgh offices.

You will provide technical leadership, oversee surveys and mitigation strategies, review high-quality reports, and mentor junior ecologists while nurturing lasting client relationships and contributing to business growth.

Qualifications

• A degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biological Sciences or a related discipline.
• Full membership of CIEEM and ideally working towards Chartered status.
• Significant experience delivering and managing ecological consultancy projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of ecological legislation, policy and best practice.
• Experience preparing and reviewing PEAs, EcIAs, Species Protection Plans and Habitats Regulations Assessments.
• Understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements and delivery.
• Experience using QGIS and/or ArcGIS Pro.
• Excellent communication, report-writing and client-facing skills.
• Experience mentoring or managing ecological professionals.
• A proactive, organised and commercially aware approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage ecological projects from inception through to completion, ensuring delivery to programme, budget and quality standards.
• Provide technical leadership and expert ecological advice across a range of projects and sectors.
• Oversee ecological surveys, assessments, mitigation strategies and monitoring programmes.
• Prepare, review and sign off high-quality technical reports and client deliverables.
• Mentor and develop junior team members, providing technical guidance and support.
• Manage client relationships and contribute to business development activities, proposals and tender submissions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated environmental solutions.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, guidance, industry standards and company procedures.
• Support innovation and continuous improvement across ecological service delivery.

Skills

Project leadership

Mentoring

Client relationship management

Technical reporting

GIS

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in Ecology or related field

Tools

QGIS

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

Location: This role can be based in Glasgow or operate across both our Edinburgh and Glasgow offices.

With the recent integration of EnviroCentre into Cura Terrae, our Land & Nature business builds on more than 30 years of ecological and environmental consultancy expertise. Together, we offer the reassurance of established technical excellence alongside the wider resources and multidisciplinary capabilities of the Cura Terrae group.

We're looking for an experienced Principal Ecological Consultant to join our Ecology team. This is an exciting opportunity for a technically strong ecologist who enjoys leading projects, mentoring colleagues, and building lasting client relationships whilst contributing to the growth of a thriving environmental consultancy.

The Role:

• Lead and manage ecological projects from inception through to completion, ensuring delivery to programme, budget and quality standards.
• Provide technical leadership and expert ecological advice across a range of projects and sectors.
• Oversee ecological surveys, assessments, mitigation strategies and monitoring programmes.
• Prepare, review and sign off high-quality technical reports and client deliverables.
• Mentor and develop junior team members, providing technical guidance and support.
• Manage client relationships and contribute to business development activities, proposals and tender submissions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated environmental solutions.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, guidance, industry standards and company procedures.
• Support innovation and continuous improvement across ecological service delivery.

What We’re Looking For:

• A degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biological Sciences or a related discipline.
• Full membership of CIEEM and ideally be working towards Chartered status.
• Significant experience delivering and managing ecological consultancy projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of ecological legislation, policy and best practice.
• Experience preparing and reviewing PEAs, EcIAs, Species Protection Plans and Habitats Regulations Assessments.
• Understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements and delivery.
• Experience using QGIS and/or ArcGIS Pro.
• Excellent communication, report-writing and client-facing skills.
• Experience mentoring or managing ecological professionals.
• A proactive, organised and commercially aware approach.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• 25 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Company pension.
• Career development, mentoring and progression opportunities.
• Supportive and collaborative culture.
• Access to a wide range of projects across multiple sectors.
• Opportunity to work on meaningful, nature-positive projects.
• Employee discounts, social events and volunteer days.

Cura Terrae is a Great Place to Work® certified organisation. We value teamwork, professionalism, and inclusivity, and we’re committed to supporting our people’s development, health, and wellbeing.

We actively support the development of our people and provide opportunities to grow across a diverse range of environmental disciplines.