Principal Ecologist

TN United Kingdom; Bicester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the Utilities and Infrastructure sector is seeking an Ecology Team Leader to drive sustainable development projects. The role involves leading a team, authoring ecology reports, and engaging with clients and stakeholders to ensure compliance with environmental legislation. The successful candidate will have a strong background in ecology, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage complex ecological projects across the UK.

Benefits

Annual bonus scheme

25 days annual leave plus 1 day for birthday

Vitality Health Membership

Flexible working

Pension Scheme

Life insurance (4x Base Salary)

Free on-site parking

Cycle to work scheme

26 Weeks paid Maternity Leave

2 Weeks paid Paternity Leave

Qualifications

• Hold a BSc and/or MSc degree in Ecology or a closely related subject.
• Have sound knowledge of the UK planning system and environmental legislation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the department and a small team with big plans for growth.
• Author a range of typical ecology reports (PEA/EcIA/EIA/HRA).
• Engage in development and design proposals, advising on site location.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Ecological Mitigation

Education

BSc in Ecology

MSc in Ecology

Tools

BNG Assessments

UK Habitat Classification

Job description

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Your newpany
My client is proud to be leading the way in the Utilities and Infrastructure sector, helping to bring the UK and Ireland closer to Net Zero every day. Their teams of land, environmental, and geospatial specialists work together to secure the consents needed to deliver critical infrastructure projects.

Their comprehensive services include land access and assembly, agricultural liaison, planning, ecology, environmental impact assessments, and geospatial mapping—each playing a vital role in enabling sustainable development.

Your new role

Their day-to-day work is varied, working on permitted development projects through to large infrastructure projects through protected landscapes in some of the most remote parts of the country. They are one of the largest suppliers of land and property services to the offshore wind market and currently provide environment and planning services to a range of utilities providers. They work with their clients helping them deliver improved water quality in our rivers and all kinds of renewable energy technologies including solar, BESS, onshore wind, hydrogen, and many more—so we can all look forward to Net Zero and a brighter sustainable future!

• Lead the department and a small team with big plans for growth, where you will be given the opportunity to develop your career and help shape the future of the ecology team.
• Author a range of typical ecology reports (PEA/EcIA/EIA/HRA/BNG/LEMPs/CEMPs); EIA/HRA expertise and peer review reports highly desirable for Principal/Associate roles.
• Work with internal and external teams, liaising with senior colleagues to provide advice to clients.
• Assist in negotiations with Natural England, County Ecologists, Local Authority planning officers, and stakeholders.
• Engage in development and design proposals, including advising on appropriate site location and construction methodologies, assisting with gaining the necessary consents and licenses to deliver projects.
• Work within the team to provide ecological advice and innovative mitigation solutions across a range of sites and schemes.
• Liaise with clients, including engineers, developers, and landowners, providing ecological advice to facilitate development.
• Help provide all necessary assistance to unlock utility project development in SSSI, SAC, SPA, RAMSAR sites, including applying for SSSI consents and other permissions.
• Gain experience and knowledge to contribute to Environmental Impact Assessment screening, scoping, and chapters, working with internal and external specialists and environmental stakeholders.
• Provide advice on the need for HRAs and lead their preparation and completion with limited input from others.
• Travel to meetings, client offices, and site surveys across multiple projects.
• Contribute to team development by providing in-house training and support to junior team members (line management experience desirable for Principal/Associate roles).
• Prepare fee proposals, tender applications, and manage project finances.
• Lead and manage complex ecological projects as part of a diverse portfolio.
• Design, procure, and manage a range of protected species surveys and mitigation through in-house ecologists and our sub-consultant network.

What you'll need to succeed

• Hold a BSc and/or MSc degree in Ecology or a closely related subject.
• Have, or be eligible for, CIEEM membership.
• Have sound knowledge of the UK planning system and environmental legislation.
• Be proficient in BNG assessments, able to interpret and evaluate the Biodiversity Metric to deliver pragmatic solutions to clients (experience in securing off-site BNG solutions highly desirable).
• Able to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues, and lead negotiations with Natural England, County Ecologists, Local Authority planning officers, and stakeholders.
• Hold protected species survey licences (great crested newts and bats highly desirable).
• Be proficient in UK Habitat Classification and habitat condition assessments (FISC level 4 highly desirable but not essential).
• Be able to design and implement ecological mitigation projects, and habitat creation/enhancement for BNG.
• Be comfortable working independently and as part of a small team looking to expand across the UK. Some overnight accommodation may be required.
• Hold a full UK driving licence, insured for business purposes, and willing to travel for client meetings and site surveys.

What you'll get in return

• Annual bonus scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus 1 day to celebrate your birthday
• Vitality Health Membership (including Private healthcare, subsidised gym membership, and other discounts)
• Flexible working through our ‘Flexible Advantage’ supporting working families & your work/life balance
• Pension Scheme via The Peoples Pension
• Life insurance (4x Base Salary)
• Free on-site parking in non-city centre offices
• Cycle to work scheme
• 26 Weeks paid Maternity Leave
• 2 Weeks paid Paternity Leave
• BHN Extras – provides discounted gift cards for hundreds of popular retailers
• Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme (provided by Octopus Electric Vehicles) effective after 1 year of service
• Sabbatical Policy effective after 3 years of service
• Professional development – paid study leave
• Military service paid leave (days per year)
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) plus wider Mental Health & Wellbeing support
• 2 company-wide events every year, in addition to multiple office socials throughout the year