Principal Ecologist

Aecom; Cambourne; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career development opportunities

AECOM University and volunteering days

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Principal Ecologist to lead and shape ecological consultancy across the UK, delivering high-quality outputs for major projects in energy, infrastructure and the environment.

You will manage multi-disciplinary teams, oversee projects from scope to budget, mentor junior ecologists, and contribute to the growth of our National Nature team through hybrid working and client engagement across public and private sectors.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in ecology or an associated subject.
• Membership of a professional institution and working towards Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Environmentalist status.
• Experience leading ecological surveys/licensing/impact assessment.
• Experience in work-winning, managing projects, budgets and stakeholder discussions.
• Experience reviewing technical work and supporting wider team members.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support delivery of high-quality ecological consultancy and advisory services to both internal and external clients
• Oversee plan, schedule and organise all phases of ecological project work, ensuring necessary resources, budgets and controls are in place to meet both programme and budget requirements.
• Support development of technically robust and pragmatic solutions to complex ecological issues.
• Lead and support production of ecology chapters for environmental statements and protected species licence applications.
• Author or technically check project deliverables to ensure high quality outputs.
• Support the continued development of our technical capabilities.

Skills

Ecology

Project leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Licensing & surveys

Budget management

Education

Degree in ecology or related subject

Chartered Ecologist or working towards/obtained

Job description

Job Description

Are you ready to join a team of talented ecologist’s and shape the future of the environment?

Join our dynamic Nature team as an Principal Ecologist in our growing Newcastle, Manchester, Cambridge, Liverpool, Basingstoke, Croydon, Leeds, Nottingham and St Albans (though other locations may be considered), and benefit through our flexible hybrid working model. At AECOM, we’re at the forefront of innovation, delivering an exceptional portfolio of Ecology programs and projects through long-term partnerships with key clients.

Presently, we are working on a wide range of projects, notably in the power and renewables, infrastructure, environment and transport sectors, as well as collaborating with other technical disciplines such as landscape, engineering, sustainability and drainage. Our recent projects have included several of the largest solar farms to have gained consent in the UK; energy transition projects; habitats regulations assessments of various plans and projects for local authorities; and masterplanning of new residential developments for local authorities.

Here’s what you’ll do:

• Lead and support delivery of high-quality ecological consultancy and advisory services to both internal and external clients
• Oversee plan, schedule and organise all phases of ecological project work, ensuring necessary resources, budgets and controls are in place to meet both programme and budget requirements.
• Support development of technically robust and pragmatic solutions to complex ecological issues.
• Lead and support production of ecology chapters for environmental statements and protected species licence applications.
• Author or technically check project deliverables to ensure high quality outputs.
• Support the continued development of our technical capabilities.

Come grow with us.

Become part of our dynamic Nature business, which boasts around 240 professional experts on arboriculture, forestry, ground water, surface water and ecology. The team includes national and global leaders located across the UK&I. From species licence holders to experts in impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, enhancement, and management. At AECOM, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued.

Enjoy the Perks.

At AECOM, you'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

Qualifications

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Degree (or equivalent) in ecology or an associated subject.
• Membership of an appropriate professional institution and working towards or obtained Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Environmentalist status, and a holder of protected species survey and/or mitigation licences.
• Experience of leading and managing ecological surveys/licensing/impact assessment, as demonstrated by suitable professional experience.
• Experience in work-winning, managing projects, project budgets and leading stakeholder discussions.
• Experience of reviewing technical work and supporting wider team members.

Additional Information

Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity serious. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address [e-mail] if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.