Principal Ecologist

JR United Kingdom; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an experienced ecological professional to join their dynamic team in Scotland. This role offers the chance to manage and oversee ecological projects across diverse sectors, including renewable energy and infrastructure. You will play a key role in delivering high-quality ecological consultancy services while mentoring junior staff. With a strong focus on professional development, this position provides a collaborative environment where your contributions will directly impact sustainability goals. If you have a passion for ecology and a drive for excellence, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Company Pension

Excellent Healthcare Offering

Travel and Life Insurance

Critical Illness Cover

Flexible Working Hours

25 Days Annual Leave

Family Friendly Policies

Qualifications

• Experience in ecological consultancy and project management.
• Ability to mentor and manage teams in ecological specialisms.

Responsibilities

• Manage ecological aspects of projects in various sectors.
• Lead and mentor a growing team while ensuring project delivery.

Skills

Ecological Consultancy

Project Management

Field Survey Skills

Business Development

Client Management

Education

Relevant Degree Level Qualification

Membership of CIEEM or Equivalent

Tools

Environmental Impact Assessments

Ecological Impact Assessments

Job description

SLR has an excellent opportunity for an experienced ecological professional to join our European team at SLR’s Associate or Principal level and based in our Scotland Team ideally near one of our regional offices in Glasgow or Edinburgh (remote home working may be considered). You will play a managerial role in undertaking and delivering a range of projects across our business sectors, particularly including Renewables/Power, Energy Infrastructure and Built Environment. This role presents an exciting opportunity to be responsible for the delivery of ecology inputs to a wide range of projects, including renewables and residential development and corporate biodiversity policy and strategy.

With over 100 experienced Ecology professionals undertaking a wide range of projects throughout the UK and Ireland, SLR Consulting leads the way in providing exemplar advice and services. We have a real passion for what we do and due to continued commercial success we have fantastic opportunities for experienced professionals to become part of the SLR team.

The successful candidate would be able to demonstrate skills in a range of different areas of ecological consultancy practice, able to manage and mentor others in their chosen specialism and would ideally have an ecological specialism, whether it is habitat survey, protected species, ornithology or another skill. The candidate would also be able to demonstrate experience of business development, client and project management, preferably gained in a commercial consultancy environment.

As a forward-thinking consultancy with ambitious growth plans, SLR is a global consultancy and offers significant potential for career development and enhancement depending on performance. Our One Team culture, and straightforward approach to project and budget management gives everyone the opportunity to progress and to work on interesting projects with valued clients.

The Role

This key position you will manage and oversee ecological aspects of projects, in addition to providing support and mentorship for the growing team.

You would likely lead on:

1. Management of ecological aspects of development and land management projects, advising clients on schemes in the renewable energy, built environment, infrastructure and mining and minerals sectors.
2. Design and delivery of post-consent habitat management and monitoring strategies.
3. Preparation of fee proposals and scope of works, report writing and technical review of peer and sub-contractor reports.
4. Supervision and mentoring of ecology staff. Based on skills and experience, the role may also include staff management and leading work on particular ecological specialisms.
5. Scheduling, managing and ensuring delivery of complex ecological survey work packages on time and budget, using in-house and occasionally sub-contractor staff.
6. Liaising with other SLR technical teams on a variety of subjects including planning, landscape, hydrology, noise and air quality whilst working closely with senior members of the ecology team in other SLR offices in the UK and other regions.
7. Seeking opportunities through coordinated business development to expand ecology and other services and capabilities in the region.

About us

SLR are global leaders in environmental and advisory solutions helping our clients achieve their sustainability goals. We are a consultancy with over 3000+ employees across 6 regions – including over 1000 staff across Europe. SLR’s ‘one team’ culture is at the heart of our business; providing a collaborative and supportive environment for professional development. Along with competitive salaries, our people enjoy a comprehensive benefits package with a company pension plus excellent healthcare offering, travel and life insurance, critical illness cover and a structured career framework with regular reviews offering outstanding opportunities for progression. Alongside 25 days annual leave, SLR offer flexible, agile and hybrid working which enables staff to tailor hours worked around core hours, and our family friendly policies help balance the needs of professional and family life.

About you

With a passion for ecology, drive to deliver high quality work and for assisting the career development of other ecological professionals, you'll use your ecological specialism, whether it is habitat survey, protected species, ornithology or another skill, also able to demonstrate knowledge in a range of different areas of ecological consultancy practice. With an ability to lead and mentor others in your chosen specialism, you'll also have experience of business development, client and project management, preferably gained in a commercial consultancy environment.

In addition you will bring:

1. Demonstrable field survey skills, including surveying UK habitats, and survey and mitigation design for protected species.
2. Demonstrable skills in project management, planning work in line with health and safety procedures, budget management and technical report preparation.
3. Experience in the production and management of ecology chapters of Environmental Impact Assessments / Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitat Regulations Assessment.
4. Experience in producing ecological enhancement plans and designing appropriate measures into schemes from an early project stage.
5. A track record in project winning, delivery and management.
6. Work experience within a range of sectors including renewables/power, infrastructure, built environmental and mining and minerals.
7. Relevant degree level qualification plus appropriate level of membership of CIEEM or equivalent.
8. Full driving licence valid in the UK.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at SLR

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, and our expectations go beyond purely complying with legislation. Through our Regional DE&I Committees, Global Council and Employee Networks, we foster an inclusive environment where all individuals regardless of their background can thrive.

We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of their background, including those from groups that are currently underrepresented at SLR, such as: LGBTQ+ people, ethnic minority groups, women, and individuals with visible or invisible disabilities, including those who are neurodivergent.

For more information on our commitment to DE&I, and the great work we are doing, please click here: https://www.slrconsulting.com/about/making-sustainability-happen/ and scroll to the bottom of the page.

To apply

If you are interested in this opportunity, we'd love to hear from you, so click apply or you can submit your application at: www.slrconsulting.com/careers.

Should you require any special adjustments throughout the recruitment process with us, please let us know. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, we seek to ensure all applicants have equitable support when applying to SLR.