Principal Ecologist

Shirley Parsons; England; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

24 days holiday plus bank holidays

Pension

Paid professional membership

Tailored development support

Wellbeing initiatives

TOIL/overtime options

Job summary

An independent environmental consultancy is seeking ecologists at various levels to join their growing team in the UK. This role offers the chance to work on diverse ecological projects across infrastructure and development, involving surveys, project management, and client engagement. The ideal candidates will have a strong background in consultancy and wildlife legislation. The company promotes a supportive culture and offers competitive salary, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience in construction or infrastructure environments.
• Strong knowledge of protected species work.
• Ability to manage projects and develop others.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support diverse ecological projects.
• Conduct surveys and design mitigation.
• Engage with clients and mentor junior colleagues.

Skills

Consultancy experience

Wildlife legislation understanding

Project management

Mentoring

Job description

Our client is an independent Environmental Consultancy delivering practical, science-led solutions across infrastructure and development. Following significant project wins, they are growing their ecology team and are open to speaking with ecologists from Ecologist through to Principal level.

You’ll join a well-established, highly respected team known for collaboration, technical quality and long tenure. The culture is open and supportive, with genuine autonomy and the opportunity to influence projects - and, at senior levels, help shape the direction of the ecology function as it continues to grow.

Depending on your experience, you’ll lead or support a diverse portfolio of ecological projects across infrastructure, highways and development schemes. From surveys and mitigation design through to project management, client engagement and mentoring junior colleagues, you’ll play a key role in delivering work to a high standard while balancing the realities of project delivery.

They are particularly keen to hear from ecologists with consultancy experience in construction or infrastructure environments, a strong understanding of wildlife legislation and protected species work, and - at senior levels - experience managing projects and supporting others’ development.

In return, you’ll receive a competitive salary aligned to level, 24 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, pension, paid professional membership, tailored development support, hybrid working, wellbeing initiatives and TOIL/overtime options.

For ecologists looking for a supportive team, meaningful project work and clear progression - whether stepping up or already operating at Principal level - this is an opportunity to grow with a consultancy entering its next phase.