Principal Ecologist

Brown & Co; St. Neots, Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Performance bonus

Life Assurance

Private medical cover

Travel insurance

Pension scheme

Enhanced parental leave

Holiday buy back

Long service award

Volunteer day

Job summary

Brown & Co is seeking a Principal Ecologist to lead and inspire a five-strong ecology team across Cambridge and St Neots. The role requires a strong in-office presence to mentor junior ecologists and drive complex ecological projects.

You will deliver high-level technical expertise across Central/Eastern England, manage programmes and budgets, and lead client relationships while exploring wider natural capital opportunities. Smart Working allows balance with in-office leadership.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Full membership of CIEEM.
• 5–8 years’ experience in ecological consultancy or similar.
• Experience leading technical work: PEA, BNG assessment, HMMP, EcIA, HRA writing.
• Possesses at least one protected species licence (e.g., GCN licence).
• Good business understanding: commercial drivers, profitability, client needs.
• Proven experience supervising or mentoring a team.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of ecologists with performance management and training.
• Oversee delivery of ecological projects from inception to completion, including programme management and budget oversight.
• Provide expert technical advice on habitats, protected species, BNG, and planning legislation.
• Ensure quality assurance for reports, surveys, and impact assessments.
• Lead business development: identify opportunities, prepare fee proposals, maintain client relations.
• Support development of services related to natural capital and green finance.

Education

Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related field

CIEEM membership

5–8 years’ ecological consultancy experience

Proven leadership of technical work (PEA, BNG, HMMP, EcIA, HRA)

Protected species licence (e.g. GCN)

Business awareness and client needs understanding

Experience mentoring/supervising team

Job description

We’re seeking an accomplished and forward-thinking Principal Ecologist to lead and inspire our established team of five Ecologists. If you’re looking for the independence and autonomy to shape and grow a thriving ecology service, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

You’ll be confident in building strong relationships and collaborating seamlessly with internal teams and external stakeholders. Based between our Cambridge and St Neots offices, this role requires a consistent in-office presence to support, mentor, and develop our junior Ecologists.

This is a senior position with responsibility for winning, leading and delivering complex ecological projects, alongside providing high-level technical expertise. The role will primarily focus on projects across Central/Eastern England.

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of ecologists, including performance management, mentoring, and training
• Oversee the delivery of ecological projects from inception through to completion, including programme management and budget oversight
• Provide expert technical advice on ecological matters, including habitats, protected species, BNG, and legislation across planning and nature
• Delivery quality assurance on high quality reports, surveys, and impact assessments in line with professional standards
• Lead business development activity, including identifying opportunities, preparing fee proposals, and building long-term client relationships
• Support the development of new services, in particular relating to wider natural capital and green finance opportunities

Requirements

• Degree (or equivalent) in Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related field
• Full membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
• 5–8 years’ experience in ecological consultancy or a similar environment
• Experienced leading technical work including PEA, BNG assessment, HMMP, EcIA and HRA technical writing
• Holds at least one protected species licence (e.g. GCN licence)
• Good business knowledge, with an understanding of commercial drivers, project profitability, and client needs
• Proven experience managing or supervising a team

Desirable experience and qualifications

• FISC level 4
• Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) experience
• CEnv or CEcol
• Bat licence (level 2 or above)
• CSCS accredited
• MoRPH accredited
• Other protected species licences

Finding the right people is important to us and transferrable skills are always welcome. We value potential and are open to candidates who may not have every listed skill.

• Competitive salary and car allowance
• Opportunity to earn a performance-based bonus
• Holiday scheme starting at 25 days holiday increasing by 1 day each year to 28 days after 3 years of service.
• Life Assurance of four times your basic salary
• Private Medical Cover including Westfield Health cashplan (after passed probationary period)
• Travel Insurance (after passed probationary period)
• Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
• Enhanced Maternity, Paternity, adoption and shared parental leave benefits
• Holiday Buy Back Scheme
• Long Service AwardsOne Volunteering Day for your chosen charity each year

We are an equal opportunities employer and do not tolerate discriminatory behaviour of any kind, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Core working hours are Monday – Friday 9.00am – 17.30pm.

This is a permanent full-time position based on 37.5 hours (Monday – Friday). We also operate a ‘Smart Working’ policy, enabling our employees to enjoy a work/life balance.