Principal Ecologist

Jobtailor; Tetbury; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays

Life assurance

Healthcare insurance

Paid professional memberships

Investment in personal development

Cycle to Work Scheme

Job summary

Origin Environmental in Tetbury is seeking a Principal Ecologist to lead ecological consultancy projects and manage a high-performing team. This senior role requires robust ecological knowledge and excellent communication skills. You'll oversee projects from inception to completion, ensuring quality and compliance while driving business development.

The candidate should have a degree in Ecology or related field and be a Full Member of CIEEM. The position offers a hybrid working environment and a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare and professional memberships.

Qualifications

• Full Member of CIEEM or equivalent chartered professional body.
• Demonstrable ecological consultancy experience across projects.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead ecological consultancy projects from inception to completion.
• Provide technical oversight across ecological projects.
• Manage budgets and resources for successful delivery.

Skills

Species and/or habitat survey

Designing environmental management plans

Communicating technical information

Project management

Education

Degree in Ecology, Biological Sciences, or Environmental Studies

Full Member of CIEEM (MCIEEM)

Job description

Role Overview

As a CIEEM Registered Practice, we are committed to delivering high standards of professional practice, ethics and quality. The Principal Ecologist plays a key role in maintaining these standards while contributing to the continued growth and reputation of the business and the wider profession.

This is a senior technical and leadership role, responsible for managing ecological projects and supporting the development of a high‑performing team. The successful candidate will deliver high‑quality ecological consultancy services, provide technical leadership, build strong client relationships and contribute to business development. Excellent communication skills, sound ecological knowledge and commercial awareness are essential.

Prerequisites

• Full Member of CIEEM (MCIEEM) or an equivalent chartered professional body.
• Degree in Ecology, Biological Sciences, Environmental Studies or a related discipline.
• Demonstrable ecological consultancy experience across a range of sectors and project scales.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver ecological consultancy projects from inception through to completion.
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance across a range of ecological projects.
• Manage project programmes, budgets and resources to ensure successful delivery.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, regulators and project teams.
• Support business development through networking, tender preparation and identifying new opportunities.
• Mentor, develop and, where appropriate, line‑manage members of the ecology team.
• Promote high standards of health and safety, quality assurance and professional practice.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated environmental solutions.

Essential Competencies

Candidates must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:

• Species and/or habitat survey (S1‑S3)
• Designing environmental management and/or mitigation plans (M2)
• Habitats regulations assessments, environmental impact assessment, ecological assessment and/or biodiversity net gain assessment (A2‑4,6)
• Advising on legal, policy and international standards and regulatory compliance (P3‑4)
• Communication of technical information effectively to a range of audiences (C1)
• Working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams (F2)
• Managing quality, resources and operational efficiency (OM1,4)
• Project management including programme and financial management (PRM1)
• Information and document management and/or effective use of information technology (IM1‑2)

Desirable Competencies

• Environmental management, including ecological management planning, implementation, risk management and specialist ecological advice (M1, M3, M6).
• Strategic Environmental Assessment and/or environmental valuation (A1, A5).
• Contributing to professional guidance, standards or industry best practice (P1).
• Interpreting ecological research to produce evidence‑based conclusions (SM3).
• Undertaking standard and complex risk assessments (HS1).
• Partnership working, consultation and stakeholder engagement (F1).
• Setting objectives for resource efficiency and sustainability (OM2).
• Recruiting, leading, developing and motivating ecological teams to achieve business and project objectives (PEM1‑PEM2).

Benefits

• Interesting, diverse and meaningful projects that support our vision
• Industry‑aligned salary and comprehensive benefits package
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Life assurance
• Healthcare insurance
• Confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Paid professional memberships, including CIEEM (where applicable)
• Ongoing investment in your development through internal and external training
• Regular performance and career development reviews
• Hybrid and flexible working opportunities
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies, including enhanced family leave
• A supportive and inclusive culture (eg. Menopause and Neurodiversity Café)
• Annual whole‑team community action day
• Staff appreciation events
• Cycle to Work Scheme

We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and are proud to be building a diverse, inclusive team where everyone can grow, contribute and feel valued.