Principal Ecologist

Bimplus; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Enhanced leave

Pension contributions

Death in service cover

Protected CPD

Professional membership support

Private medical insurance

Wellbeing support

Cycle-to-work provision

Non-contractual growth bonus

Job summary

Hunter Dunning is seeking a GIS Specialist (Geographical Information Systems) to lead ecological commissions across energy infrastructure and residential development projects. The role is based from one of several regional offices with hybrid working and requires travel across northern England.

You will manage EcIA, HRA and BNG projects, mentor junior ecologists, review technical reports, and contribute to bids while developing ecology services for future growth.

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or equivalent.
• Strong EcIA, HRA and BNG expertise.
• Proven project and budget management experience.
• CIEEM membership or equivalent professional membership.
• UK driving licence required for travel between offices and project sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead ecological commissions from inception through completion.
• Review reports and maintain technical quality.
• Mentor ecologists and support consistent standards.
• Manage clients, budgets, resources and programmes.
• Contribute to bids and tenders; collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Represent the practice at industry events and help grow ecology services.

Skills

EcIA expertise

HRA expertise

BNG expertise

Project management

Budget management

Education

Degree in Ecology / Environmental Science

Job description

GIS Specialist (Geographical Information Systems)

Location

York, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh

Employment Type

Permanent, full-time or part-time

Job Overview

A permanent opportunity for a Principal Ecologist to lead ecological commissions across energy infrastructure and residential development projects. Based from one of several regional offices with hybrid working and travel across northern England, the position suits an experienced ecological consultant with strong technical, project management and mentoring capabilities.

Role & Responsibilities

• Lead ecological commissions from inception through completion
• Manage EcIA, HRA and BNG projects
• Review reports and maintain technical quality
• Mentor ecologists and support consistent standards
• Manage clients, budgets, resources and programmes
• You will contribute to bids and tenders, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and represent the practice at relevant industry events. The position combines technical delivery with responsibility for developing ecology services and supporting future team growth.

Skills & Experience Required

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or equivalent
• Strong EcIA, HRA and BNG expertise
• Proven project and budget management experience
• CIEEM membership or equivalent professional membership
• You must demonstrate excellent technical reporting and review skills, alongside detailed knowledge of UK planning policy, ecological legislation and best practice. A full UK driving licence is required for travel between offices and project sites.
• Protected species licensing, major infrastructure, NSIP, mentoring or line management experience would be beneficial. Applicants should be comfortable maintaining client relationships while working collaboratively across environmental and development disciplines.

Salary & Benefits

£55,000 – £70,000, hybrid working and flexible full-time or part-time arrangements.

• enhanced leave
• pension contributions
• death in service cover
• protected CPD
• professional membership support
• private medical insurance
• wellbeing support
• cycle-to-work provision
• non-contractual growth bonus

About Hunter Dunning

Hunter Dunning is a specialist property and built environment recruitment consultancy established in 2004, focused on quality and long-term partnerships in the UK and Ireland property and construction market. We specialise in full lifecycle property recruitment, covering architecture, interior design, surveying, land and planning, fire safety and wider construction roles.