Principal Ecologist/Associate Director (Co-ecology)

Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual profit-related bonus

Professional development budget

Flexible hybrid working

Job summary

Co-ecology, a Sussex-based ecological consultancy, seeks a Principal Ecologist / Associate Director to lead strategic direction, technical development and staff growth. The role focuses on managing projects, client relationships and expanding into new markets, with mentoring across the team.

You will drive technical excellence, oversee complexity of ecological assessments, and play a key role in shaping the company’s future while working in a hybrid East Sussex setting.

Qualifications

• Strong background in ecological consultancy.
• People-centred leadership with emotional intelligence.
• Desire to develop self and others.
• Strong botanical skills and expertise in UK protected species and habitats.
• BER registration would be advantageous.
• Adopting current and emerging technologies is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects and manage client relationships.
• Oversee and complete ecological assessments (BNG, EIA, HRA).
• Provide leadership on species licensing.
• Mentor and support the consultancy team.
• Supervise deliverables and ensure legal compliance.
• Manage BNG lifecycle delivery and licences.
• Advise clients and stakeholders; contribute to growth.

Skills

Ecological consultancy

Leadership

Client management

Mentoring

Technical leadership

Education

BER registration (advantage)

Tools

Drone surveys

Job description

We are hiring! – Principal Ecologist / Associate Director

We are seeking either an Associate Director or an experienced Principal Ecologist wishing to make the transition towards greater responsibility and strategic leadership — both technical and in company management — to help Co-ecology through the next phase of its development. Excellent opportunities await the right candidate.

About Us

Co-ecology are Consultant Ecologists to Industry – an independent ecological consultancy based in Sussex, providing expert advice and pragmatic solutions tailored to diverse clients across various sectors and project scales.

We operate a lean, efficient model built around a core team of senior ecologists, each with 7–10+ years of experience, supported by ecologists and assistant ecologists plus a trusted network of associates and seasonal surveyors. This lets us work closely with our clients while doing away with unnecessary management — and it’s how we’ve built a strong reputation for professionalism, reliability, innovation and technical development.

Now in our sixth year of trading, we have a growing team delivering schemes across the UK — including different sectors such as leisure, infrastructure, historic buildings, councils and statutory agencies — recognised as pioneers we provide our ground-breaking drone services to other consultancies as well as our own clients. Our structure allows senior staff to focus on deliverables rather than administration, less burdensome bureaucracy and paper work, more time on field and technical work

The Role

The successful applicant will have a genuine opportunity to help shape the future of the business playing a key role in strategic decision making, technical development, staff recruitment and growth and expansion into new markets. Leading projects, managing client relationships, and overseeing, completing ecological assessments, and providing mentoring and guidance to the consultancy team.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead projects and manage client relationships.


• Oversee and complete ecological assessments (BNG, EIA, HRA etc.).


• Provide leadership and guidance on species licensing.


• Provide mentoring and guidance to the consultancy team.


• Supervise project deliverables and ensure compliance with legal requirements.


• Manage and implement BNG life-cycle delivery and mitigation licences.


• Offer expert advice to clients and other stakeholders.


• Manage budgets and contribute to the business’s growth and development.

Requirements

• Strong background in ecological consultancy.


• A people-centred leadership style, with excellent emotional intelligence and self-awareness.


• A genuine desire to develop both yourself and those around you.


• Strong botanical skills and/or demonstrable expertise in the survey, assessment and mitigation of protected species and habitats within the UK.


• Registered consultant on BER would be a distinct advantage.


• An aptitude for current and emerging technologies although not essential is desirable.

What We Offer

• Annual profit-related bonus.


• Generous training and professional development budget.


• Attractive office in a rural location.


• Support for chartership and conference attendance.


• Genuine opportunities to help shape the future direction of the business.


• Full-time hybrid role based in East Sussex, with some flexibility for remote working.

Details

• Company Co-ecology


• Location South East England (including London)