Principal Ecologist & Team Lead — Infrastructure (Flexible)

VIQU Energy; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Car

Referral bonus (up to £1,000)

Job summary

VIQU Energy is seeking a Principal Ecologist to lead and grow its ecological consultancy function across UK infrastructure projects. You will provide technical ecological guidance, oversee surveys and assessments, and ensure compliance with biodiversity requirements throughout design and construction.

You will manage a team of ecologists, deliver high-quality reports, and support business development while collaborating with engineers, regulators and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering habitat and protected species surveys.
• Experience leading, managing and developing teams of ecologists.
• Good knowledge of UK ecological legislation, policies and guidance.
• Experience delivering habitat and protected species surveys, including UKHab and BNG assessments.
• Proven experience with Habitats Regulations Assessments, SSSI applications and ecological licensing.
• Strong technical report writing and project management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of ecologists, providing technical guidance and support.
• Oversee ecological surveys, assessments and reporting across infrastructure projects.
• Lead Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments and protected species licensing.
• Provide ecological advice throughout project design, construction and maintenance.
• Prepare and review Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA) and technical reports.
• Develop mitigation strategies, ecological enhancements and nature-based solutions.
• Work closely with engineers, project managers, regulators and external stakeholders.
• Manage project budgets, programmes, resources and consultancy deliverables.
• Support business development and the continued growth of the ecology team.

Skills

Ecology consultancy

Team leadership

Project management

Technical reporting

Habitat surveys

Protected species licensing

GIS proficiency

Stakeholder liaison

UK habitats legislation

Education

CEcol accreditation

CIEEM membership

Tools

UKHab

GIS

Job description

VIQU Energy is seeking a Principal Ecologist to lead and grow its ecological consultancy function across UK infrastructure projects. You will provide technical ecological guidance, oversee surveys and assessments, and ensure compliance with biodiversity requirements throughout design and construction.

You will manage a team of ecologists, deliver high-quality reports, and support business development while collaborating with engineers, regulators and external stakeholders.