Principal Ecologist (UK wide)

Jacobs; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Professional development support

Pension contributions up to 10%

Membership reimbursements

Annual leave flexibility

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Ecologist to join the UK Ecology Team, supporting major infrastructure projects and contributing to policy and biodiversity outcomes. You will lead ecological input on large-scale assignments, mentor junior colleagues, and collaborate across disciplines to deliver high-quality ecological solutions.

The role offers permanent opportunities across office locations nationwide, with hybrid working options and a strong commitment to professional development and inclusive

Qualifications

• Strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience.
• Chartered membership (or eligibility) of a relevant professional body.
• Proven track record in leading ecological input on large-scale projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with sharp attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Deliver major infrastructure projects across water, transport, and energy sectors.
• Apply expertise in Environmental Impact Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment, and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Collaborate across disciplines to integrate ecological requirements into design and delivery.
• Lead ecological monitoring programmes and manage surveys with high-quality data collection.
• Provide expert advice as the main client contact on large projects.
• Build cross-functional networks across geographies and cultures.
• Mentor colleagues and share knowledge through communities of practice and training events.
• Offer career pathway options including line management or technical leadership.

Skills

Terrestrial ecology

Leadership

Communications

Technical ecology

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Are you ready to take your ecological career to the next level? Join Jacobs’ UK Ecology Team as a Principal Ecologist and become part of a dynamic, forward-thinking organisation that’s making a real impact—locally and globally.

We’re hiring nationwide, with opportunities available in our offices across Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Peterborough and Reading. Wherever you’re based, you’ll find a welcoming team and exciting projects waiting for you.

At Jacobs, we don’t just offer jobs—we build careers. You’ll be joining a respected and ambitious company with a strong reputation for excellence and innovation. Our commitment to your growth is backed by

• Global Career Framework – chart your path with clarity and purpose
• Chartership Academy Programme – support to achieve professional accreditation
• Employee Networks & Communities of Practice – connect with over 200 ecologists in the UK & Ireland, and 600+ globally
• A culture of collaboration and sustainability – work on projects that matter

Whether you're looking to lead groundbreaking ecological assessments, mentor junior colleagues, or contribute to shaping environmental policy, Jacobs provides the platform to thrive.

Positions are available on a permanent full-time and part-time, job share or flexible basis.

The role will include

• Delivering major infrastructure projects across water, transport, and energy sectors for clients like Anglian Water, National Highways, Network Rail, and more
• Applying your expertise in Environmental Impact Assessment, Habitats Regulations Assessment, and/or Biodiversity Net Gain
• Collaborating across disciplines, ensuring ecological requirements are integrated into project design and delivery
• Leading ecological monitoring programmes, managing surveys and ensuring high‑quality data collection
• Providing expert advice, acting as the main point of contact for clients and stakeholders on large‑scale projects
• Building cross‑functional networks, working with specialists across geographies and cultures to develop effective solutions
• Mentoring and learning, sharing knowledge through global communities of practice, conferences, and training events
• We offer different career pathways to suit your strengths - whether you’re motivated by line management responsibilities or prefer to focus on technical expertise, progression is supported in both routes, with management being an option rather than a requirement

Here's what you'll need

• Strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience
• Chartered membership (or eligibility) of a relevant professional body
• Proven track record in leading ecological input on large-scale projects
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with sharp attention to detail
• High level of personal accountability and professionalism
• A technical specialism in terrestrial ecology—or broad experience with the ability to adapt quickly to new area

Our Culture

Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and diversity. We put people at the heart of our business and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected, and if we are diverse, we’re more creative. We accept people for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, mental health, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. This is reflected in our wide range of Global Employee Networks centred on inclusion and diversity – ACE, Careers, Enlace, Harambee, OneWorld, Prism, Women and Vetnet. Find out more about our employee networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain diverse talent. For greater online accessibility please visit www.vercida.com to view and access our roles. As a Disability Confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team.

Your application experience is important to us and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. We welcome feedback on our recruitment process and if you need more from us before deciding to join Jacobs then please let us know.

Our Benefits

• up to 10% company contribution into their pension,
• reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships,
• support to their local communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched‑funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations,
• opportunity to buy/sell annual leave

Wellbeing support and resources

• free employee medical cover and digital GP service, including support for obtaining formal diagnosis for ASD, ADHD and Tourette syndrome under Private Medical Insurance
• a mindfulness platform,
• dedicated Workplace Support 11 Counselling Consultations,
• confidential information & counselling service provided by Optum. Emotional Wellbeing Solutions is a free confidential information and counselling service available 24/7 via phone or online. Experienced consultants are available to discuss finance, legal, family matters and counselling can be provided for personal support,
• online demand fitness platform provided by Daily Burn,personalised financial planning and support provided by Origin, with 11 access to dedicated certified financial planners

Fertility and family benefits and support

• enhanced parental leave pay,
• fertility healthcare and family-forming benefit provided by Carrot. With Carrot, you can virtually chat with experts, explore educational resources, find a vetted provider, and use employer-sponsored funds to pay for care. Get support with understanding fertility health, preservation (egg, sperm, embryo), assisted reproduction (e.g., in vitro fertilisation), adoption, gestational surrogacy, donor assistance, pregnancy, menopause and low testosterone
• a free parental success solution and neurodiversity training benefit provided by RethinkCare Family. The family solution gives you and your family 24/7 access to behavioural health support tools and resources to help parents or caregivers of children raise happy, healthy and resilient children 11 digital & live support – unlimited access to Board Certified Behaviour Analysts and thousands of clinically validated audio/visual trainings, including support with ADHD & developmental disabilities
• Bridge the Gap is our parental transition programme which aims to make Jacobs employer of choice for working parents, supporting them before, during and after the life‑changing milestone of becoming a parent. Bridge the Gap supports our efforts to create an environment where we can bring our authentic selves to work and achieve our full potential

Work-life balance and flexibility is a key focus area for Jacobs.

• hybrid working,
• part‑time roles,
• flexible working hours including compressed hours (working full time hours over fewer days),
• annualised hours contract (working a defined number of hours over a year with an estimated average weekly hour pattern),
• desk‑based only roles.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.Find out more about ourJacobs Employee Networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https//www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.