Principal Ecologist (UK wide)

Jacobs; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A global consulting firm is seeking a Principal Ecologist to join their UK team. The role involves leading ecological assessments for major infrastructure projects while mentoring junior staff and collaborating with diverse teams. Candidates should have significant industry experience and a chartered membership in ecology. The position offers flexible work options including part-time and hybrid arrangements, and is located in Manchester as well as other UK cities.

Benefits

Global Career Framework

Chartership Academy Programme

Wellbeing support including medical cover and counselling services

Enhanced parental leave pay

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading ecological input on large‑scale projects.
• Significant industry experience in ecology.
• Technical specialism in terrestrial ecology.

Responsibilities

• Deliver major infrastructure projects across water, transport, and energy.
• Apply expertise in Environmental Impact Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Lead ecological monitoring programmes and ensure data quality.

Skills

Strong background in terrestrial ecology

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

High level of personal accountability

Ability to adapt quickly to new areas

Education

Chartered membership of a relevant professional body

Job description

Market Environmental

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.

We aim to embed inclusion and diversity in everything we do. 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.

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 1 : 1 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 1 : 1 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: 1 : 1 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

#LI‑NC2

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 are a disability confident employer. 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 will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria.

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. 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 our recruitment portal.