Principal Ecologist | UK‑Wide Leadership & Impact

isepglobal; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contributions up to 10%

Health coverage and medical support

CPD opportunities and professional dev

Volunteer and charity matched-funding

Life assurance 4x salary

Wellbeing resources

Networking and global ecology team

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to lead the Birmingham ecology team and contribute to UK-wide leadership. You will combine strategic direction with hands‑on leadership, guiding projects across water, transport and energy infrastructure.

You will serve as the go‑to expert for clients and regulators, build strong relationships, and mentor colleagues to deliver high‑quality ecological solutions while expanding the team’s impact.

Qualifications

• Experience leading ecology teams within energy/water infrastructure projects.
• Strong client-facing and regulatory engagement.
• Willingness to travel UK & Ireland as needed.
• Chartered status or working towards Chartered.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic direction for the Birmingham ecology team and contribute to UK-wide leadership.
• Provide high‑level, trusted advice to clients, stakeholders and regulators.
• Build strong client relationships and represent Jacobs externally.
• Oversee deliverables such as Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain and Habitats Regulations Assessments.
• Design and oversee ecological monitoring programs and survey strategies.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated solutions and identify new work.
• Promote the ecology team’s capabilities across the wider business and externally.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Line management

Client engagement

Ecology expertise

Habitat Regulations

Project bidding

Education

Chartered status (or in progress)

MSc/PhD in Ecology or related field

Tools

GIS

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to lead the Birmingham ecology team and contribute to UK-wide leadership. You will combine strategic direction with hands‑on leadership, guiding projects across water, transport and energy infrastructure.

You will serve as the go‑to expert for clients and regulators, build strong relationships, and mentor colleagues to deliver high‑quality ecological solutions while expanding the team’s impact.