Senior Biodiversity & Conservation Leader: Strategy & Impact

idibu; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car Allowance

26 days annual leave

Job summary

Thames Water, the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, is seeking a Biodiversity & Conservation Manager to lead a specialist team and shape environmental strategy across our region. This role drives nature recovery, regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship while managing budgets and external partners.

Hybrid work with site visits 2–3 days weekly. The successful candidate will oversee WINEP projects, manage INNS programmes, and collaborate with regulators such as Natural England

Qualifications

• Experience in biodiversity, ecology, conservation or environmental management.
• Experience leading, motivating and developing specialist technical teams.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience managing environmental compliance, risk and regulatory obligations.
• Knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements.
• Proven experience managing programmes, budgets, consultants and external suppliers.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to influence at all levels.
• A degree or equivalent in Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation, Environmental Management or related discipline.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Leading, coaching and developing a team of biodiversity, ecology and conservation specialists.
• Providing strategic oversight of biodiversity, ecological and heritage compliance activities.
• Shaping strategies, standards and policies to embed nature recovery and environmental stewardship across the business.
• Delivering biodiversity commitments including WINEP projects and Biodiversity Performance Commitment.
• Overseeing programmes to manage INNS and resilience of assets.
• Building relationships with regulators such as Natural England and Environment Agency.

Skills

Experience in biodiversity

Ecology

Conservation

Environmental management

Education

Degree in Ecology

Degree in Environmental Science

Degree in Conservation

Related discipline

Job description

Thames Water, the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, is seeking a Biodiversity & Conservation Manager to lead a specialist team and shape environmental strategy across our region. This role drives nature recovery, regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship while managing budgets and external partners.

Hybrid work with site visits 2–3 days weekly. The successful candidate will oversee WINEP projects, manage INNS programmes, and collaborate with regulators such as Natural England