Senior Ecological Consultant

Thomson Environmental Consultants; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental consultancy in Cardiff is seeking a Senior Ecological Consultant to manage projects and lead a team. Candidates must have a degree in ecology, in-depth ecological knowledge, and strong project management skills. The role involves delivering high-quality reports and cultivating client relationships. This position offers a competitive salary starting from £34,000 per annum with opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Experienced Ecologist with a degree in ecology or related discipline.
• In-depth knowledge of ecology, legislation, and survey techniques.
• Advanced field skills in one or more specialist areas.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and guide a team of Ecological Consultants and Assistant Ecologists.
• Manage large, complex projects from start to finish.
• Deliver high-quality reports and outputs for clients.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients.

Skills

Ecological knowledge

Project management

Report writing

Client relationship management

Education

Degree in Ecology or related subject

Job description

Senior Ecological Consultant

Salary: from £34,000 per annum, dependent on skillset.

Location: Cardiff, United Kingdom

Company Description

Our core purpose is to enable nature and business to thrive together.

Our brand mission is to be chosen by clients as their preferred specialists and regarded by people in our industry as the company to work for. We aim to be the most innovative, pragmatic and fast‑growing environmental consultancy in the UK.

With offices across the UK, our experts are committed to delivering exceptional outcomes to our clients across a range of environmental services and ecological contracting.

Our services include but are not limited to: terrestrial ecology, freshwater ecology, hydrology, marine laboratory, arboricultural services, geographic information systems (GIS) and mapping, environmental impact assessments.

Position

We have an exciting Senior Ecological Consultant position based in our Cardiff office.

As a Senior Ecological Consultant, you will play a key role in driving your team’s financial success by preparing compelling tenders, efficiently managing projects, and fostering strong relationships with clients. Your contributions will also support the company’s vision and values by delivering high‑quality technical work within specified timelines and consistently upholding the company’s standards of excellence.

Responsibilities

• Senior Ecological Consultants (SECs) often serve as line managers, overseeing and guiding a small team of Ecological Consultants and Assistant Ecologists. Some SECs may also take on roles as technical leads.
• Lead and manage large, complex projects, ensuring seamless execution from start to finish.
• Handle technically challenging tasks, including EPSL applications, EcIA chapters, and habitat regulation assessments.
• Deliver high‑quality reports and outputs for clients, consistently meeting or exceeding project deadlines and budget constraints.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients, ensuring continued trust and satisfaction.
• Document relevant professional experience and leverage it to advance toward obtaining protected species licenses.
• Take ownership for the quality of survey work by providing leadership and direction to the field team.
• Ensure clear and effective communication by keeping project managers and team leads informed of all critical project developments.
• Maintain active membership with CIEEM.

Requirements

To be considered you will be an experienced Ecologist with an ecological or related subject degree.

You will be technically competent, with an in-depth knowledge of ecology, legislation and survey techniques with advanced field skills in one or more specialist areas as well as holding protected species licences.

You will also hold a clean, valid UK driving licence and have your own car / access to a car which will be insured for business use.

We would be especially interested in hearing from applicants with ornithological skills, botany skills or a bat mitigation licence. However, none of these are essential.

All applicants must be based in the UK with the Right to Work in the UK.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As an equal opportunities employer, Thomson is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, gender reassignment, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave, disability, race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation.

We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply to and join Thomson.