Senior Ecologist

Parkside; Beverston; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ecological consultancy in the Cotswolds is seeking a Senior Ecologist to manage ecological projects, prepare technical reports, and lead survey teams. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management and report writing skills along with a solid understanding of UK wildlife legislation. Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, and a supportive team culture.

Benefits

Competitive salary

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Hybrid working options

Company vehicles for site visits

Quarterly staff appreciation events

Private medical insurance

Qualifications

• Proven project management experience within ecological consultancy.
• Strong technical report writing skills.
• Ability to identify and manage risks and opportunities effectively.

Responsibilities

• Manage a range of small to medium‑scale ecological projects.
• Produce and review high‑quality technical reports.
• Lead complex ecological surveys, supervising teams.

Skills

Project management experience

Technical report writing

Risk and opportunity management

Team leadership and mentoring

Knowledge of UK and European wildlife legislation

Communication and organisational skills

Fee proposal preparation

Job description

Senior Ecologist

Our client, a well‑established and forward‑thinking ecological consultancy, is seeking a Senior Ecologist to join their expanding team based at their head office near Tetbury, in the heart of the beautiful Gloucestershire Cotswolds. Just a short distance from Stroud, recently voted the best place to live in the UK, this is an excellent opportunity to work in an inspiring environment surrounded by nature.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a range of small to medium‑scale ecological projects
• Produce and review high‑quality technical reports
• Support client liaison, prepare quotations, and manage project budgets
• Plan and allocate resources effectively across multiple projects
• Lead complex ecological surveys, supervising both internal and external teams
• Contribute to the Ecology Team’s wider vision and objectives
• Collaborate closely with the in‑house Habitats Team to design and deliver bespoke mitigation and enhancement schemes that provide genuine, lasting benefits for wildlife

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven project management experience within ecological consultancy
• Strong technical report writing skills
• Ability to identify and manage risks and opportunities effectively
• Experience in leading, mentoring, and coordinating survey teams
• Excellent knowledge of UK and European wildlife legislation and the planning system
• Strong communication and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain effective client and team relationships under pressure
• Experience preparing fee proposals and managing project budgets

Desirable Skills

• A specialist area of ecological expertise (e.g. aquatic ecology, botany, ornithology, invertebrates, or bats)
• Holder of one or more protected species survey and/or development licences
• Experience using the Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) metric
• Proven ability to design and implement effective, innovative mitigation strategies for protected species
• Experience writing higher‑level technical documents such as Environmental Statement ecology chapters

About Our Client

Our client has been delivering ecological consultancy services for over 20 years, maintaining steady growth, commercial stability, and an outstanding reputation for excellence. They work across all industry sectors and project scales from the UK’s largest infrastructure schemes to bespoke conservation‑driven projects. They are rapidly expanding their Biodiversity Net Gain services, building on a strong track record in habitat creation, restoration, and mitigation. A key differentiator is their in‑house Habitats contracting team, which works closely with the ecology team to ensure practical, effective, and successful implementation of mitigation and habitat creation schemes on the ground. The company has a professional yet close‑knit team culture, with a focus on collaboration, development, and enjoyment at work. Regular quarterly staff appreciation events and team days help maintain a supportive, positive working environment.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working options
• Company vehicles for meetings and site visits
• Quarterly staff appreciation events
• Community and volunteering initiatives
• Continued career development with an annual CPD and training budget
• Company pension and sick pay
• Private medical insurance
• Access to qualified Mental Health First Aiders
• Beautiful Cotswolds office location with free on‑site parking