Senior Ecologist

SLR Consulting; Bury St Edmunds; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Private medical insurance

Company pension

Hybrid working

25 days annual leave

Cycle-to-work

Job summary

SLR Consulting is seeking an experienced Senior Ecologist to lead ecological projects across the UK and Ireland. Based in Bury St Edmunds, you will drive project delivery for renewable energy, infrastructure and residential development schemes, while mentoring junior ecologists and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.

You will manage client relationships, deliver high-quality reports, and contribute to business development.

Qualifications

• Experience in ecological consultancy and leading projects.
• Ability to mentor junior ecologists.
• Strong client relationship and project communication skills.
• UK driving licence and fieldwork access.

Responsibilities

• Manage ecological projects from inception to completion.
• Support leads with resource planning, budgets, and scheduling.
• Produce and review PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs, licences and technical reports.
• Build and maintain client relationships and communicate project status.
• Mentor junior ecologists and develop team capabilities.
• Conduct ecological surveys and ensure technical quality.
• Assist with fee proposals and business development.

Skills

Ecological consultancy

Project leadership

Mentoring

Driving licence

Education

Degree in Ecology

Job description

SLR is a global leader in sustainability solutions, helping clients make sustainability happen through a collaborative, people-first culture.

Due to continued growth within our highly successful Ecology business, we are seeking an experienced Senior Ecologist to join our established team, delivering high-profile projects across the UK and Ireland.

Based in Bury St Edmunds the role will focus primarily on renewable energy, infrastructure and residential development projects, with additional exposure to a wide range of commercial developments spanning the renewables, infrastructure, industrial and built environment sectors.

Rewards & Benefits

SLR's ‘One Team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment where people can develop and grow. Through a structured career framework, regular performance reviews, and support towards chartership, professional qualifications and licences, we offer excellent opportunities for long‑term career progression. Our flexible benefits and reward package includes:

• Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
• Company pension
• Private medical insurance
• Life, income, and travel insurance
• Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle‑to‑work schemes
• Volunteering and Community Giving
• Flexible, hybrid and agile working
• 25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays
• Buy or sell leave options
• Core working hours
• Cross‑border remote working and sabbatical opportunities
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay
• Workplace Nursery benefit
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Specialist support for mental health, stress and menopause - supporting our people both professionally and personally

The Role

• Managing ecological projects from inception through to completion
• Supporting team leads with resource planning, programme management and financial budgets
• Producing and reviewing ecological appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs), licence applications, EPS licences and other technical reports
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships, addressing feedback and ensuring effective project communication
• Mentoring and developing junior ecologists across the team
• Undertaking ecological surveys where required and ensuring surveys are delivered to appropriate technical standards
• Supporting the preparation of fee proposals and contributing to business development activities
• Collaborating with planners, archaeologists, arboriculturists, landscape architects, engineers and other environmental specialists on multidisciplinary projects

About You

• Demonstrable experience in ecological consultancy, with the ability to lead projects and mentor colleagues
• A degree in Ecology or a related environmental discipline
• Experience managing ecological projects and delivering work to the standards required by planning authorities, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and other statutory consultees
• Experience preparing a wide range of technical reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), ES Chapters and Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs)
• Experience preparing and submitting protected species and mitigation licence applications
• At least one protected species survey licence; a bat licence would be advantageous
• Strong knowledge of UK and European ecological legislation, policy and guidance
• Qualifying Member (or higher) status with CIEEM
• Strong technical reporting, project management and stakeholder engagement skills
• A driving licence that permits you to legally drive in the UK and access to a vehicle for site visits

We welcome applications from experienced ecologists looking to take the next step into project management, as well as more senior candidates with strengths in client relationship management and business development. The role can be adapted to reflect the experience and aspirations of the successful candidate.

Culture & Inclusion

Inclusion is fundamental to who we are. We are committed to equal opportunities and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, supported by active Culture & Inclusion Committees and Employee Networks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.