Senior Ecologist

Kier Group; St. Neots; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Kier Group is seeking a Senior Ecologist to lead ecological strategies on a nationally significant infrastructure project in Cambridge. You will shape outcomes from design through construction and ensure environmental commitments are delivered on site.

You will act as Lead Ecological Clerk of Works, coordinating on-site ecological activities, advising construction teams and ensuring works comply with planning conditions and licences while maintaining delivery programme.

Qualifications

• Holds a degree in Ecology or a related environmental discipline and is a member of CIEEM (or an equivalent professional body)
• Brings proven experience in a Senior Ecologist or Ecological Clerk of Works role, supporting construction delivery and managing ecological compliance on site
• Has hands-on experience with protected species surveys, mitigation delivery, licence requirements and environmentally sensitive areas
• Can review construction documentation and advise on practical ecological controls before works begin
• Can confidently communicate ecological requirements to contractors, project teams and stakeholders at all levels
• Thrives in a site-based environment, taking ownership of decisions and finding practical, commercially aware solutions to ecological challenges

Responsibilities

• Leading ecological activities on site, coordinating ecology resource and acting as the primary point of contact for ecological matters
• Identifying ecological risks and constraints early, providing practical solutions that support delivery while maintaining compliance
• Monitoring contractor activities to ensure adherence with environmental management plans, planning conditions, SSSI consents and protected species licence requirements
• Undertakings site inspections, environmental audits, pre-construction ecological checks and maintaining clear compliance records
• Supporting and mentoring ecologists on site while delivering toolbox talks and environmental awareness training to project teams

Skills

Ecology degree

CIEEM member

Senior Ecologist experience

Site-based delivery

Stakeholder communication

Education

Degree in Ecology or related environmental discipline

Job description

We're looking for a Senior Ecologist to join our team in Cambridge. Could this be your next career move?

This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading role on a nationally significant infrastructure project, helping to shape ecological outcomes from design through to construction. Working on a high-profile DCO scheme, you'll provide expert ecological advice, influence project decisions, and ensure environmental commitments are delivered effectively on site.

Location: Cambridge – regular office presence required, with some flexibility for hybrid working
Hours: Permanent, full-time (42 hours per week). Condensed hours and flexible working arrangements can be considered – just let us know what works for you
We are unable to offer certificates of sponsorship for this role

Why join us?

This is an opportunity to work on a landmark infrastructure project where your expertise will directly influence environmental outcomes. You'll be part of a collaborative team of specialists, tackling complex ecological challenges while helping to create a lasting positive legacy for nature and local communities.

What will you be responsible for?

As a Senior Ecologist, you'll play a key role in delivering ecological compliance and mitigation across the project. Acting as Lead Ecological Clerk of Works, you'll coordinate on-site ecological activities, advise construction teams and ensure works are delivered responsibly while balancing programme requirements.

Your day-to-day will include:

• Leading ecological activities on site, coordinating ecology resource and acting as the primary point of contact for ecological matters
• Identifying ecological risks and constraints early, providing practical solutions that support delivery while maintaining compliance
• Monitoring contractor activities to ensure adherence with environmental management plans, planning conditions, SSSI consents and protected species licence requirements
• Undertakingsite inspections, environmental audits, pre-construction ecological checks and maintaining clear compliance records
• Supporting and mentoring ecologists on site while delivering toolbox talks and environmental awareness training to project teams

What are we looking for?

This role of Senior Ecologist is perfect for someone who:

• Holds a degree in Ecology or a related environmental discipline and is a member of CIEEM (or an equivalent professional body)
• Brings proven experience in a Senior Ecologist orEcological Clerk of Works role, supporting construction delivery and managing ecological compliance on site
• Has hands-on experience with protected species surveys,mitigation delivery, licence requirements and environmentally sensitive areas
• Can review construction documentation and advise on practical ecological controls before works begin
• Canconfidently communicate ecological requirements to contractors, project teams and stakeholders at all levels
• Thrives in a site-based environment, taking ownership of decisions and finding practical, commercially aware solutions to ecological challenges

Rewards and benefits

We're proud to be able to offer our brilliant people a wide variety of benefits that you can tailor to your needs. You can see more information of benefits here.

Diversity and inclusion

Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a huge priority for us. We're proud of the steps we've taken so far, but we know we must always do more. Our employees are key in shaping Kier's diversity and inclusion initiatives and our people have made a huge impact on how we work, by using their experiences to shape our policies. You can see our D&I action plan here. As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview.

We look forward to seeing your application to #joinkier.

• Senior Ecologist EwR job description.docx