Senior Ecologist - Biodiversity & Net Gain Lead

Stantec; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid / Flexible working

Private medical insurance

Annual leave buy/sell

Pension

Gym membership discounts

Job summary

Stantec is seeking a Senior/Principal Ecologist to lead ecological services across diverse projects, providing trusted ecological advice to clients and project teams. You’ll manage inputs throughout lifecycles, oversee surveys, and deliver high-quality reports while guiding planning, licensing and environmental assessment processes.

You’ll contribute to habitat restoration initiatives, biodiversity strategies and ecological management plans that deliver meaningful conservation outcomes,

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology, Conservation, Earth Sciences or related environmental discipline.
• Full member of CIEEM or working towards full membership.
• Strong understanding of UK ecology, environmental legislation and the planning system.
• Experience delivering complex ecological projects through planning and/or delivery stages.
• Knowledge of UKHab classification, the Defra Biodiversity Metric and reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and oversee ecological assessments and mitigation strategies for a wide range of development and infrastructure projects.
• Provide expert, evidence-based ecological advice to clients, stakeholders and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Manage and coordinate ecological field surveys through our network of ecologists.
• Lead the preparation and review of technical reports, including PEA, EcIA, HRAs and Biodiversity chapters of Environmental Statements.
• Support the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain strategies, habitat creation and restoration projects.
• Engage with planning authorities, statutory consultees and other stakeholders throughout project delivery.
• Assist with protected species licensing and ecological mitigation programmes.
• Prepare fee proposals, manage project budgets and contribute to successful project delivery.
• Mentor and support junior ecologists, helping to develop technical excellence across the team.
• Contribute to innovative approaches around nature-based solutions, natural capital and ecosystem services.

Skills

Ecology expertise

UK planning knowledge

Stakeholder management

Technical reporting

Mentoring

Education

Degree in Ecology/Conservation/Earth Sciences

CIEEM member (progress towards full)

Job description

Stantec is seeking a Senior/Principal Ecologist to lead ecological services across diverse projects, providing trusted ecological advice to clients and project teams. You’ll manage inputs throughout lifecycles, oversee surveys, and deliver high-quality reports while guiding planning, licensing and environmental assessment processes.

You’ll contribute to habitat restoration initiatives, biodiversity strategies and ecological management plans that deliver meaningful conservation outcomes,