Senior Ecologist: Biodiversity Strategy & Restoration Lead

Stantec Inc.; Highgate; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid / Flexible working

Private medical insurance

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Gym membership

Paid subscriptions

Career progression

Job summary

Stantec is seeking experienced Senior / Principal Ecologists to join our UK Ecology team. You will lead ecological assessments across residential, infrastructure, and energy projects, ensuring compliance and high-quality reporting while mentoring junior staff.

You will collaborate with planning authorities, clients and multidisciplinary teams to deliver biodiversity net gain, habitat restoration and nature-based solutions, shaping sustainable development proposals.

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology, Conservation, Earth Sciences or related field.
• Full member of CIEEM or working towards.
• Experience with PEA, EcIA, HRA and Biodiversity chapters.
• Experience delivering ecological projects through planning and delivery.
• Knowledge of UKHab, Defra Biodiversity Metric and reporting.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and oversee ecological assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Provide expert ecological advice to clients and project teams.
• Manage and coordinate ecological field surveys.
• Lead preparation and review of technical reports (PEA, EcIA, HRA, Biodiversity chapters).
• Support Biodiversity Net Gain strategies and habitat restoration.
• Engage with planning authorities and stakeholders.
• Assist with licensing and mitigation programmes.
• Prepare fee proposals and manage project budgets.
• Mentor junior ecologists.
• Contribute to innovative nature-based solutions.

Skills

Ecological expertise

Communication

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Strategic thinking

Education

Degree in Ecology/Conservation/Earth Sciences or related environmental discipline

Job description

Stantec is seeking experienced Senior / Principal Ecologists to join our UK Ecology team. You will lead ecological assessments across residential, infrastructure, and energy projects, ensuring compliance and high-quality reporting while mentoring junior staff.

You will collaborate with planning authorities, clients and multidisciplinary teams to deliver biodiversity net gain, habitat restoration and nature-based solutions, shaping sustainable development proposals.