Senior Ecologist – BNG Lead & Project Mentor (Manchester)

Agricultural Recruitment Specialists Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentoring and career development

Professional development opportunities

Opportunity to shape business growth

Job summary

Agricultural Recruitment Specialists is seeking a Senior Ecologist to lead a diverse ecology portfolio in Manchester, focusing on Biodiversity Net Gain and delivering projects from scoping to completion.

The role requires 5+ years in consultancy ecology, CIEEM membership, and strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, with opportunities to mentor colleagues and contribute to business growth within an established environmental consultancy.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' consultancy-based ecology experience, with full CIEEM membership and a strong understanding of UK wildlife legislation, planning requirements and ecological assessment.
• Strong technical experience in Biodiversity Net Gain, including the statutory biodiversity metric, habitat enhancement and creation, BNG strategies and associated management and monitoring plans
• Good experience across ecological assessment and planning, including EIA/EcIA, technical reporting and protected species or licensing work
• Proven project management ability, including budgets, programmes, client management and coordinating project teams, together with strong commercial awareness
• Experience in a specialist ecological area, with additional experience such as protected species licences, Habitat Regulations Assessments, off-site BNG or GIS being advantageous
• Confident communicator with the ability to build client relationships, mentor less experienced colleagues and contribute to business development
• Organised, proactive and able to manage multiple projects effectively; a full UK driving licence and willingness to travel or occasionally work away from home are essential

Responsibilities

• Manage a range of ecological projects from initial scoping and client discussions through to completion
• Provide specialist advice on Biodiversity Net Gain, including assessments, strategies and use of the statutory biodiversity metric
• Develop habitat creation, enhancement and management proposals, including Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans
• Prepare and review technical ecological reports and supporting planning documentation
• Provide technical input across planning and development projects, including EIA and EcIA work
• Manage project budgets, programmes, resources and client expectations
• Maintain strong relationships with existing clients and contribute to new business opportunities and fee proposals
• Support and develop junior members of the ecology team through mentoring and technical guidance
• Maintain high standards of technical quality, professional practice, health and safety and environmental compliance
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, clients, landowners and other project stakeholders

Skills

Project management

Client relationships

Ecology knowledge

Mentoring

Education

CIEEM membership

Tools

GIS

Job description

Agricultural Recruitment Specialists is seeking a Senior Ecologist to lead a diverse ecology portfolio in Manchester, focusing on Biodiversity Net Gain and delivering projects from scoping to completion.

The role requires 5+ years in consultancy ecology, CIEEM membership, and strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, with opportunities to mentor colleagues and contribute to business growth within an established environmental consultancy.