Senior Ecologist: Lead Biodiversity & Net Gain Projects

Stantec; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Bonus schemes

Enhanced pension

Annual leave buy/sell

Private medical insurance

Gym membership

Job summary

Stantec is seeking an experienced Senior/Principal Ecologist to join our Ecology team across the UK. You will lead ecological assessments, guide planning and licensing processes, and drive biodiversity enhancement for diverse infrastructure projects.

You will manage field surveys, review technical reports, and mentor junior ecologists while contributing to innovative nature-based solutions and BNG strategies within multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Ecology, Conservation, Earth Sciences or related environmental discipline.
• Full member of CIEEM, or working towards full membership.
• Experience delivering complex ecological projects through planning and/or delivery.
• Experience preparing ecological assessments: PEA, EcIA, HRA and Biodiversity chapters.
• Knowledge of UKHab, Defra Biodiversity Metric and reporting requirements.
• Experience preparing fee proposals and managing project budgets.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Desirable Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) or Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) status.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and oversee ecological assessments and mitigation strategies for development projects.
• Provide expert ecological advice to clients and project teams.
• Manage ecological surveys through a network of ecologists.
• Lead technical report preparation: PEAs, EcIA, HRAs and Biodiversity chapters.
• Support Biodiversity Net Gain strategies and habitat creation/restoration.
• Engage planning authorities and stakeholders throughout project delivery.
• Assist with protected species licensing and mitigation programmes.
• Prepare fee proposals and manage project budgets.
• Mentor junior ecologists and develop technical excellence.

Skills

UK ecology knowledge

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Report writing

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Ecology/Conservation

Job description

Stantec is seeking an experienced Senior/Principal Ecologist to join our Ecology team across the UK. You will lead ecological assessments, guide planning and licensing processes, and drive biodiversity enhancement for diverse infrastructure projects.

You will manage field surveys, review technical reports, and mentor junior ecologists while contributing to innovative nature-based solutions and BNG strategies within multidisciplinary teams.