Senior Ecologist - Lead Projects & Practice Growth

Assystem; Bentfield; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Assystem UK is seeking an experienced ecologist to lead projects, shape best practice and grow a high‑performing team across major infrastructure in the UK.

You will be embedded in live project environments, acting as ecological focal point within multidisciplinary teams, delivering surveys, reports and mitigation strategies while guiding junior staff and maintaining programme and commercial objectives.

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or related discipline, with significant consultancy experience.
• Two European Protected Species licences.
• Strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy and best practice including EIA, HRA and BNG.
• Experience managing teams, budgets and multidisciplinary project delivery.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, with Full Membership to be obtained if not already held.
• Excellent commercial awareness, business planning insight and client engagement skills.
• A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead ecological surveys and assessments, including habitat appraisals, protected species surveys and impact evaluations.
• Oversee ecological input into housing, infrastructure, renewables and energy projects.
• Prepare and review high-quality technical reports, including EIAs, HRAs, mitigation strategies and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
• Monitor construction activities to ensure compliance with wildlife legislation and licence conditions.
• Support and lead protected species mitigation strategies and EPS licence applications.
• Investigate ecological incidents and implement proactive risk management measures.
• Deliver ecological briefings and provide clear, practical advice to site teams and project managers.
• Lead, mentor and support ecologists at senior, mid-level and junior grades.
• Align team resourcing with project demands, managing workloads and supporting recruitment where required.
• Champion best practice in ecology, health and safety, quality assurance and legislative compliance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of technical standards and delivery processes.
• Support work-winning activities including tenders, fee proposals, client presentations and framework bids.

Skills

Project leadership

Team mentoring

Commercial awareness

Report writing

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in Ecology or Environmental Science

Job description

Assystem UK is seeking an experienced ecologist to lead projects, shape best practice and grow a high‑performing team across major infrastructure in the UK.

You will be embedded in live project environments, acting as ecological focal point within multidisciplinary teams, delivering surveys, reports and mitigation strategies while guiding junior staff and maintaining programme and commercial objectives.