Senior Ecology Manager

East West Rail Company; Milton Keynes; Sur place; GBP 65 000 - 90 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Up to 12% employer pension

36 days annual leave

Volunteer days

Family-friendly policies

Life assurance (4x)

Employee Assistance Programme

Perkbox access

Recognition programme

Advanced learning and development

Résumé du poste

East West Rail Company in Milton Keynes is seeking a Senior Ecology Manager to lead delivery and assurance of ecology assets through construction, focusing on biodiversity net gain, habitat creation, and licensing. You will manage ecological compliance on site, provide technical assurance, and engage with regulators and stakeholders while promoting innovation and cost-conscious decision making.

This permanent role offers a competitive salary, pension, generous leave, and development

Qualifications

• Ecologist with biodiversity net gain delivery on major infrastructure or construction projects.
• Knowledge of the statutory biodiversity metric and the preparation of biodiversity gain plans.
• Experience delivering biodiversity net gain strategies, including commercial acquisition of units.
• Site-based ecology on construction sites, ECOWs management and licences.

Responsabilités

• Contribute to biodiversity net gain strategy delivery, securing and creating units on-site and off-site.
• Manage protected species licensing and mitigation, including European licences and monitoring.
• Provide technical assurance of contractor ecology deliverables and manage the Ecological Clerk of Works on site.
• Represent EWR Co at conferences, events and presentations to promote ecological management.
• Maintain health and safety principles on site and apply cost-conscious decision making.
• Seek innovative solutions and act as a role model for the company’s Ways of Working.

Connaissances

Biodiversity net gain

Ecologist

Protected species licensing

GIS proficiency

Ecological Clerk of Works

Site-based ecology

Formation

Degree in ecology or related subject

Outils

ArcGIS

QGIS

Description du poste

Senior Ecology Manager

Application Deadline: 30 October 2026

Department: Strategy, Sponsorship and External Affairs

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes

Description

A little bit about us

East West Rail is an infrastructure programme connecting communities between Oxford and Cambridge, a region currently underserved by transport. We have a once in a generation opportunity to change that, improving prosperity for people and places along the way.

East West Railway Company (EWR Co) was created by the Department for Transport (DfT) to oversee delivery of East West Rail, from construction through to services running, making sure the railway comes together in the right way. The programme is projected to deliver a £6.7 billion annual boost to the regional economy by 2050.

Role Summary

As Senior Ecology Manager, you will lead the delivery and assurance of EWR Co's ecology and biodiversity assets through construction. This includes biodiversity net gain, habitat creation and long-term management, protected species licensing and mitigation, and the ecological management of construction on site.

Function

The Technical function owns the specification for the scheme, interpreting the business case and purpose and translating these into a system requirements set. Its work falls into two broad areas: establishing standards and requirements, and assuring that these are met during both design and delivery. This work spans a number of domains, each requiring specialist technical capability to provide the right level of knowledge, support and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Contribute to delivery of the biodiversity net gain strategy, securing and creating on-site and off-site units and ensuring habitats are delivered, managed and monitored to achieve the required net gain.
• Manage protected species licensing and mitigation, including European Protected Species licences and monitoring, and assist with the Habitats Regulations Assessment.
• Provide technical assurance of contractor ecology deliverables and manage the Ecological Clerk of Works function on site, ensuring ecological compliance during construction and managing seasonal and species constraints.
• Represent EWR Co at conferences, networking events, and external and internal presentations, promoting EWR Co's activities in ecological management.
• Take responsibility for your own and others' health and safety, adopting and working to EWR Co's Health and Safety principles.
• Keep taxpayers' money at the forefront of your decisions, bringing a cost-conscious mindset to your work.
• Seek creative solutions to challenges and opportunities, bringing a commitment to innovation.
• Act as a role model for EWR Co's vision and behaviours, working in line with EWR Co's Ways of Working and encouraging others to do the same.

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

Essential Criteria

• A career as a suitably qualified and experienced ecologist, delivering biodiversity net gain and ecological mitigation on major infrastructure or construction projects.
• Knowledge of the statutory biodiversity metric and the preparation of biodiversity gain plans.
• Experience of developing and delivering biodiversity net gain strategies, including the commercial acquisition of units.
• A background in protected species survey, licensing and mitigation, including European Protected Species licences.
• Site-based ecology experience on construction sites, acting as or managing an Ecological Clerk of Works.
• Work securing and managing long-term biodiversity assets, including securing mechanisms and 30-year management and monitoring.
• GIS proficiency (ArcGIS or QGIS), alongside the ability to translate technical ecology for non-specialist site teams, regulators and stakeholders.
• A valid CSCS card.

Desirable Criteria

• A degree in ecology or a related subject, or equivalent qualification or experience.
• Full membership of CIEEM, Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) status, or membership of CIWEM, IEMA or IES, or equivalent experience.
• Relevant protected species survey licences.
• Knowledge of the NSIP or DCO regime.

Benefits

Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience

• Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future
• 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days
• 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community
• Enhanced family-friendly policies to support you and your loved ones
• Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it
• Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits
• Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards
• Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.

Diversity and Inclusion

At East West Railway Company, we’re committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple - to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, encouraging applications from all backgrounds and experiences.

If you want to connect lives and unlock the future, then we’d love to hear from you.