Senior / Principal Ecologist

Stantec; Exeter; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Annual leave with buy/sell option

Pension plan

Life assurance

Gym membership discount

Job summary

Stantec is seeking Senior/Principal Ecologists to join its Ecology team across the UK, with opportunities in Exeter and other major cities. You will lead ecological assessments, advise clients, manage surveys, and contribute to Biodiversity Net Gain and habitat restoration within a broad project portfolio.

You will supervise surveys, prepare high-quality reports, support planning and licensing processes, and mentor junior ecologists while advancing nature-based solutions and ecosystem services

Qualifications

• Degree in Ecology, Conservation, Earth Sciences or related environmental discipline.
• Full member of CIEEM, or working towards full membership.
• Strong understanding of UK ecology, environmental legislation and the planning system.
• Proven consultancy experience delivering complex ecological projects through planning and/or delivery stages.
• Experience preparing and reviewing ecological assessments, including PEA, EcIA, HRA and Biodiversity chapters of Environmental Statements.
• Knowledge of UKHab classification, the Defra Biodiversity Metric and associated reporting requirements.
• Experience preparing fee proposals and managing project budgets.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically to solve ecological challenges.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and oversee ecological assessments and mitigation strategies for a wide range of development and infrastructure projects.
• Provide expert, evidence-based ecological advice to clients, stakeholders and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Manage and coordinate ecological field surveys through our network of ecologists.
• Lead the preparation and review of technical reports, including PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs and Biodiversity chapters of Environmental Statements.
• Support the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain strategies, habitat creation and restoration projects.
• Engage with planning authorities, statutory consultees and other stakeholders throughout project delivery.
• Assist with protected species licensing and ecological mitigation programmes.
• Prepare fee proposals, manage project budgets and contribute to the successful delivery of projects.
• Mentor and support junior ecologists, helping to develop technical excellence across the team.
• Contribute to innovative approaches around nature-based solutions, natural capital and ecosystem services.

Skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Creative thinking

Strategic thinking

Project coordination

Education

Degree in Ecology/Conservation/Earth Sciences

CIEEM membership in progress

Job description

Are you passionate about biodiversity, nature-based solutions and sustainable development? Are you looking for opportunities to work on diverse and impactful projects that deliver lasting environmental benefits? Do you want to take your career to the next level within an award-winning ecological consultancy?

We're looking for experienced and enthusiastic Senior / Principal Ecologists to join our growing Ecology team across the UK. Opportunities are available in Birmingham, Brighton, Cambridge, Exeter, London, Manchester, Reading and Taunton.

As part of our multidisciplinary teams, you'll work on a broad range of projects spanning residential developments, regeneration schemes, energy and resources projects, transport infrastructure and nationally significant infrastructure projects. This is an exciting opportunity to influence project outcomes, drive biodiversity enhancement and deliver Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) solutions that create positive environmental impact.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Senior / Principal Ecologist , you'll play a key role in delivering and overseeing ecological services across a diverse project portfolio. You'll provide trusted ecological advice to clients and project teams, helping to shape sustainable development proposals and maximise opportunities for biodiversity enhancement.

You'll be responsible for managing ecological inputs throughout project lifecycles, overseeing survey programmes, producing high-quality technical reports and supporting clients through planning, licensing and environmental assessment processes. You'll also contribute to habitat restoration initiatives, biodiversity strategies and ecological management plans that deliver meaningful conservation outcomes.

YOUR IMPACT

• Deliver and oversee ecological assessments and mitigation strategies for a wide range of development and infrastructure projects.
• Provide expert, evidence-based ecological advice to clients, stakeholders and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Manage and coordinate ecological field surveys through our network of ecologists.
• Lead the preparation and review of technical reports, including PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs and Biodiversity chapters of Environmental Statements.
• Support the delivery of Biodiversity Net Gain strategies, habitat creation and restoration projects.
• Engage with planning authorities, statutory consultees and other stakeholders throughout project delivery.
• Assist with protected species licensing and ecological mitigation programmes.
• Prepare fee proposals, manage project budgets and contribute to the successful delivery of projects.
• Mentor and support junior ecologists, helping to develop technical excellence across the team.
• Contribute to innovative approaches around nature-based solutions, natural capital and ecosystem services.

ABOUT YOU

• Degree qualified in Ecology, Conservation, Earth Sciences or a related environmental discipline.
• Full member of CIEEM, or working towards full membership.
• Strong understanding of UK ecology, environmental legislation and the planning system.
• Proven consultancy experience delivering complex ecological projects through planning and/or delivery stages.
• Experience preparing and reviewing ecological assessments, including PEA, EcIA, HRA and Biodiversity chapters of Environmental Statements.
• Knowledge of UKHab classification, the Defra Biodiversity Metric and associated reporting requirements.
• Experience preparing fee proposals and managing project budgets.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically to solve ecological challenges.

Desirable:

• Broad understanding of terrestrial ecological issues.
• Working towards Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) or Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) status.
• Experience developing off-site BNG solutions and sourcing Biodiversity Units.
• Understanding of natural capital and ecosystem services.
• Holder of one or more protected species licences.
• Experience supporting and delivering protected species licensing programmes.

WHY JOIN US

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry-leading training and development, paid professional subscriptions and a structured progression plan supporting your continued professional growth.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment, Early Careers peer groups and a thriving network of Employee Resource Groups.
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK, and we want you to be part of it.
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection and life assurance as standard, discounted gym membership and much more.
• Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance through our flexible and hybrid approach to working.

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [e-mail] we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Other Locations: Warrington, Manchester, London, Birmingham, Brighton, Taunton, Cambridge, Exeter, Reading