Senior/Principal Ecologist

Southern Ecological Solutions (SES); West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday Leave

Generous Holiday Allowance

Life Assurance

Hybrid working

Private Medical Insurance

Flexible Benefits Programme

Targeted CPD plan

Professional membership

Job summary

Southern Ecological Solutions is seeking a Senior/Principal Ecologist to lead complex ecological projects and act as a technical authority within the team. Based in the South East of England with autonomy over project direction, you will mentor staff and drive business growth while delivering high-quality reports and advice to clients.

As part of the SES and RSK Group, you’ll contribute to bids, policy development, and project delivery across the Midlands region, enjoying a supportive,

Qualifications

• A Degree (or equivalent) in ecology or a related discipline.
• One or more protected species licences (e.g. bats, GCN).
• Extensive experience within a professional ecological consultancy.
• Strong track record of delivering and reviewing complex technical reports.
• In-depth knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy and guidance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage complex ecological projects, including large-scale developments and infrastructure schemes.
• Act as technical lead and reviewer for PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs, and BNG assessments.
• Provide expert advice on ecology, legislation and planning policy (NPPF and local policy).
• Mentor ecologists at all levels and foster technical excellence.
• Oversee survey design, seasonal programming and risk management.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and contribute to bids and fee proposals.
• Support business development and represent SES at meetings and forums.
• Ensure quality, compliance and best practice across Midlands projects.

Skills

Degree in ecology

Protected species licences

Ecology consultancy experience

Technical report delivery

UK wildlife legislation knowledge

Education

Degree in ecology

Job description

Senior/Principal Ecologist

Are you experienced ecologist looking for your new challenge within the ecology sector?

Do you want to bring your expertise and knowledge to help us succeed?

The Role

Southern Ecological Solutions, part of the RSK Group is seeking an experienced Principal Ecologist to play a key leadership role within our team based in the South East of England. This is a senior technical and client-facing position, suited to an individual with strong consultancy experience who is confident leading complex projects, supporting team development and helping to drive continued business growth.

You will act as a technical authority across a range of ecological disciplines, providing oversight, mentoring and quality assurance, while maintaining hands‑on involvement in project delivery.

The role also offers significant autonomy, influence over project direction, and clear progression opportunities within SES and the wider RSK Group.

Main Responsibilities

• Leading and managing complex ecological projects, including large-scale developments and infrastructure schemes
• Acting as technical lead and reviewer for PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs, protected species mitigation strategies and BNG assessments
• Providing expert advice on ecology, legislation and planning policy (including NPPF and local policy)
• Supporting and mentoring ecologists at all levels, fostering technical excellence and career development
• Overseeing survey design, seasonal programming and risk management across multiple projects
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships, contributing to bids, tenders and fee proposals
• Supporting business development and representing SES at meetings, workshops and stakeholder forums
• Ensuring consistent quality, compliance and best practice across Midlands projects

Introduction to SES

Southern Ecological Solutions is a trusted consultancy specialising in Ecology, Arboriculture, and Landscape Planning & Design. For over a decade, we've built a reputation for delivering pragmatic, innovative solutions to clients ranging from global corporations to private homeowners. At SES, you’ll have the opportunity to advance your career while contributing to environmentally sustainable growth. Be part of a company that champions innovation and values its people as much as the environment.

We are also part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.

Key Experience & Qualifications

Essential:

• A Degree (or equivalent) in ecology or a related discipline.
• One or more protected species licences (e.g. bats, GCN).
• Extensive experience within a professional ecological consultancy.
• Strong track record of delivering and reviewing complex technical reports.
• In-depth knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy and guidance.

Desirable:

• Full or Chartered membership of CIEEM.
• Strong botanical competence (FISC Level 4 or equivalent experience).
• Experience leading BNG assessments and advising on biodiversity strategies.
• Experience contributing to bids, frameworks or strategic projects.

You will also be required to have a full UK driving licence and use of own vehicle.

Personal Attributes

You will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence in client-facing roles. You will be a strong leader and be able to mentor and provide valuable support to other staff members. Being a proactive self-starter will allow you to be successful and confident in leading on a wide range of projects across the business.

Why Join Us

Along with a competitive salary of £35,000 - £48,000 for Senior Level Candidates and £40,000-£58,000 for Principal Level Candidates (depending on experience) you will enjoy a wide range of company benefits.

Company Benefits

• Birthday Leave: Enjoy a day off to celebrate your birthday in addition to your annual leave.
• Generous Holiday Allowance: Start with 23 days of holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 28 days.
• Life Assurance: Benefit from our life assurance plan to provide peace of mind.
• Hybrid working: Flexible working from home, site and the office with flexible working hours (role dependant).
• Private Medical Insurance: Access private medical insurance to take care of your health.
• Flexible Benefits Programme: Tailor your benefits with options to buy additional holidays, health cash plans, and discounted gym memberships, allowing you to choose what suits you best.
• Targeted CPD plan: Support, and rapid progression for ambitious candidates.
• Professional membership: Fees will be covered by the company.

RSK Group is an Inclusive Employer

About Us

We are a multi-disciplinary consultancy specialising in ecology, habitat management, arboriculture, and landscape design, based in Essex, UK. Since our company’s founding, we have grown to become a leading UK provider of specialist ecological, arboricultural and landscape design consulting services. We are known for devising sustainable, pragmatic, and client-focused solutions. Our diverse portfolio includes clients in the fields of infrastructure, development, conservation charities and individual bespoke projects. Our business is continuing to expand into new markets, and we are forming new teams to meet future challenges.

SES has a team of 52 qualified ecologists, landscape architects, arboriculturists and coordination and support staff. Currently, we’re working with Barratt Homes and the RSPB on a large residential housing development, Kingsbrook, a case study in the biodiversity net gain best practice principles for development. Our ecological work includes due diligence reporting, land appraisals, habitat design and creation, protected species surveys and ecological impact assessments. Landscape design and planning services teams specialise in strategic projects, combining an innovative and context-led approach to design.

SES is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.

At RSK, we operate as a group of businesses that work together seamlessly, aiming for growth through diversification. Our strategy helps us build a strong and resilient business, capable of weathering external challenges, while also providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees.

Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people-first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company.

By providing workplace adjustments, we make it easier for people to confidently explore and pursue our career opportunities and recognise that flexibility is key to fostering a dynamic and thriving workplace. Many of our office-based positions benefit from a flexible working arrangement, allowing our team members to achieve a balance between professional and personal commitments.

We actively encourage applications from candidates of all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, neurotypes, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities.

If you're passionate about making a difference, join us as we work together to build a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for all. Do you have what it takes?