Senior / Principal Ecologist - Haywards Heath

Advance TRS; Haywards Heath; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Advance TRS is seeking a Senior/Principal Ecologist to lead and deliver a wide range of ecological projects across the South Coast and South East England in a hybrid working setup. The role involves mentoring junior ecologists, managing client relationships, and contributing to business development within a collaborative, sustainability-driven team.

The successful candidate will work across habitat restoration, BNG assessments, protected species work, and environmental planning, coordinating

Qualifications

• Experience delivering ecological projects from inception to completion.
• Strong understanding of UK planning policy and licensing.
• Experience delivering BNG assessments using UKHab and biodiversity metrics.
• Protected species survey experience with licences.
• Ability to produce accurate, well-structured reports.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support delivery of ecological projects across a varied portfolio.
• Manage projects from inception to completion.
• Deliver and review ecological surveys, assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Lead Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and habitat reporting.
• Produce high-quality technical reports (PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs).
• Support client relationships and business development.
• Mentor junior ecologists and grow the team.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on large projects.
• Assist with tender submissions and quotations.

Skills

Consultancy experience

Project management

UK ecological legislation

BNG assessments

Protected species surveys

Technical reports

Independent working

Stakeholder engagement

Client relationships

Education

Degree in Ecology

CIEEM membership

Chartered status desirable

Full UK driving licence

Tools

GIS

Job description

Senior / Principal Ecologist

Location: South Coast / South East England (Hybrid Working Available)

Salary: Competitive

Type: Permanent, Full-Time

Advance TRS is supporting a growing environmental consultancy in the search for a Senior or Principal Ecologist to join their expanding ecology team.

This opportunity would suit an experienced consultant looking to take on a leading role across a broad range of ecology and environmental projects, while working within a collaborative multidisciplinary environment focused on sustainability, resilience and nature-based solutions.

The Role

The successful candidate will lead and support the delivery of ecological projects across a varied portfolio including habitat restoration, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), river and catchment-based schemes, protected species work and wider environmental planning projects.

Working closely with specialists across engineering, landscape, geomorphology and environmental disciplines, you will contribute to technically robust and practical project solutions from early-stage assessment through to delivery.

• Managing ecological projects from inception through to completion
• Delivering and reviewing ecological surveys, assessments and mitigation strategies
• Leading Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and habitat-based reporting
• Producing high-quality technical reports including PEAs, EcIAs and HRAs
• Supporting client relationships and contributing to project development discussions
• Mentoring junior ecologists and supporting team growth
• Assisting with tender submissions, quotations and wider business development activities
• Collaborating within multidisciplinary teams on large and complex environmental projects

Candidate Requirements

Advance TRS is looking to speak with ecologists who combine strong technical capability with commercial awareness and a collaborative approach to consultancy delivery.

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Consultancy experience within ecology and environmental assessment
• Experience managing projects, programmes and client relationships
• Strong understanding of UK ecological legislation, planning policy and licensing requirements
• Experience delivering BNG assessments using UKHab and biodiversity metrics
• Protected species survey experience, ideally with survey licences
• Ability to produce accurate and well-structured technical reports
• Confidence working independently and within multidisciplinary teams
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Ecology or a related discipline
• Membership of CIEEM or another relevant professional body
• Chartered status desirable, though candidates working towards chartership are encouraged
• Full UK driving licence required

Desirable Experience

• River restoration or natural flood management projects
• Aquatic, estuarine or coastal ecology
• Water Framework Directive (WFD) understanding
• Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) experience
• GIS and ecological mapping capability
• Experience working on large infrastructure or multidisciplinary projects

Working Arrangements & Benefits

This position offers hybrid working with a mixture of office, home and site-based activity. The consultancy places a strong emphasis on professional development, flexible working and long-term career progression within a supportive, employee-focused environment.

The role is available across multiple South Coast / South East office locations.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status