Senior/Principal Ecologist - Team Lead

JR United Kingdom; Preston; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in ecological consultancy seeks a Senior/Principal Ecologist to join their team in Preston. This role involves delivering high-quality ecological services, managing client relationships, and mentoring staff. Ideal candidates will have relevant qualifications and a successful background in consultancy, contributing to a nurturing and productive work environment.

Benefits

Cycle to work scheme

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Free parking

Fitness classes

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Extensive training opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Community action opportunities

Team-building days

Mileage paid 45p p/mile

Qualifications

• Proven track record in consultancy and project delivery.
• Ecological skills at FISC level 4+.
• Protected species licence (water vole or dormouse preferred).

Responsibilities

• Conduct ecological surveys and produce various reports.
• Advise clients throughout the planning process.
• Mentor junior staff and enhance service offerings.

Skills

Ecological surveys

Client relationship management

Project management

Biodiversity metric calculations

Education

Relevant undergraduate degree or higher

Full member of CIEEM

Job description

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Senior/Principal Ecologist - Team Lead, preston, lancashire

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Client:

Hays

Location:

preston, lancashire, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

1

Posted:

04.06.2025

Expiry Date:

19.07.2025

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Job Description:

Your new company
My client was established with the vision of delivering superior value through a unique approach to Geo and Environmental Consultancy, emphasising technical excellence, colleague wellbeing, and comprehensive team access at all levels.
By integrating employee training, welfare, and rewards, my client has been able to prioritise clients' needs and build strong relationships with various organisations. From the beginning, my client has grown organically, focusing on providing practical advice and guidance with clear leadership and straightforward goals.
My client is dedicated to recruiting and retaining top talent, upholding core values such as intellect, integrity, pragmatism, tenacity, and a personal touch. These values have consistently positioned my client as a trusted advisor to a diverse range of high-profile clients across all industry sectors.
Driven by the ambition to undertake exciting projects for ambitious clients, my client fosters a happy, productive, and nurturing workplace environment, ensuring the delivery of technically excellent advice - and is experiencing rapid growth.

They offer services in the following areas:

• Ecological Services
• Acoustic Services
• Air Quality Assessments
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Compliance Auditing

Your new role
My client is looking for a highly ambitious, self-motivated individual to join the team and provide top-notch ecological services. They value pragmatism, capability, dynamism, progressiveness, and spirit, and seek someone who embodies these qualities.
The position is based in their new Birmingham office, with the expectation of working on various projects across the UK. They have a current team of 12 Ecologists that you'll be working with, and an entire multidisciplinary team of circa 60 whom you'll occasionally work with.

They work on a range of projects including (not limited to):
- Residential
- Commercial
- Solar power/energy
- Indirect Environment Agency work
To deliver protected species, BNG, HRA services etc.
Responsibilities:

• Provide practical, accurate advice to clients.
• Conduct Ecological surveys, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (Phase 1 Habitat Survey/ UKHab) and Protected Species Surveys, independently following appropriate guidelines.
• Produce a range of ecological reports, including PEA, EcIA, protected species reports, biodiversity metric calculations, HRA screening assessments, management plans, and method statements, to a high standard and in line with best practice.
• Obtain Natural England Licences (bats and/or water vole preferred) and implement appropriate mitigation.
• Actively participate in the Ecology team, collaborate with the wider team, and mentor junior staff members.
• Manage responsibilities in line with the company structure.
• Collaborate with other disciplines within the consultancy to enhance service offerings.
• Advise clients throughout the planning process.
• Represent the company at networking and industry events.
• Build and maintain client relationships, and secure new business.

What you'll need to succeed

• Relevant undergraduate degree or higher.
• Full member of CIEEM.
• A proven track record of professional experience, with a background in consultancy.
• Proven track record of successful project delivery, including project management examples.
• Botanical skills equivalent to a FISC level 4 or above.
• Protected species licence; water vole or dormouse would be ideal as they are well equipped with others.

What you'll get in return

• Competitive salary, based on skills and experience, with annual reviews.
• Cycle to work scheme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Free parking, flu jabs, fitness classes
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service).
• Extensive training opportunities and supported CPD.
• Employee Assistance Programme, including counselling and legal assistance.
• Opportunities for volunteering and community action.
• Summer and Winter team-building days.
• Christmas Party.
• Option to work a 9-day fortnight.
• Mileage paid 45p p/mile.

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

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