Strategic Ecologist Leader — Associate Director

Jacobs; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension (8%)

Life assurance

Professional development

Volunteer program support

Hybrid & flexible hours

Medical cover & digital GP

Counselling services

Financial planning

Job summary

Jacobs seeks an experienced Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to shape our Irish ecology team within the European ecology business. This is a pivotal role requiring strategic leadership, client engagement and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The successful candidate will drive growth, mentor teams, lead EIA and biodiversity strategies, and help win future work across the UK and Ireland.

Qualifications

• A strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience.
• Chartered status (or ready to achieve it).
• A strategic mindset, with the ability to contribute to senior leadership decisions.
• Strong client-facing skills and confidence engaging with stakeholders and regulators.
• A flexible approach, with willingness to travel across the UK and Ireland when needed.
• A proactive, hands-on leadership style with strong self-awareness.
• The ability to adapt and thrive across diverse, complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Help steer the strategic direction of the team, contributing to wider UK ecology leadership
• Act as a trusted advisor – the go-to expert for clients, stakeholders and regulators
• Lead high-value client relationships and represent Jacobs externally
• Although you won’t have any defined line-management responsibilities, you’ll drive team growth, resilience and performance through mentoring and empathetic leadership
• Oversee and guide EIA, Appropriate Assessment and biodiversity strategies
• Design and lead ecological monitoring programmes and survey strategies
• Work across disciplines to deliver integrated, innovative project solutions
• Play a key role in identifying, bidding and winning new work
• Champion your team internally, raising its profile across the wider business

Skills

Terrestrial ecology

Strategic leadership

Client facing

Regulatory engagement

UK & Ireland travel

Hands-on leadership

Adaptability

Job description

Jacobs seeks an experienced Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to shape our Irish ecology team within the European ecology business. This is a pivotal role requiring strategic leadership, client engagement and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The successful candidate will drive growth, mentor teams, lead EIA and biodiversity strategies, and help win future work across the UK and Ireland.