Technical Director - Ecology

AECOM-1; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure consulting firm seeks a Technical Director to join the Ecology team in the UK. Your role will involve leading ecological projects, managing assessments, and mentoring team members. The ideal candidate has a degree in ecology, experience with biodiversity legislation, and strong project management skills. This is a hybrid position based in multiple locations across the UK.

Benefits

Hybrid working model

Professional development opportunities

Comprehensive benefits package

Qualifications

• Experience leading and managing biodiversity assessments.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant biodiversity legislation and policy.
• Experience of managing projects and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and delivery of ecological inputs.
• Produce and review ecological assessments.
• Project-manage ecology input into large schemes.
• Lead consultation with clients and stakeholders.
• Support the development of technical capabilities.
• Mentor and support junior staff.

Skills

Ecological assessments

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in ecology or an associated subject

Membership of appropriate professional institution

Job description

Company Description

At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. Whether it’s improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. As the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, we partner with clients to solve complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of nearly 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We’re one global team driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Start here. Grow here.

Are you ready to join a team of talented Ecologists and shape the future of the environment? Join our dynamic Nature team as Technical Director in our UK and Ireland offices, including Manchester, Leeds, Basingstoke, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Cambridge, Dublin, Edinburgh, Nottingham, Bristol and Liverpool. We operate a hybrid working model so you can be in the office or work from home to suit the requirements of the job.

Our Nature team works on a mix of large infrastructure projects in the energy, water, renewables, defence and transport sectors, alongside managing smaller local projects. The vast majority of our projects are based in the UK and Ireland.

We are looking for a technical leader who can help us shape and drive the ecology team within UK&I. Your expertise on ecological assessments and project management will ensure that projects are delivered on time, to budget, and to the high standard expected by AECOM, our clients and the ecology profession. You will be a member of the wider ecology leadership team in UK&I and will influence the direction and future of our team and our work. You will be client‑facing as well as a coach and mentor to our team. Your work will balance work‑winning, project management, and delivery.

Depending on your interests and skillset, you will have opportunities to support a variety of areas such as innovative survey techniques for species and habitat surveys, data capture and reporting, work‑winning, management of projects, Habitats Regulations Assessments and leadership and coaching opportunities. Our supportive environment offers both internal and external training opportunities within a nurturing mentoring and coaching framework.

What you’ll do

• Lead the planning and delivery of ecological inputs for both internal and external clients.
• Produce and technically review a range of ecological assessments including Preliminary Ecological Appraisal, Protected Species Baseline Reports, Ecological Impact Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain calculations.
• Provide technical leadership to support the delivery of proportionate and pragmatic solutions.
• Project‑manage the ecology input into large schemes.
• Lead consultation and engagement with clients and key project stakeholders including planning authorities, statutory bodies and the public.
• Play a key role in the continued development of our technical capabilities and encourage the embedding of innovation/research.
• Lead the production of bids and tenders for ecological services.
• Mentor and support both junior staff and peers.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in ecology or an associated subject.
• Membership of an appropriate professional institution and working towards or obtained Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Environmentalist status.
• Excellent knowledge of relevant biodiversity legislation and policy, and reporting skills.
• Experience of leading and managing biodiversity assessments (major planning applications and DCO submissions) as demonstrated by suitable professional experience.
• Experience in managing projects, project budgets and leading stakeholder discussions, and bidding/tendering.
• Experience of reviewing/verifying technical work and supporting wider team members.

Additional Information

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you! Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more.

For further information about the role, reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn (Melissa Moody).

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. Across transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public‑ and private‑sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at [e-mail]. We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long‑term condition who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed. You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, inviting everyone to bring their whole selves to work using unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients. AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well‑being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry‑leading technology, transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential and will help you reach yours.