Technical Lead – Marine Ecology

Arup; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit Share

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Income protection

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Arup is seeking an experienced Technical Lead - Marine Ecologist to drive the growth, quality and sustainability of our Marine Ecology offering across the UK and Europe. This strategic role requires strong technical expertise in Marine Ecology, market mapping, client relationship building and strengthening internal capabilities.

You will lead opportunities with major clients, assess skills within the ecology team, ensure capacity and regulatory compliance on complex projects, and act as a

Qualifications

• Degree (and ideally postgraduate qualification) in Marine Ecology, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
• Chartered status (CEnv, CEcol or equivalent) desirable.
• Proven track record in Marine Ecology, with extensive project and technical leadership experience across UK and/or European waters.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, policy drivers, and best practice in marine ecology and marine environmental management.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain client relationships at senior levels.
• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application and for the duration of employment. Any offer made will be subject to satisfactory proof of immigration status.

Responsibilities

• Map existing and potential Marine Ecology opportunities within the UK and European markets, identifying client drivers, sector challenges and emerging opportunities.
• Build strong relationships with major clients, understanding their needs and positioning Arup as a trusted advisor in Marine Ecology.
• Audit the Marine Ecology supply chain, including partners, subcontractors, and collaborators, to ensure capacity and quality alignment.
• Conduct a full gap analysis to inform reskilling, recruitment, and strategic workforce planning for the marine ecology team.
• Secure and deliver new Marine Ecology lead roles on major projects, ensuring the function is self-sustaining and profitable.

Skills

Client relationships

Regulatory frameworks

Marine Ecology expertise

Project leadership

Education

Degree in Marine Ecology / Marine Biology / Environmental Science

Postgraduate qualification (preferred)

Job description

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, architects, consultants and technical specialists, working across every aspect of today’s-built environment.

Organizations and governments are becoming increasingly aware of the global nature crisis, their impact on it, and the need to move towards a nature-positive future. Our integrated nature solutions use nature’s own systems as a design guide, achieving healthier, more resilient environments that support and protect people and communities.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking Technical Lead - Marine Ecologist to drive the growth, quality, and sustainability of our Marine Ecology offering across the UK and Europe. This strategic role requires strong technical expertise in Marine Ecology, coupled with the ability to map market opportunities, build client relationships, and strengthen internal capabilities to meet growing demand.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in ensuring our Marine Ecology service line is commercially robust, technically excellent, and aligned with client needs and future market drivers.

You will be repsonsible for mapping out existing and potential Marine Ecology opportunities within the UK and European markets, identifying client drivers, sector challenges, and emerging opportunities. Building strong relationships with major clients, understanding their needs and positioning the organisation as a trusted advisor in Marine Ecology. Critically assess current skills, expertise distribution, and potential within the existing ecology team. Audit the Marine Ecology supply chain, including partners, subcontractors, and collaborators, to ensure capacity and quality alignment. Conduct a full gap analysis to inform reskilling, recruitment, and strategic workforce planning for the marine ecology team.

Secureing and delivering new Marine Ecology lead roles on major projects, ensuring the marine ecology function is self-sustaining and profitable. Provide subject matter expertise and oversight on complex marine ecology projects, ensuring delivery excellence and regulatory compliance.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective - in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share, and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

You will have the opportunity do socially useful work that has meaning - to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

Is this role right for you?

We Are Looking For People With The Following Skills

• Degree (and ideally postgraduate qualification) in Marine Ecology, Marine Biology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
• Chartered status (CEnv, CEcol or equivalent) desirable.
• Proven track record in Marine Ecology, with extensive project and technical leadership experience across UK and/or European waters.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, policy drivers, and best practice in marine ecology and marine environmental management.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain client relationships at senior levels.
• Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application and for the duration of employment. Any offer made will be subject to satisfactory proof of immigration status.

What We Offer You

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive - through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity orexpression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment thatembraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas - this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks supportour inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion - we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more aboutlife at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup .

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Eni Makobe at [e-mail] . to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your applicationor interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Closing date: 30 November 2026