UK Ecology Leader: Principal/Associate Director

Jacobs; Leeds; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Global Career Framework

Chartership Academy

Employee Networks & Communities of PRA

Competitive salary

Holiday allowance

Enhanced Pension

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to lead the UK ecology team with focus on Birmingham, London, Edinburgh and beyond. You will shape strategic direction, mentor teams and manage client relationships across energy, water, transport and infrastructure sectors.

You’ll influence decisions with regulators and clients, drive biodiversity net gain and EIA work, and promote innovative ecological solutions across disciplines, traveling as needed across the UK and Ireland.

Qualifications

• Strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience.
• Chartered status (or ready to achieve it).
• Strategic mindset, contributing to senior leadership decisions.
• Proven experience in line management, mentoring and developing teams.
• Strong client-facing skills with regulators.
• Willingness to travel across the UK and Ireland.
• Hands-on leadership with strong self-awareness.
• Ability to adapt across diverse, complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction for the Birmingham ecology team.
• Mentor and inspire colleagues with high-impact leadership.
• Advise clients, stakeholders and regulators as go-to expert.
• Build strong client relationships and represent Jacobs externally.
• Oversee ecological monitoring and survey programmes.
• Collaborate across disciplines for integrated solutions.
• Identify, bid and win new work.
• Promote ecology capability across the business.
• Oversee resource planning for teams.

Skills

Ecology leadership

Line management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Client facing

Education

Chartered ecologist

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to lead the UK ecology team with focus on Birmingham, London, Edinburgh and beyond. You will shape strategic direction, mentor teams and manage client relationships across energy, water, transport and infrastructure sectors.

You’ll influence decisions with regulators and clients, drive biodiversity net gain and EIA work, and promote innovative ecological solutions across disciplines, traveling as needed across the UK and Ireland.