UK Principal Ecologist & Strategic Leader

Jacobs; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

24 days holiday

Robust Pension Contributions up to 10%

Health Coverage

Employee Networks & Communities of BC

Family Planning Support

Enhanced Parental Leave

Life assurance at 4x salary

Income Protection

Wellbeing Hub

Professional Development CPD

Community Engagement

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to lead its UK ecology team, with a focus on Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and other offices. You will steer strategic direction, mentor staff, and act as the go-to expert for clients, regulators, and partners on ecological planning and delivery.

You’ll oversee EIA, Biodiversity Net Gain, and related biodiversity strategies while driving cross-disciplinary solutions and pursuing new work opportunities across the UK and Ireland.

Qualifications

• Strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience.
• Chartered status (or ready to achieve it) and willingness to travel across UK and Ireland.
• Proven experience in line management, mentoring and developing teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic direction for the UK ecology team and contribute to UK-wide leadership.
• Inspire colleagues through empathetic, high-impact leadership and mentoring.
• Act as trusted advisor to clients, stakeholders and regulators.

Skills

Ecology leadership

Line management

Stakeholder engagement

Client relationship management

Strategic leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Field surveys & EIA

Biodiversity Net Gain

Education

Degree in Ecology/Environmental Science

Chartered status or eligible

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to lead its UK ecology team, with a focus on Birmingham, Edinburgh, London and other offices. You will steer strategic direction, mentor staff, and act as the go-to expert for clients, regulators, and partners on ecological planning and delivery.

You’ll oversee EIA, Biodiversity Net Gain, and related biodiversity strategies while driving cross-disciplinary solutions and pursuing new work opportunities across the UK and Ireland.