Water Ecology Team Leader

Advance TRS; Guildford; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Healthcare support

Enhanced pension contributions

Life insurance

Professional membership support

Performance-related rewards

Flexible remote working

Job summary

Advance TRS is seeking a Water Ecology Team Leader to join its multidisciplinary environmental team on a predominantly remote basis in the UK. This senior role combines technical leadership, project management and business development to guide aquatic projects and grow client relationships.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in aquatic/hydro-ecology, experience leading teams, and a proven track record in delivering reports and managing budgets within an environmental consultancy.

Qualifications

• Senior level environmental consultancy experience.
• Strong aquatic survey and regulatory knowledge.
• Excellent report-writing and communication skills.
• Experience mentoring staff and leading teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a specialist water ecology team with workload management and mentoring.
• Provide technical oversight and review reports and environmental deliverables.
• Manage complex hydro-ecological projects from inception to completion.
• Manage project budgets, forecasting and financial performance.
• Build and maintain client relationships and support business development.
• Prepare and contribute to bids, tenders and proposals.
• Advise on aquatic ecology legislation, policy and best practice.
• Support delivery of surveys (macroinvertebrate, water quality, fish, habitat, eDNA, invasive species).
• Contribute to environmental assessments including Water Framework Directive, Habitats Regulations, EIA and nutrient neutrality.
• Support permitting and licensing activities where required.

Skills

Aquatic ecology

Project leadership

Client relationship

Technical report writing

Budget management

Mentoring staff

Business development

Education

Aquatic ecology / hydro-ecology background

Environmental consultancy experience

Job description

Water Ecology Team Leader

Advance TRS is working with a growing environmental consultancy to recruit a Water Ecology Team Leader to join its multidisciplinary environmental team on a predominantly remote basis in the UK.

This is a senior opportunity for an experienced aquatic ecology or hydro-ecology professional looking to combine technical leadership, project management, team development and business growth.

The Role

The successful candidate will lead a specialist water team, providing technical direction across complex aquatic and hydro-ecological projects while developing client relationships and supporting new business opportunities.

Key responsibilities will include

• Leading and developing a specialist water ecology team, including workload management, mentoring and training.
• Providing technical oversight and reviewing reports and environmental deliverables.
• Managing complex hydro-ecological projects from inception through to completion.
• Managing project budgets, forecasting and financial performance.
• Building and maintaining relationships with clients and supporting business development.
• Preparing and contributing to bids, tenders and proposals.
• Providing advice on aquatic ecology legislation, policy and best practice.
• Supporting delivery of surveys including macroinvertebrate, water quality, fish, habitat, eDNA and invasive species assessments.
• Contributing to environmental assessments including Water Framework Directive, Habitats Regulations, EIA and nutrient neutrality assessments.
• Supporting relevant permitting and licensing activities where required.

About You

The ideal candidate will have:

• Professional experience within environmental consultancy.
• A strong background in aquatic ecology, freshwater ecology, hydro-ecology or a closely related discipline.
• Experience leading projects and providing technical advice.
• Demonstrable experience developing client relationships and winning new work.
• Strong knowledge of aquatic survey methodologies, environmental legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent technical report-writing and assessment skills.
• Previous experience managing or mentoring staff.
• Strong commercial awareness and experience managing project budgets.
• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• A proactive and collaborative approach to problem solving.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle with appropriate business insurance.

What’s on Offer

The successful candidate will join a supportive and collaborative environmental consultancy with opportunities to work across disciplines and contribute to technically challenging and high-profile projects.

The package includes 25 days' annual leave, healthcare support, enhanced pension contributions, life insurance, professional membership support, performance-related rewards and a range of additional employee benefits.

The role also offers flexible remote working, ongoing technical training and strong opportunities for career progression. Applicants must hold existing right to work in the UK and be resident in the UK in order to attend site visits.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.