The role

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading, managing and delivering ecology projects across a range of challenging and exciting schemes to the highest quality, drawing upon field experience and knowledge of the planning system. A technical focus is required, with excellent delivery experience and strong project management and communication skills. An inspiring approach and the ability to lead and manage staff is required. You will be a key contributor in developing and supporting the growth of the team to achieve business plan targets.

Key responsibilities

The successful candidate will be responsible for (but not limited to):

• Leading a portfolio of interesting and complex ecological projects from initial client liaison through to completion
• Mentoring and managing enthusiastic Ecologists by adopting a creative and an inspiring approach
• Contributing to business development activities including client relationships and writing fee proposals to expand our current portfolio
• Maintaining quality and health and safety standards
• Demonstrating efficient and profitable delivery

Essential requirements

The successful candidate must meet the following minimum requirements:

• Degree (or higher) in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related discipline
• Full Member of CIEEM (MCIEEM)
• Minimum 5 years’ professional ecological experience
• Strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and planning policy
• Proven experience delivering complex ecological projects
• Holder of one or more protected species licences
• Full UK driving licence

Technical

• Lead and review ecological surveys, including:
• Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), and Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA)
• Act as technical authority on protected species and habitats legislation
• Design and oversee mitigation, compensation, and enhancement strategies
• Hold and operate under relevant protected species licences (e.g. bats, GCN, otters, badgers)
• Provide Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) support on complex projects
• Review reports for quality, accuracy, and compliance with guidance

Project & Client Management

• Manage multiple projects from inception to completion
• Provide programme, budget, and risk management
• Act as lead point of contact for clients, planners, and statutory bodies
• Contribute to tendering, fee proposals, and bids
• Resolve technical and regulatory challenges efficiently

Leadership & Mentoring

• Line manage and mentor Assistant to Senior Ecologists
• Provide training and technical guidance
• Contribute to staff development, appraisals, and resource planning
• Promote high standards of health and safety and professional conduct

Business Development

• Support growth of ecological services and key client accounts
• Identify opportunities for repeat business and new work streams
• Represent the company at meetings, public inquiries, and stakeholder events

Key Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and mentoring capability
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Commercial awareness and project management skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a senior leadership team
• Excellent project management skills
• Initiative and drive, with a positive attitude and a strong desire to help grow a successful consultancy
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work under pressure to deadlines

The role

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing and running a team of Arboricultural Consultants and Surveyors, leading projects to deliver high quality arboricultural consultancy services, managing client relationships and undertaking business development activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of arboriculture projects across various sectors
• Support multi-disciplinary projects and offer advice and the benefit of your experience to the wider arboriculture team and the business
• Manage and undertake a variety of arboricultural surveys, large-scale risk assessments, tree management plans, tree mapping (CAD and ArcGIS Pro technology) and produce associated reports for submission to Local Planning Authorities and landowners
• Liaise with the Local Planning Authorities, planners, architects, and other professionals to inform the planning and design process
• Provide advice relating to Tree Preservation Orders, Felling Licences, tree work applications, Conservation Areas and High Hedges
• Operational including resourcing and financial management of the arboriculture team
• Manage client relationships and undertake business development activities
• Mentor and support the development of the team
• Maintain quality standards and demonstrate efficient and profitable delivery

Essential Requirements

• A degree in Arboriculture or related subject
• Membership of a relevant professional body such as the Arboricultural Association
• A minimum of 5+ years’ experience in an arboricultural consultancy role
• BS5837 consultancy skills and experience, producing reports, carrying out arboricultural impact assessments, arboricultural method statements and visual tree inspections
• Demonstrable team management experience
• Experience of writing fee proposals, tenders and engaging with clients and consultants/subconsultants
• Experience of managing large, long-term survey contracts engaging with multiple surveyors and stakeholders, ensuring excellent client relationships, profitability, quality standards and timely delivery
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong knowledge and experience of tree surveying techniques and risk/hazard assessment methodologies
• Strong working knowledge of current planning and environmental legislation
• AutoCAD and GIS proficiency
• Strong organisational skills and an ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Experience and ability to negotiate with and obtain agreement from a wide range of clients and statutory consultees
• Strong interpersonal skills and able to work at all levels with colleagues and clients
• A positive, enthusiastic and flexible approach, working under your own initiative or within a multidisciplinary team environment
• Full UK Driving Licence

The Role

You will be responsible for leading, managing and delivering ecology projects across a range of challenging and exciting schemes. A strong technical focus is required, including expertise in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), alongside excellent delivery experience and strong project management and communication skills.

You will have an inspiring approach and the ability to lead and manage staff. You will also be a key contributor in developing and supporting the growth of the team to achieve Business Plan targets.

• Leading a portfolio of interesting and complex ecological projects from initial client liaison through to completion.
• Delivering and advising on Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments, including use of the DEFRA Statutory Biodiversity Metric, and ensuring compliance with relevant planning policy and legislation.
• Advising on habitat creation, enhancement and management strategies to achieve measurable BNG outcomes and delivering corresponding Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMP).
• Supporting enthusiastic Assistant Ecologists and Assistant BNG Consultants by adopting an inspiring approach.
• Contributing to business development activities including client relationships and writing fee proposals to expand our current portfolio.
• Maintaining quality and health and safety standards.
• Demonstrating efficient and profitable project delivery.

Essential Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years’ experience as an Ecologist within consultancy.
• Full member of CIEEM.
• Excellent knowledge of UK and EC wildlife legislation, planning policy, and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements.
• Demonstrable experience in applying the DEFRA Statutory Biodiversity Metric and delivering BNG assessments and strategies.
• Working knowledge of EIA and the planning process.
• Experience of writing technical reports and delivery of EPSM licence documents; EcIA and ES Chapters.
• Excellent project management skills including financial control of projects, strong client liaison abilities and coordinating a team effort.
• Strong technical skills in one or more specialist areas.
• Initiative and drive, with a positive attitude and a strong desire to help grow a successful consultancy.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work under pressure to deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work at all levels with colleagues and clients that fully support the company values.

Desirable Skills and Experience

• Named ecologist on EPSM licences – Bats.
• Natural England Class 2 Bat Licence.
• Protected species licences such as great crested newts, dormice, otters, badgers.
• Proven experience of Habitat Regulations Assessments.
• Experience in securing and delivering off-site BNG solutions and liaising with stakeholders, landowners and planning authorities.
• GIS proficiency.
• Staff mentoring experience.

Additional Requirements

• A valid UK driving licence is essential for this role, as is the flexibility to work outside normal office hours and away from home as necessary.
• Enthusiastic and flexible approach to work.
• Ability to work under your own initiative and as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work at all levels with colleagues and clients that fully support the company values.