Senior/Principal Ecologist

Your new company A well-established and growing independent ecological consultancy is seeking a Senior or Principal Ecologist to support continued expansion. The business delivers a diverse portfolio of residential, BNG, habitat restoration, conservation and land management projects whilst maintaining a strong focus on technical quality and employee wellbeing. Unlike many larger multidisciplinary businesses, this consultancy has consciously chosen not to pursue major road and rail schemes, allowing ecologists to focus on projects they genuinely enjoy delivering. The result is a collaborative culture with sustainable workloads, strong staff retention and clear progression pathways. They pride themselves on their sector-leading staff wellbeing and reward. Read on to hear more! Your new role As a Senior or Principal Ecologist, you will take ownership of projects from inception through to completion whilst supporting the development of both clients and colleagues. Key responsibilities will include: Managing ecological projects, programmes and budgets Acting as a key point of contact for clients and stakeholders Delivering and reviewing technical reports Leading EcIAs, PEAs and protected species work Advising on Biodiversity Net Gain strategies Supporting business development and tender submissions Mentoring junior ecologists Line management responsibilities for senior-level appointments where appropriate Contributing to technical excellence and continuous improvement across the ecology teamFor Principal level applicants, there will also be opportunities to influence team growth, project delivery strategy and wider business development initiatives. What you'll need to succeed Degree in Ecology or a related subject. Significant consultancy experience within ecology Proven project management experience Strong commercial awareness and client management skills Excellent technical report writing and review capability Thorough knowledge of UK ecological legislation and planning policy Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously Ability to mentor and develop junior ecologists Full UK driving licence and vehicleMembership of CIEEM, FISC qualification and protected species licences would be advantageous. What you'll get in return Salary of £35,000 - £54,000 depending on experience Truly hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Project-related bonus scheme. Annual profit share scheme. Additional seasonal survey bonus opportunities. Structured TOIL system. Additional paid leave outside of annual holiday entitlement, an extra day off on your birthday and a volunteering day each year. Varied project portfolio across the South. Supportive team culture including mentoring and buddy scheme. Limited overnight stays due to local project focus and subcontractor survey support. Unlimited training allowance. Paid membership to CIEEM and NE licence renewals. Choice of two different pension schemes. More flexible/healthcare benefits. Genuine route to Associate-level progression What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or contact Hays Ecology for a confidential discussion. Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at (url removed)