Principal Ecologist

Overview

As Principal Ecologist, you will lead ecological delivery within the Nature Services team across Scotland and Ireland, guiding project workload and developing colleagues. You’ll work with clients, regulators, and cross-functional teams to shape nature-positive outcomes while growing your own expertise. You will manage surveys, reports, and licencing, and foster a collaborative, high-performance environment. This role offers impactful projects, professional development, and influence across infrastructure, energy, and green space initiatives.

Pay / Benefits

• work-life balance
• hybrid working policy (two days WFH)
• inclusivity and belonging
• Thrive wellbeing programme
• Virtual GP service
• Gymflex discount up to 40% for gym memberships

Responsibilities

• Provide motivational leadership and line management for team members at various grades, including workload planning and professional development
• Support Team Lead/Deputy Team Lead with project resourcing, health and safety, training, recruitment, and meetings
• Plan and undertake ecology surveys (Phase 1/UKHab and protected species surveys)
• Prepare and review ecological deliverables and reports (e.g., Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Protected Species Reports, Habitats Regulations Appraisals, licence applications)
• Undertake client liaison and project management
• Conduct consultation and negotiation with regulators and stakeholders
• Mentor junior team members and foster an enthusiastic, supportive environment
• Build and maintain a visible profile as a technical expert and collaborative leader
• Participate in team meetings and national initiatives
• Pursue professional development and share knowledge and opportunities for innovation

Key requirements

• Relevant academic qualification in ecology or related subject
• Full membership of CIEEM (ideally working towards chartership) or eligible to apply
• Proven experience motivating and leading others and managing workloads
• Advanced technical knowledge for designing and conducting ecology surveys and interpreting data
• Ability to produce high-quality, technically robust ecological reports and deliverables
• Experience in consultancy/regulatory/industrial contexts with strong communication and organisation skills
• Experience in project and budget management and client engagement (advantageous)
• Knowledge of ecology policy and guidance (Scotland) and attention to detail in data analysis (advantageous)
• Technical specialism or licences in protected species survey/mitigation (advantageous)
• Desire to develop core ecological and consultancy skills with team support

• Leadership
• Communication
• Organisation
• Phase 1 / UKHab habitat surveys
• Protected species surveys (badger, otter, bat, amphibians and reptiles)
• Habitat classification

Full job description from WhatJobs. Apply for this role →