Overview

A unique opportunity has arisen for a motivated individual to take on a new role as a Principal Ecologist & Practice Manager at the UK’s largest enablement and ecological contracting organisation. Your role will primarily be to develop the consultancy elements of the company, including creating new opportunities, building a team and the management of existing projects.

This role would suit a proactive and pragmatic Senior or Principal Ecologist who is commercially driven, enthusiastic about developing a new element of the business and prepared to surpass expectations.

Role & Company:

In this role, you will develop and oversee a new consultancy element of the business. Working closely with the Managing Director, your role will be split 50/50 between business development and project delivery. You will deliver a high standard of project management including writing fee proposals/tenders, liaising with clients, consultants and contractors as well as managing project budgets. Working in collaboration with the design team, you will devise ecological mitigation and enhancement schemes. You will undertake financial and business management responsibilities and assist with continued company growth. Additionally, you will organise, manage and execute ecological surveys for all species and habitats as well as prepare and deliver a range of reports and protected species licences. You must be prepared to travel to different sites and to work ecology survey hours.

You will be joining a leading UK Specialist Contractor, with an enviable client list across the Construction, Civil Infrastructure, Rail and Utilities industries. Based across three offices in Leicestershire, the Wirral and Dorset, my client has a truly nationwide capability. The company offers a flexible and friendly working environment and benefits include: 28 days of annual leave, a generous annual training budget for structured training events, a pension scheme, a company laptop and iPhone, and flexible working hours.

Job Ref: 19825
Job Title: Principal Ecologist & Practice Manager
Location: North Leicestershire
Salary: £30,000 – £45,000 + company vehicle
Type: Permanent

Qualifications & Experience:

The successful candidate will have extensive experience of running larger ecology projects, detailed working knowledge of the planning system and construction industry, UK/EU wildlife legislation and UK ecology, both within the industry and from a personal interest, commercial awareness and engagement with the industry. Other requirements for this role include:

  • A degree and/or post-graduate qualification in a relevant discipline
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in ecological consultancy
  • Appropriate protected species licences
  • Associate or full membership of CIEEM
  • Proven commercial competency
  • Proven experience of producing technical reports, EPSM licences, tenders and effective communication with clients, third parties and colleagues
  • Demonstrable success of working in a busy team, people management and mentoring
  • Hold a full UK driving licence
  • Named ecologist on protected species licences (desirable)
  • Registered consultant for BLICL (desirable)
  • Marketing and tendering experience (desirable)

To discuss this role further, please contact Charis Evans on 020 7960 2588 or email