Principal Ecological Consultant – Leeds

Overview

We are looking for a self- motivated Principal Ecological Consultant to join our Leeds office at an exciting time for development in Northern England. The postholder will be integral to further building our presence in the area and will have the technical expertise to support and manage large infrastructure projects. You will work closely with our ecologists, marine biologists and arboriculturists in our other offices and our sister company Thomson Habitats to assist clients in managing development impacts on species and their habitats.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and developing client relationships
• Providing sound high level ecological advice to clients
• Successfully managing projects from enquiry through to delivery of data/report
• Producing meticulous and accurate reports for clients on time and within budget
• Mentoring and supervising junior staff
• Reviewing and approving reports
• Identifying and generating new business leads.

Key attributes and experience

This is a client facing role, and therefore you will require the skills to be an involved and informed project manager who can manage and maintain successful client relationships; assisting with business development initiatives and writing quotations and tenders. You will therefore need to be commercially aware, self-motivated, organised and have excellent communication skills.

We are looking for someone who shares our core values and who can contribute to innovation and business development.

Ideally you will have:

• Proven demonstrable experience within a commercial ecological consultancy
• An in-depth knowledge of ecology, legislation, and survey techniques and an enthusiasm for keeping up to date with new technologies and best practice guidelines
• Considerable experience in writing technical proposals, reports, Environmental Statement (ES) chapters, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)
• Line management experience
• Planning and delivering ecological mitigation/compensation measures
• Advanced species knowledge and field skills, experience in one or more specialist areas
• A minimum of one protected species licence
• Exceptional planning and organisational skills for your own time and project work
• Capable of working under pressure with the ability to meet critical deadlines
• Creative approach to delivering ecological projects
• A degree or postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in an ecological or related subject
• A full UK driving licence and use of a car
• Full membership of CIEEM (or to have eligibility if not currently held)

Working for Thomson Ecology

We offer a competitive salary, a performance related bonus scheme, fantastic on-the-job training and a range of other company benefits including contributory pension scheme, payment of a professional membership fee and discounted gym membership.  In addition to 25 days’ annual leave pro-rata (plus public holidays) we offer staff the ability to buy additional leave during the winter months and to request extended periods of leave, to travel or pursue other interests.

This is a permanent position based in our modern offices in Leeds city centre.  The successful candidate will live within commuting distance of Leeds or be prepared to relocate.

How to apply

For an informal chat about the role, please feel free to contact Katie Hamilton-Boxall, Recruitment Advisor on 01483 466000.

Alternatively, please apply as soon as possible with your CV and a convincing covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (max 500 words) to recruitment@thomsonecology.com