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- Tasks: Lead exciting freshwater fisheries projects and mentor a talented team.
- Company: Join APEM, a forward-thinking company dedicated to environmental solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, professional development, and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental challenges while shaping the future of fisheries consultancy.
- Qualifications: Strong background in freshwater fisheries ecology and project management skills.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 70000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced fisheries professional ready to step into a role where you can shape projects, support clients and develop others? Do you enjoy working in partnership with clients to help them navigate complex environmental challenges? We are looking for a Principal Consultant - Freshwater Fisheries to join APEM's nationwide team within our Water Management Division. This is a standout opportunity to take a leading role in a team delivering some of the most interesting and varied fisheries work across the UK.
Our work with water companies, regulators and infrastructure clients often goes beyond traditional consultancy; we work closely with them to explore challenges, share insight and guide the best path forward. That means you won't just be delivering surveys or reports. You'll be helping clients understand their options, providing clear, evidence-led advice and supporting them to make confident, informed decisions. Alongside this, you'll play a key role in leading and developing others. Our Senior Consultants and Scientists are a talented and growing group, and this role is central to providing the mentoring, guidance and support that helps them thrive - whether that's technical development, project delivery or building confidence in client-facing work. This is a role where you can make a genuine impact; on projects, on people and on the direction of the team.
Responsibilities
- Leading a diverse portfolio of freshwater fisheries and multidisciplinary projects
- Setting technical direction across fisheries surveys, assessments and mitigation design
- Working closely with clients to understand challenges and provide clear, practical advice
- Managing complex projects from early-stage opportunities through to delivery
- Leading and contributing to tenders, including defining scope and setting budgets
- Building and strengthening long-term client relationships
- Mentoring, supporting and line managing Senior Consultants and Scientists
- Reviewing technical outputs and ensuring high standards across the team
- Identifying opportunities for growth and supporting the expansion of APEM's fisheries services
- Collaborating across disciplines to deliver integrated environmental solutions
Qualifications
- Strong experience in freshwater fisheries ecology and ecological assessment, ideally within consultancy
- Extensive experience designing and delivering fisheries surveys
- Deep knowledge of aquatic ecology and relevant UK legislation (e.g. WFD, EIA, HRA)
- Proven ability to lead complex projects and manage competing priorities
- Strong client-facing experience and the ability to provide clear, confident advice
- Experience mentoring, supporting or managing others
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- Bonus: Chartered status or working towards professional accreditation
- Bonus: Strong experience leading tenders and winning work
- Bonus: Experience working on large, multidisciplinary or high-profile projects
We are focused on creating a diverse and inclusive team. If you can't tick every box on our job description, then we are still keen to hear from you and are open to supporting your development. That may be working part time or supporting you to gain experience in a specific area – we are a growing company and are able to adapt roles to reflect individual skills.
Principal Consultant - Freshwater Fisheries in Manchester employer: APEM Ltd
Contact Detail:
APEM Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Consultant - Freshwater Fisheries in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the fisheries field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential employers and showcase your expertise.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of UK legislation and recent developments in freshwater fisheries. Be ready to discuss how you can help clients navigate their challenges with clear, evidence-led advice.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! When discussing your experience, highlight times you've mentored others or led complex projects. This will demonstrate your ability to guide and develop a team, which is key for the Principal Consultant role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our growing team at APEM.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Consultant - Freshwater Fisheries in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in freshwater fisheries and consultancy. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Client-Facing Skills: Since this role involves a lot of client interaction, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to build relationships and provide clear advice. Share examples of how you've successfully navigated complex challenges with clients in the past.
Highlight Your Leadership Experience: As a Principal Consultant, you’ll be mentoring others, so make sure to mention any experience you have in leading teams or supporting colleagues. We’re keen to see how you’ve helped others grow in their roles!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get you into our system quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at APEM Ltd
✨Know Your Fisheries Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of freshwater fisheries ecology and relevant UK legislation. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, the challenges faced, and how you navigated them. This will show your expertise and confidence in the field.
✨Showcase Your Client Engagement Skills
Since this role involves working closely with clients, think of examples where you've successfully built relationships and provided clear, practical advice. Highlight your ability to understand client needs and how you’ve helped them make informed decisions.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Mentoring Experience
Prepare to talk about your experience in leading teams and mentoring others. Share specific instances where you've guided colleagues through complex projects or helped them develop their skills. This will illustrate your capability to support and develop the team at APEM.
✨Be Ready for Technical Discussions
Expect to dive into technical details regarding fisheries surveys, assessments, and mitigation design. Brush up on recent trends and methodologies in the field, and be ready to discuss how you would set technical direction for projects. This will demonstrate your readiness to take on a leading role.