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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead diverse freshwater fisheries projects and provide expert advice to clients.
- Company: Join APEM, a leader in environmental consultancy with a focus on water management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and the chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunity to work on high-profile projects and collaborate across disciplines.
- Why this job: Shape the future of fisheries while mentoring talented professionals in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong background in freshwater fisheries ecology and project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 ÂŁ per year.
About The Role
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’re looking for a Principal – 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.
What you’ll be doing:
- 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
What we’re looking for:
You’ll need to bring:
- 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
It’s a bonus if you have:
- Chartered status or working towards professional accreditation
- Strong experience leading tenders and winning work
- Experience working on large, multidisciplinary or high‑profile projects
Principal Consultant - Freshwater Fisheries in Manchester employer: APEM
Contact Detail:
APEM 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! Get out there and connect with people in the fisheries field. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues or clients on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or clients, make sure to highlight your experience in freshwater fisheries ecology and project management. Share specific examples of how you've tackled complex challenges and provided clear, evidence-led advice.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After interviews or networking events, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for passionate individuals who want to make an impact in freshwater fisheries. By applying directly, you’ll ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you might just land that dream job with us!
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 relevant projects you've led or contributed to.
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 client challenges in the past – we love seeing that kind of experience!
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 know how you’ve helped others grow in their roles and how you can bring that to our team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at APEM
✨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-Facing Skills
Since this role involves a lot of client interaction, think of examples where you've successfully built relationships or provided clear advice to clients. Practice articulating these experiences so you can demonstrate your ability to guide clients through complex environmental challenges.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Experience
As a Principal Consultant, you'll be mentoring others. Prepare to discuss your experience in leading teams, managing projects, and supporting colleagues. Share specific instances where your guidance made a difference in project outcomes or team development.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions related to fisheries surveys, assessments, and mitigation design. Review common methodologies and be ready to explain your approach to managing complex projects. This will help you convey your technical direction and problem-solving skills effectively.