Director Ecology & Biodiversity

Location: Can be based from any of our offices UK Wide / Hybrid

Salary: Competitive

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

About us: Arthian is a group of enthusiastic and personable planners, designers, environmental consultants, engineers, and safety professionals. We have grown to employ a technical team of over 200 to include supporting professionals across Scotland, Wales, England, and Ireland. We are seeking to recruit a Director of Ecology & Biodiversity (EB) to join our growing team to lead technical excellence and business growth. We are keen to hear from applicants with a wide range of backgrounds/specialisms and would welcome applications from existing Associate Director / Director of Ecology looking for their next challenge in a values-led consultancy.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the right candidate to take on a wide variety of challenges, including management of people, clients and projects, technical leadership, business development, commercial management, delivery of training etc. Please note that the company does not offer sponsorship and therefore candidates must have the legal right to live and work in the UK to be considered for this role.

The Role: This role is for a Director of Ecology & Biodiversity who will have responsibility for leading and developing our ecology team across the U.K. and beyond. Responsibilities will include:

• Contributing to the delivery of the company's net profit, and growth goals through co-ordinating and managing a technical business group, fit-for-purpose, aligned with the current business strategy and business plan.
• You will work with our EB managers in England and Scotland to ensure technical and operational excellence across our EB group as a whole.
• You will find our EB team professional and personable with an aspiration to develop themselves and their professional services.
• The selected candidate will work within a supportive and passionate team focusing on business development, successful project delivery, and client satisfaction.
• Some travel is involved, for which company pool cars are available and for which a valid U.K. driving licence will be required.

About you Qualifications: The ideal candidate will possess a BSc and/or MSc in Ecology or related discipline and a Membership of a relevant professional body such as the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We would welcome applications from Chartered Ecologists.

Competence: We are keen to hear from applicants with a wide range of backgrounds/specialisms and a wide range of competencies are beneficial for this role. These may include:

• Habitat survey and assessment
• Protected Species surveying, mitigation, and licensing
• Ornithological survey and assessment
• Leading and managing ecology, ornithology and ECoW teams
• Production of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) chapters
• Production of Habitats Regulations Appraisals (HRA) and Appropriate Assessments (AA)
• Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
• Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW), construction support, and delivery of pragmatic solutions
• Ecological project management
• Biodiversity net gain, and ESG

Experience: We are keen to hear how your professional experience can help us to deliver high quality ecology projects and support our team growth. We will expect applicants to be able to demonstrate some or all of the following:

• Excellent understanding of U.K. wildlife legislation, good practice guidance for ecological surveys and assessments and the planning process across the U.K.
• Strong background/specialism in one or more areas of ecological survey and assessment (e.g., plants/habitats, birds, other protected species)
• Strong project management abilities across a range of project types e.g., EcIAs for development, EIAs, Construction ecological support, habitat monitoring and restoration, BNG and ESG
• Experience of reviewing and coordinating EIA chapters
• Experience of reviewing HRAs and AAs
• A successful track record of leading ecology project teams in the U.K.
• Strong people and interpersonal skills to motivate and support our ecology team
• Strong report writing skills and communication with clients and other staff members
• Experience of managing frameworks for ecological services
• Experience of managing project budgets and financial reporting
• Experience of line management/ supervision of staff up to senior levels
• Experience of developing strategy and development goals for teams and business units

Benefits: Health Cash Plan, Hybrid & Flexible Working, Competitive Salary & Annual Review, Sponsored Company Social Events, Salary sacrifice schemes, eg, EV, cycle to work, holiday purchase, 33 days annual leave, Income Protection, Enhanced Maternity and Paternity policies.

To Apply: Please click on the APPLY button to send your CV and Cover Letter for this role. Please summarise what you can bring to the role and your salary expectation. Only those invited to interview will receive a response.