At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ecological projects, ensuring sustainability and compliance while mentoring a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Avove, a leading infrastructure services provider focused on safety and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, car allowance, private health support, and a range of lifestyle benefits.
- Other info: We value diversity and inclusion, creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in ecology while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Ecology or related field with extensive consultancy experience.
We’re looking for a Principal Ecologist to work in our Environment & Ecology team.
Location: Birmingham
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £60,000 - £70,000, depending on experience, with flexibility for exceptional candidates. Salary may be negotiated further based on relevant experience, specialist expertise, and licences held.
Benefits: Car/allowance, discretionary bonus scheme, enhanced pension, family friendly policies.
Due to continued growth, we are looking for an experienced Principal Ecologist to join our team. In this key leadership role, you will provide expert ecological advice across utility infrastructure projects, ensuring environmental risks are effectively managed and ecological considerations are embedded throughout project delivery. You will lead on complex ecological assessments, protected species mitigation, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) strategies, and regulatory compliance, while working closely with multidisciplinary teams and key stakeholders. As a senior member of the ecology team, you will also mentor and develop colleagues, helping to build capability and support the continued growth of the business. This is an exciting opportunity for a commercially aware ecological professional who is passionate about delivering sustainable solutions and leading high-performing teams.
Responsibilities
- Lead ecological delivery across complex infrastructure projects, ensuring environmental considerations are embedded throughout the project lifecycle.
- Provide expert advice on ecological risks, constraints, mitigation, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), and regulatory compliance.
- Oversee and review ecological surveys, assessments, licence applications, and technical reports, ensuring high-quality outputs.
- Act as a technical lead, working closely with project teams, clients, regulators, and stakeholders to deliver practical and sustainable solutions.
- Ensure compliance with wildlife legislation, planning requirements, ecological licences, and industry best practice.
- Lead the development and implementation of biodiversity enhancement and habitat management strategies.
- Manage, mentor, and develop a team of ecologists, supporting performance, career progression, and professional development.
- Support resource planning, recruitment, and the continuous improvement of ecological standards and processes across the business.
- Promote innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence while supporting successful project delivery.
About you
- Degree qualified in Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, Zoology, or a related discipline.
- Experience managing people across different levels, helping them develop and succeed.
- Extensive experience in ecological consultancy or infrastructure projects, including leading complex ecological programmes.
- Strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy, protected species licensing, and ecological best practice.
- Proven experience in ecological surveys, impact assessments, mitigation, compliance, and habitat management.
- Experience delivering Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) strategies and working within EcIA, HRA, and EIA frameworks.
- Ability to provide pragmatic, commercially focused ecological advice and effectively manage ecological risks.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, report-writing, and technical review skills.
- Experience working collaboratively within multidisciplinary project teams.
- Commitment to continuous professional development and industry best practice.
- Full UK driving licence.
Desirable: Protected species licences, Chartered Ecologist status (or working towards), and experience in habitat creation and biodiversity enhancement projects.
This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa process. Applicants must therefore have, and maintain, an alternative right to work for the duration of employment.
What’s in it for you?
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Company car allowance
- Company pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Private GP Helpline & Health Cash Plan
- Avove Discount Scheme
- Family friendly policies
- A selection of lifestyle benefit options
- Financial wellbeing programme
- Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing and onsite mental health first aiders to support our colleagues
- We love to give back so we offer you volunteering days in your community and charity matched giving where we will boost your fundraising.
Why join Avove?
At Avove, we’re proud to create an environment where people can build meaningful careers, develop their skills and feel supported to reach their full potential. We invest in training and development, provide opportunities to grow, and are committed to a workplace where safety, wellbeing and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do. With a strong focus on supporting our people and their families through a broad range of benefits, Avove is a place where you can feel valued, make a real impact and take the next step in your career with confidence.
About Avove
Avove is a leading infrastructure services provider, delivering critical utility and energy solutions across the UK. With a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and innovation, we specialise in the design, maintenance, and renewal of essential infrastructure for water, energy, and telecoms networks. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to long-term investment in training, development, and modern equipment to support our teams in delivering high-quality, reliable services for our clients and communities.
We are an equal opportunities employer. At the heart of what we do is a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate what makes each of us unique and are building a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to be their authentic selves. If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the application or interview process, please let us know and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can support you.
Design - Principal Ecologist in Birmingham employer: Avove
At Avove, we believe in nurturing talent and fostering a culture of inclusivity, making it an exceptional place to work as a Senior Project Manager. Located in the West Midlands, you will benefit from a competitive salary, flexible benefits tailored to your needs, and opportunities for professional growth through continuous training and development. Join us in making a meaningful impact on communities while enjoying a supportive work environment that values your contributions and well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design - Principal Ecologist in Birmingham
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like Avove.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
Take advantage of niche job boards dedicated to environmental careers. Sites like Green Jobs, Environmental Career and EcoJobs often feature openings from companies like Avove and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Design - Principal Ecologist in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at Avove.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. Avove will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Design - Principal Ecologist at Avove. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Avove
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at Avove, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show Avove that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
