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- Tasks: Lead a team of ecologists and shape ecological strategies for impactful projects.
- Company: Dynamic ecology consultancy focused on major infrastructure and environmental projects.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, company car, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on ecology while guiding a talented team towards excellence.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in ecology consultancy and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Clear career progression towards Associate Director in a growing practice.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
We are looking for a Principal Ecologist to play a leading role in the growth and direction of a small but highly versatile ecology consultancy. This is the ideal opportunity for someone who wants to make a genuine impact—shaping strategy, elevating quality, and guiding how ecology supports major infrastructure, environmental and renewables projects across the UK. For the right individual, there is clear development potential towards Associate Director.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and inspire a team of ecologists at all levels, establishing clear paths for technical excellence and leadership development.
- Shape ecological strategy for infrastructure and environmental projects from early feasibility stages through to on-site delivery.
- Enhance quality and consistency, embedding strong QA processes and mentoring frameworks across all outputs.
- Support business growth, identifying opportunities within renewables, biodiversity net gain, and major civils frameworks.
- Contribute to environmental strategy and bids, helping secure and deliver multidisciplinary projects.
- Champion early integration, ensuring ecological considerations influence design and construction decisions—not just final compliance stages.
Requirements
- Proven experience as a Principal Ecologist within consultancy.
- Strong commercial acumen, including bid leadership, budget management, and ensuring profitable delivery.
- In-depth understanding of UK/EU ecological legislation, mitigation design, and biodiversity net gain policy.
- Demonstrable experience in team leadership, coaching, and developing others.
- One or more protected species licences (e.g., bats, GCN).
What's on Offer
- £45k-£55k base salary (DOE)
- Company car or car allowance
- 28 days annual leave + bank holidays
- Pension, funded CPD and leadership development pathways
- Opportunity to influence the future direction of a growing ecology practice.
This permanent vacancy is being advertised on behalf of Benjamin-Grace who are operating as an Employment Agency.
Principal Ecologist in Norton employer: Benjamin Grace
Contact Detail:
Benjamin Grace Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Ecologist in Norton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with other ecologists and professionals in the industry. Attend conferences, workshops, or local meet-ups to make those valuable connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, be ready to discuss your experience with ecological legislation and project management. Share specific examples of how you've led teams and shaped strategies in past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t shy away from asking questions during interviews! This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to their projects. Plus, it gives you a chance to highlight your knowledge about biodiversity net gain and renewables.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application and help you land that Principal Ecologist role. Make sure to tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect your leadership skills and commercial acumen—this is your time to shine!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Ecologist in Norton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Principal Ecologist role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those related to infrastructure and environmental consultancy.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about ecology and how you can contribute to our consultancy's growth. Be sure to mention your understanding of UK/EU ecological legislation and your experience with biodiversity net gain.
Showcase Your Team Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to include examples of how you've inspired and developed others in your previous positions. We want to see your coaching style and how you've fostered technical excellence in your teams.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Benjamin Grace
✨Know Your Ecology Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK/EU ecological legislation and biodiversity net gain policies. Be ready to discuss how you've applied this in past projects, as it shows you're not just familiar with the theory but can also implement it effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading and mentoring teams. Think about specific situations where you inspired others or developed their skills—this is crucial for a Principal Ecologist role.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to talk about your experience with bid leadership and budget management. Companies want to see that you understand the business side of ecology consultancy and can contribute to profitable project delivery.
✨Think Strategy
Come equipped with ideas on how to shape ecological strategies for infrastructure projects. Discuss how you would ensure ecological considerations are integrated from the start, not just at the compliance stage—this will show your forward-thinking approach.
