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- Tasks: Lead ecological projects and provide expert advice on rail and infrastructure schemes.
- Company: Dynamic environmental consultancy with a focus on sustainability and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, private medical insurance, and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on ecological solutions while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Ecology or Environmental Science and significant consultancy experience.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and mentoring junior staff.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Specialist environmental consultancy delivering high-quality rail and infrastructure projects with a collaborative culture, strong career progression.
Our client is a specialist environmental and sustainability consultancy supporting UK rail and infrastructure projects from planning through to construction. With offices in London, Ipswich and Basingstoke, the team provides practical, high-quality ecological solutions for complex schemes and continues to grow its ecology capability in response to increasing client demand.
A growing independent environmental and sustainability consultancy is seeking an experienced Principal Ecologist to lead and deliver ecological services across a range of rail and infrastructure schemes.
The Role
As Principal Ecologist, you will take a leading role in managing ecological projects from inception through to completion, ensuring technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and successful outcomes for clients. You will provide expert ecological advice across all project stages, from early planning through to construction and delivery. You will be responsible for overseeing survey design, technical reporting, licensing, and mitigation strategy development, as well as supporting junior staff and contributing to the growth of the ecology team.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage ecological projects, including work undertaken by sub-consultants, ensuring compliance with UK environmental legislation and rail industry standards.
- Design, plan and oversee ecological surveys, including Phase 1 and Phase 2 habitat assessments, protected species surveys, Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs) and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments.
- Develop and implement mitigation strategies and biodiversity net gain solutions for rail and infrastructure projects.
- Prepare, review and sign off technical reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Ecological Impact Assessments, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) chapters and technical appendices.
- Provide ecological input to project teams during planning, design and construction phases, identifying constraints and advising on solutions.
- Obtain and manage ecological licences and consents for protected species, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.
- Represent the business at client, stakeholder and technical meetings, providing expert ecological advice.
- Mentor, support and quality assure the work of junior ecologists, supporting their professional development.
- Support bid preparation, fee proposals and business development activities within the rail ecology sector.
About You
- Degree qualified in Ecology, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
- Significant experience working in ecological consultancy, ideally within the rail or infrastructure sectors.
- Strong technical background in habitat and protected species surveys.
- Proven experience managing complex projects and leading ecological workstreams.
- In-depth knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and planning policy.
- Experience obtaining and managing protected species licences.
- Excellent report writing, communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Ideally a full or associate member of CIEEM (or working towards).
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Company pension scheme
- Private medical insurance
- Life insurance / death in service cover
- Health and wellbeing programme
- Free parking at selected office locations
- Company events and team activities
- Flexible working arrangements (often referenced as part of culture, depending on role)
- Supportive work environment with professional development opportunities
Principal Ecologist in London employer: Bridgewater Consultancy UK Ltd
Contact Detail:
Bridgewater Consultancy UK Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Ecologist in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and engage on social media. The more you network, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences and how you've tackled ecological challenges in past projects. This is your time to shine and show them why you're the perfect fit for the Principal Ecologist role.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every company is different, so make sure you tailor your conversations to match their values and projects. Research their recent work and mention how your skills can help them achieve their goals. It shows you're genuinely interested and invested in their success.
✨Apply Through Our Website
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 take the initiative to connect directly with us. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Ecologist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Ecologist role. Highlight your experience in ecological consultancy, especially within rail and infrastructure projects. We want to see how your skills align with the job description!
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 your background makes you the perfect fit for our team. Don’t forget to mention any relevant projects you've led or contributed to.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to showcase your technical expertise in habitat assessments, protected species surveys, and report writing. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what you bring to the table!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bridgewater Consultancy UK Ltd
✨Know Your Ecology Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and planning policy. Be prepared to discuss specific ecological projects you've managed, especially in the rail or infrastructure sectors. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to talk about how you've led complex ecological projects from start to finish. Highlight your experience with survey design, technical reporting, and compliance with environmental legislation. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to manage teams and mentor junior staff.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about specific ecological assessments like Phase 1 and Phase 2 habitat assessments or Biodiversity Net Gain solutions. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to explain your approach to developing mitigation strategies and obtaining ecological licences.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since you'll be representing the consultancy at client and stakeholder meetings, practice how you would communicate complex ecological advice clearly and effectively. Think of examples where you've successfully navigated stakeholder relationships and how you can bring that experience to the role.
