Ecologist Lead (Milton Keynes)

Brindle & Green are seeking a suitably experienced Senior/Principal Ecologist to lead the operation and development of our new office in Milton Keynes. This is an exciting foundation and leadership role in this new location for the company. Supported by an administration function at the MK office, wider support remains centralised in Derby – although advanced systems enable the coordination of those Finance, HR and H&S functions to be just as accessible in MK. Established and senior team members in Derby are adjusting working patterns including some on a longer-term pattern to work in the new office to support the establishment of the new team and ensure that the Company’s culture is felt across the regions.

It would be within your remit to work to develop and strengthen the MK region in the Ecology Division. You will report to the Company’s Head of Ecology but hold a key role in client development and recruitment and in helping to establish the Company’s presence in this new part of the country. This is the perfect blend of autonomy with support and will appeal to forward thinking leadership professionals.

• Assist Head of Department with strategic functioning of the Ecology Department, including attendance at Senior Ecology meetings.
• Attend Middle Management Meetings with input into the wider Company direction with the Company’s MD.
• Lead and develop a small team of consultants within the wider Ecology Department – this includes workflow management, timesheet management, and monitoring of deadlines.
• Provide higher technical support to the Department Lead and deliver complex ecological reports, including Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) Assessments.
• Manage strategic ecological input on a range of projects, including multi-disciplinary schemes alongside our inhouse team of Landscape Architects, Arboricultural, Drainage and Heritage consultants.
• Conduct independent quoting of work, assist with tendering, and establish and maintain client relationships.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of UK and European wildlife legislation and planning policy.
• Liaise with clients, statutory bodies, and stakeholders to ensure high standards of service and compliance.
• Proven ability in technical report writing, including BNG, HMMPs, condition discharge and mitigation licensing.
• Demonstrate experience in team management.
• Demonstrated project management experience, with a focus on client liaison.
• Associate or Full membership of CIEEM – or working towards this.
• Strong knowledge of UK ecology, legislation, and planning policy.
• At least 5 years professional experience in an ecological consultancy or in a similar field.
• Proficiency in GIS or other mapping software.
• Full UK manual driving licence and willingness to travel for fieldwork as required – with access to a fleet of brand-new company cars provided.

• A supportive and flexible working environment, including TOIL, extended holiday and Company bank holidays!
• Unlimited training and CPD opportunities with a strong existing management structure to support career development.
• A chance to contribute meaningfully to diverse, high-profile projects.
• Reward package including private healthcare, additional leave, personalised gifts and enhanced pension contributions.
• A welcoming office in a stunning rural location in the Buckinghamshire countryside.

• General
  • Awareness of the financial targets of the department and your role and your team’s role in achieving these targets.
  • Provide highly technical and consistent report review and strive to maintain technical quality.
  • Provide technical guidance for the wider Department.
  • Undertake tasks as required for the Head of Department or Directors.
  • Sit within Middle Management meetings.
  • Attend Senior Ecologist meetings.
  • Lead in the day to day running of the department at the MK office.
• Line management
  • Ensuring team members are using the company’s systems appropriately and consistently.
  • Ensuring team members fill in timesheets and to review these weekly.
  • Use reviewed timesheets to keep TOIL logs updated.
  • Oversight of Department deliverables and your team’s workload.
  • You should have awareness of what your team members are achieving and use systems to monitor this appropriately.
  • You should be able to provide clear information on workloads and deliverables to the Head of Department.
  • Keep a log and awareness of your team members qualifications, memberships and training.
  • Assist your team with technical queries and assistance with prioritising work, client meetings, client correspondence, etc.
  • Conduct green folder meetings bi-annually and appraisals annually and assist and encourage your team members professional progression.
• Technical
  • Undertake own technical work and client management.
  • Quote work and assist with quoting work.
  • Hold own client relationships.
  • Invoice work.
  • Maintain own technical memberships, qualifications, and CPD.