Principal Consultant Ornithologist in Cheshire, Chester

North Wales, Inverness or Edinburgh

Hybrid/Flexible

Full time or part time considered

Starting at £45k + bonus + top benefits

Company Overview - well-established, highly respected environmental consultancy that has spent over 15 years at the heart of the UK's net-zero economy. Big influence, medium-company feel: the person will have much more visibility and impact than they would at a larger consultancy. Strategic importance: ornithology is a key part of the renewables and overhead line work, so this hire really matters. Shape the service line: the role has genuine scope to help lead and develop the ornithology community of practice. Cross-business reach: influence ornithology delivery across the wider business, not just one office. Collaborative technical environment: work closely with GIS/modelling teams and has developed innovative modelling approaches. Brilliant reputation for problem-solving: the work involves challenging sites and sensitive species, which suits someone who enjoys complex technical delivery. Supportive structure: there’s scope to tailor the role around the person’s strengths, especially if they bring BD or broader business leadership. Flexible working: part-time candidates would be considered.

With a reputation for expert, fuss-free advice and a genuinely collaborative, one-team culture, they support developers and infrastructure clients across the low carbon sector - from renewable energy to major nature-based and biodiversity-led projects. They are known in the market as a people-first business: one that invests seriously in developing its staff, encourages innovation from every level, and backs it up with real career progression rather than just promising it. For a senior specialist looking for a business that will genuinely listen to their ideas and back their growth, this is a rare opportunity.

The Role - This is a senior, leadership-level opportunity to join a highly regarded Ecology team as Principal Ornithologist, working closely with the organisation's Senior Leadership Team. You'll take a lead role in shaping and delivering ornithological services across a portfolio of medium and large-scale projects central to the low carbon economy - while also playing a genuine hand in developing the team’s future direction, from service innovation to how data is collected and analysed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Direct and manage a range of medium and large projects delivering high-quality Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitat Regulations Appraisal (HRA) services
• Play an active role in shaping the ornithology service offering, bringing new ideas to life as practical client solutions
• Build and maintain solid stakeholder relationships with bodies
• Own and grow key client relationships
• Work alongside a highly regarded in-house GIS team to strengthen expertise in collision risk modelling, spatial modelling, displacement analysis, and population viability analysis
• Support with resource and business planning, or learn if stepping up
• Mentor and advise junior team members - deputising where required
• Act as a trusted technical authority, championing best practice both internally and with external partners

About You:

• Experience in ornithology/ecological consultancy
• Onshore renewables or wind farm EIA
• Proven people management and staff development experience.
• Comfortable leading both technically and commercially; BD capability would be a plus.
• Able to work across complex/problem sites and collaborate with GIS/modelling teams.
• Working knowledge of UK legislation and guidance relevant to ornithological assessment
• Confident communicator, able to flex between strategic and highly technical conversations with clients and stakeholders
• A genuinely collaborative, flexible approach to team working, paired with natural curiosity and an appetite to innovate
• Sound understanding of health & safety practice and risk assessment relevant to ecological fieldwork

What’s on Offer:

• Competitive salary, benchmarked to experience and market rate
• Annual discretionary performance bonus (paid out in each of the last three years)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, and a pension scheme
• Flexible benefits including an employee assistance programme, cycle to work scheme, and tax-free childcare
• Genuine hybrid/flexible working to support work-life balance
• A clear, supported path for career progression, underpinned by a buddying and mentoring culture
• The opportunity to lead on high-profile, cutting-edge projects shaping the UK's low carbon future

Next Steps - APPLY NOW or reach out to Jim Merryfield at CleanTech Talent. Feel as though you’re operating at a senior level but don’t hit all the requirements? We encourage you to apply as we have flexibility based on the individual experience.