At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead ornithological services for impactful low carbon projects and mentor junior team members.
- Company: Respected environmental consultancy with a people-first culture and strong growth opportunities.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, career progression, and a collaborative environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on innovative solutions in the renewables sector.
- Why this job: Shape the future of ornithology in a key role that truly matters.
- Qualifications: Experience in ornithology, ecological consultancy, and proven people management skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 85000 £ per year.
A well-established, highly respected environmental consultancy that has spent over 15 years at the heart of the UK's net-zero economy. The person will have much more visibility and impact than they would at a larger consultancy. Ornithology is a key part of the renewables and overhead line work, so this hire really matters.
The role has genuine scope to help lead and develop the ornithology community of practice and influence ornithology delivery across the wider business, not just one office. You will work closely with GIS/modelling teams and develop innovative modelling approaches. The work involves challenging sites and sensitive species, which suits someone who enjoys complex technical delivery.
There’s scope to tailor the role around the person’s strengths, especially if they bring business development or broader business leadership. Part-time candidates would be considered.
With a reputation for expert, fuss-free advice and a genuinely collaborative culture, they support developers and infrastructure clients across the low carbon sector - from renewable energy to major nature-based and biodiversity-led projects. They invest seriously in developing their staff, encourage innovation from every level, and back it up with real career progression.
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.
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 experience.
- Proven people management and staff development experience.
- Comfortable leading both technically and commercially; business development 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.
Principal Ornithologist employer: CleanTech Talent
As a Principal Ornithologist with our well-established environmental consultancy, you'll thrive in a supportive and collaborative culture that prioritises employee growth and innovation. With a strong focus on the low carbon sector, this role offers you the chance to make a significant impact on medium and large-scale projects while enjoying flexible working arrangements and a genuine commitment to your professional development. Join us in shaping the future of ornithology within a people-first business that values your ideas and contributions.
