Principal Ecologist

Principal Ecologist

Exeter Full-Time 36000 - 66000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Go Premium
C

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead ecological projects and mentor a talented team of ecologists.
  • Company: Join a values-driven company focused on meaningful environmental outcomes.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, healthcare, pension, and profit-sharing opportunities.
  • Why this job: Work on diverse projects while contributing to environmental sustainability and advancing your career.
  • Qualifications: Relevant degree in ecology and proven experience at Senior Ecologist level required.
  • Other info: Full UK driving licence and CIEEM membership preferred.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 66000 £ per year.

Job Description

An excellent opportunity for an experienced ecologist to step into a senior leadership role, delivering complex and varied projects across multiple sectors. You’ll support and mentor a talented team of ecologists, while also building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, design teams, and regulators.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead on the delivery of ecological projects, including EcIAs, HRAs, BNG assessments, ES chapters and management plans
  • Provide expert technical advice to clients and project teams
  • Support and mentor junior and senior colleagues
  • Contribute to business development and client engagement activities
  • Maintain high professional standards while balancing commercial awareness

What You’ll Bring

  • Relevant degree in ecology or related subject
  • Proven experience at Senior Ecologist level (or equivalent)
  • Strong communication and client-facing skills
  • Excellent technical report writing experience
  • Full membership of CIEEM (Chartered status desirable)
  • Commercial acumen and ability to contribute to business growth
  • Full UK driving licence

Salary & Benefits

  • Salary: £45,000 – £55,000
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Annual profit share scheme
  • Flexible working between office, home, and site
  • Ongoing training, mentoring, and professional development
  • Supportive, values-driven culture with a collaborative team environment

Why Apply?

  • Work on an exciting and varied portfolio of projects
  • Join a supportive and experienced ecology team
  • Benefit from flexible working and employee-ownership profit sharing
  • Contribute to meaningful environmental outcomes while advancing your career

When applying to any role through Cobalt, your CV will never be shared with a client without your prior consent. Apply in confidence below or get in touch with me for a confidential discussion about the position via sgreeff@cobaltrecruitment.com or 07458161399.

Principal Ecologist employer: Cobalt Recruitment

Join a leading ecological consultancy that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a supportive and values-driven culture. As a Principal Ecologist, you will have the opportunity to lead diverse projects while benefiting from flexible working arrangements, ongoing professional development, and a profit-sharing scheme that rewards your contributions to meaningful environmental outcomes.
C

Contact Detail:

Cobalt Recruitment Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Ecologist

✨Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the ecology field, especially those who are already in senior roles. Attend industry conferences or workshops to meet potential colleagues and clients, which can help you gain insights into the company culture and expectations.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your leadership skills by discussing any mentoring or team-leading experiences you've had in previous roles. Highlight specific examples where you successfully guided a team through complex projects, as this will resonate well with the responsibilities of the Principal Ecologist position.

✨Tip Number 3

Familiarise yourself with the latest ecological assessment methodologies and regulations relevant to the role. Being able to discuss recent developments or case studies during interviews will demonstrate your expertise and commitment to staying current in the field.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss how you can contribute to business development and client engagement. Think about strategies you've used in the past to build client relationships and how you can apply those to help grow the company's portfolio.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Ecologist

Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs)
Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs)
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments
Technical Report Writing
Client Relationship Management
Team Leadership and Mentoring
Business Development Skills
Regulatory Knowledge
Commercial Awareness
Full Membership of CIEEM
Project Management
Strong Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability to Changing Environments

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience as a Senior Ecologist. Focus on your leadership skills, project delivery, and any specific ecological assessments you've worked on, such as EcIAs or HRAs.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for ecology and your ability to mentor others. Mention specific projects you've led and how they align with the company's goals and values.

Highlight Technical Skills: Emphasise your technical report writing experience and any relevant qualifications, such as full membership of CIEEM. This will demonstrate your expertise and commitment to professional standards.

Showcase Communication Skills: Since strong communication and client-facing skills are essential for this role, provide examples in your application of how you've successfully engaged with clients and collaborated with teams in previous positions.

How to prepare for a job interview at Cobalt Recruitment

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Principal Ecologist, you'll be expected to lead and mentor a team. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences and how you've successfully guided teams through complex projects.

✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise

Make sure to highlight your technical skills in ecological assessments and report writing. Prepare examples of past projects where you provided expert advice or contributed to significant outcomes.

✨Emphasise Client Engagement

Strong communication and client-facing skills are crucial for this role. Be ready to share instances where you've built relationships with clients or stakeholders and how that positively impacted project delivery.

✨Discuss Business Development Acumen

Since the role involves contributing to business growth, think about how you've previously identified opportunities for new projects or improved client engagement. Share your ideas on how to drive business development in the ecology sector.

Principal Ecologist
Cobalt Recruitment
Go Premium

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

C
  • Principal Ecologist

    Exeter
    Full-Time
    36000 - 66000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-08-31

  • C

    Cobalt Recruitment

Similar positions in other companies
UK’s top job board for Gen Z
discover-jobs-cta
Discover now
>