Principal Consultant – Freshwater Fisheries in Ashford

Are you an experienced fisheries professional ready to step into a role where you can shape projects, support clients and develop others? Do you enjoy working in partnership with clients to help them navigate complex environmental challenges? We’re looking for a Principal Consultant – Freshwater Fisheries to join APEM’s nationwide team within our Water Management Division. This is a standout opportunity to take a leading role in a team delivering some of the most interesting and varied fisheries work across the UK.

Our work with water companies, regulators and infrastructure clients often goes beyond traditional consultancy; we work closely with them to explore challenges, share insight and guide the best path forward. That means you won’t just be delivering surveys or reports. You’ll be helping clients understand their options, providing clear, evidence-led advice and supporting them to make confident, informed decisions. Alongside this, you’ll play a key role in leading and developing others. Our Senior Consultants and Scientists are a talented and growing group, and this role is central to providing the mentoring, guidance and support that helps them thrive — whether that’s technical development, project delivery or building confidence in client-facing work. This is a role where you can make a genuine impact; on projects, on people and on the direction of the team.

What you’ll be doing:

• Leading a diverse portfolio of freshwater fisheries and multidisciplinary projects
• Setting technical direction across fisheries surveys, assessments and mitigation design
• Working closely with clients to understand challenges and provide clear, practical advice
• Managing complex projects from early-stage opportunities through to delivery
• Leading and contributing to tenders, including defining scope and setting budgets
• Building and strengthening long‑term client relationships
• Mentoring, supporting and line managing Senior Consultants and Scientists
• Reviewing technical outputs and ensuring high standards across the team
• Identifying opportunities for growth and supporting the expansion of APEM’s fisheries services
• Collaborating across disciplines to deliver integrated environmental solutions

What we’re looking for:

• Strong experience in freshwater fisheries ecology and ecological assessment, ideally within consultancy
• Extensive experience designing and delivering fisheries surveys
• Deep knowledge of aquatic ecology and relevant UK legislation (e.g. WFD, EIA, HRA)
• Proven ability to lead complex projects and manage competing priorities
• Strong client‑facing experience and the ability to provide clear, confident advice
• Experience mentoring, supporting or managing others
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills

It’s a bonus if you have:

• Chartered status or working towards professional accreditation
• Strong experience leading tenders and winning work
• Experience working on large, multidisciplinary or high‑profile projects

We are focused on creating a diverse and inclusive team. If you can’t tick every box on our job description, then we are still keen to hear from you and are open to supporting your development. That may be working part time or supporting you to gain experience in a specific area – we are a growing company and are able to adapt roles to reflect individual skills. If you think you have what it takes to join our fast‑growing business, then please apply immediately on our website. All we need is some basic information and your CV; we will review all applications quickly and will respond to all applicants.

At APEM, we combine technical excellence with flexibility and wellbeing. Our Freshwater Fisheries team works across a wide range of projects – from detailed survey and monitoring programmes to large‑scale infrastructure and water resource developments. As part of the APEM Group, we work collaboratively across freshwater, marine and terrestrial disciplines, giving our people the opportunity to influence meaningful environmental outcomes while developing their careers in a supportive and forward‑thinking environment.