Head of Operations - Restoration Ecology

Habitat Assessment & Restoration Ltd (HAR) is a young and fast-growing ecological consultancy based in Edinburgh: https://www.habitat-restoration.com/

HAR is dedicated to protecting seabirds and restoring their habitats throughout the British Isles and beyond. With a highly skilled and experienced team, we have taken on the challenge of addressing some of the most significant problems faced by seabirds, including the harmful impact of invasive predatory species. By implementing innovative, practical projects to restore seabird habitats in partnership with key stakeholders, HAR aims to create a positive future where seabird populations and their marine and terrestrial ecosystems thrive.

HAR’s projects are landscape-scale, long-term, and they span the length and breadth of the UK, its Crown Dependencies and Ireland. Our work aims to mitigate environmental risks, empower local communities, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in habitat restoration. Our clients and key stakeholders include renewable energy companies, environmental consultants, national and local governments, regulatory and non-governmental agencies, conservation organisations, and local communities.

Role Description:

We are seeking a Head of Operations – Restoration Ecology to join the HAR team, ideally based in Scotland, but other locations will also be considered. This is a senior member of the leadership team reporting to HAR\’s Managing Director.

As the Head of Operations, you will be responsible for planning, delivering, and ensuring the successful completion of complex island restoration projects across our diverse client base.

You will play a key role in coaching and leading project teams, ensuring they are engaged in challenging work that supports their professional development. In addition to delivering projects on time, within budget, and meeting QHSE targets, you will be responsible for managing key client relationships to ensure delivery exceeds client expectations, and you will lead your colleagues by example.

You’ll be expected to be technically excellent, with a deep understanding of the UK ecology sector, and to have led practical ecological/ ornithological surveys, as well as preferably the compensation aspects of large-scale projects.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Lead and manage day-to-day operations to ensure Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality Assurance standards are met.
• Direct projects (particularly budgets and cashflow), attend key client and wider stakeholder meetings.
• Report on the progress of projects, against KPIs, identifying opportunities to develop, innovate and improve.
• Oversee multiple programmes of work to ensure resources are appropriately scheduled and allocated across all projects.
• Provide advice on ecological issues within one\’s own area of expertise, but also on a broad range of technical, strategic and regulatory requirements.
• Support high-quality business development tenders and proposals.
• Undertake performance management of assigned team members and provide technical and general training at staff and project meetings.
• Identify improvement opportunities, scope research projects and contribute to the development of innovative survey and habitat restoration practices.

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Advanced degree in Ecology and Conservation, Environmental Science, Marine Biology or related field.
• Membership of an appropriate professional institution and working towards or obtaining Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Environmentalist status
• Experience of the DCO process for major infrastructure projects, the Habitat Regulations Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain.
• Operational and business acumen, demonstrated through previous experience, e.g. from project delivery, client account/framework management, operations, commercial, finance and P&L management.
• Team player who demonstrates a record of championing HAR’s values and leadership behaviours and building relationships as a trusted business partner.
• Critical thinker who can solve complex problems and successfully identify and deliver initiatives to drive continuous improvement.
• Experience in leading, mentoring and line management of project teams.
• Experience in developing new business and supporting bid and tender preparation.
• Experience in writing and reviewing/verifying technical reports.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to build effective working relationships both internally and externally at all levels with key customers, external stakeholders, local communities, regulatory agencies, non-governmental organisations, and other wildlife conservation organisations.
• Willingness to travel and support fieldwork in the UK, the Channel Islands and internationally.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion:

We recognise the value of a workforce in which people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to introduce fresh ideas and contribute to the business goals.

We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive environment, with inclusive employment policies that include progressive and flexible working arrangements.

Join us:

At HAR, we are passionate about the environment, our people, their safety, well-being, and development. If you share our values, believe in sustainability and are motivated by making a real difference, HAR is the right place for you.

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Next steps:

If you would like to apply for this role, please email us with some basic information about yourself and your interests, along with a copy of your CV. We will review all applications promptly.

For applications and/or to arrange an informal conversation to discuss the role before applying, please email: ian.cain@habitat-restoration.com.

The closing date for applications is November 10th, 2025.