Senior Project Ecologist in Brighton

You will be joining an established, independent environmental consultancy with around 80–90 staff across five UK offices. Despite having multiple disciplines in-house—including heritage, landscape, masterplanning and urban design—the business maintains a genuinely small‐team culture, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, independence and high‐quality ecological input.

The coastal South‐East office is home to a friendly team of 10–12 ecologists, supported by expertise across the wider business. Known locally for delivering clear, pragmatic, proportionate advice, the team works on a diverse mix of planning‐led projects with long‐standing clients throughout Sussex, Surrey, Kent and parts of London. Several senior staff have been with the business for over a decade, contributing to strong continuity, supportive mentoring and genuine career progression opportunities.

As a Senior or Principal Ecologist, you will take a lead role in delivering, coordinating and shaping ecological work across a broad project portfolio. You will influence project strategy, mentor junior colleagues, and play a key part in maintaining the team's strong technical reputation.

• Technical & Project Leadership: Leading and overseeing ecological inputs across all project stages, providing strategic and proportionate direction. Designing and overseeing protected species survey programmes, ensuring delivery quality and legislative compliance.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Acting as a key technical contact for clients, planning officers, and design teams. Advising on ecological risks, opportunities and solutions at concept, design and planning stages.
• Team Leadership & Mentoring: Line managing or mentoring junior and consultant‐level ecologists. Contributing to internal training, quality assurance and knowledge sharing. Helping shape and strengthen team capability as the ecology function continues to grow.

You will work across a varied mix of schemes, including:

• Residential housing from 30–100 units to major 1,000–2,000 unit urban extensions
• Strategic land promotion projects
• Local authority work, including Brighton & Hove reserve sites
• Commercial developments
• Heritage‐led projects (in collaboration with teams in other offices)
• Habitat banking, biodiversity enhancement & long‐term monitoring
• Limited infrastructure work (some pipeline work; minimal road/rail, no HS2)

You'll also contribute to the rollout of upgraded GIS workflows and digital data collection, supported by a specialist GIS consultant. Travel: regional fieldwork across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and parts of London (generally within ~2 hours).

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Essential Degree in ecology/biology (1st or 2:1 preferred).
• Proficient in designing, leading and quality‐checking ecological surveys and reports.
• Strong understanding of wildlife legislation, planning policy and mitigation licensing.
• Experience preparing or contributing significantly to EcIAs, BNG assessments and planning‐level ecological deliverables.
• Excellent project management/coordination and client liaison skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects.
• Competence with MS Office and QGIS (training provided to enhance existing skills).
• Full UK driving licence and own vehicle.
• Protected species survey licences (e.g., Experience with strategic planning, land promotion or complex multi‐phase developments).

Competitive Salary (Senior / Principal): 35,000–55,000 DOE

Permanent, full‐time role (37.5 hrs/week; 10am–4pm core hours) Hybrid working and flexibility Overtime paid at time + one‐third for out‐of‐hours survey work Annual profit‐related and performance bonuses 25 days' holiday, rising to 30 days with long service (includes Christmas shutdown allocation) Pension scheme with increased employer contributions over time Excellent CPD, including extensive internal workshops and generous training budgets Paid CIEEM membership and EPS licence fees Mobile phone and fieldwork clothing allowance Volunteering days and family‐friendly policies Employee Assistance Programme and in‐house mental health first‐aiders Annual company conference plus a dedicated ecology team conference Annual UK/European weekend away Real progression potential, with structured routes into Associate, Associate Director and beyond.

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.