Senior/Principal Ecologist in Henfield

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.

The company has grown organically over more than 20 years and is committed to remaining independent. 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. Your responsibilities will include:

• Technical & Project Leadership: Leading and overseeing ecological inputs across all project stages, providing strategic and proportionate direction. Preparing, reviewing and signing off PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs, BNG assessments, habitat assessments and mitigation strategies. Designing and overseeing protected species survey programmes, ensuring delivery quality and legislative compliance. Leading or supporting EPS licence applications and associated mitigation.
• 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. Supporting proposals, fee quotes and wider business development activity.
• 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).
• Strong consultancy experience at a high Consultant, Senior or Principal level.
• 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.
• Confident communicator able to provide clear, proportionate advice to clients and stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to oversee multiple projects.
• Experience mentoring or managing junior team members.
• Competence with MS Office and QGIS (training provided to enhance existing skills).
• Full UK driving licence and own vehicle.
• Full CIEEM membership or working towards.

Desirable

• Protected species survey licences (e.g., bats, dormouse).
• EPS licensing experience (leading or supporting).
• Strong specialism (e.g., ornithology or botany) or wide generalist skills.
• River Condition Assessor accreditation (or interest in gaining it).
• Experience with strategic planning, land promotion or complex multi‑phase developments.

What You’ll Get in Return

You’ll become part of a supportive, sociable and well‑respected consultancy with a genuine commitment to staff wellbeing and development. In return, you can expect:

• 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. If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.