Biodiversity Net Gain Specialist (UK wide) in Leeds

Market Environmental

At Jacobs, we\'re challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world\'s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We are seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Biodiversity Net Gain Specialist to lead the development and delivery of BNG strategies across our projects. This is a pivotal role in shaping our environmental impact, ensuring compliance with emerging legislation, and driving nature-positive outcomes.

We’re hiring nationwide, with opportunities available in our offices across Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Peterborough and Reading. Wherever you’re based, you’ll find a welcoming team and exciting projects waiting for you.

At Jacobs, we don’t just offer jobs—we build careers. You’ll be joining a respected and ambitious company with a strong reputation for excellence and innovation. Our commitment to your growth is backed by:

Global Career Framework – chart your path with clarity and purpose

Chartership Academy Programme – support to achieve professional accreditation

Employee Networks & Communities of Practice – connect with over 200 ecologists in the UK & Ireland, and 600+ globally

A culture of collaboration and sustainability – work on projects that matter

Positions are available on a permanent full-time and part-time, job share or flexible basis.

The role will include:

Using your experience to lead on applying a biodiversity net gain approach to projects, including the use of biodiversity metrics and the design and delivery of net gain solutions

Working in multidisciplinary teams – quickly building rapport and trust to ensure that terrestrial ecology requirements are recognised, acknowledged and designed into projects to maximise outcomes for biodiversity and ecosystem services

Supporting and engaging with our Geospatial team to deliver innovative digital approaches to assessment

Ensuring quality standards by delivering assessments / reports through quality assurance protocols

Contributing to our broader Nature Positive offering, including natural capital and environmental net gain approaches

Leveraging your experience of biodiversity net gain to support other ecology deliverables such as Ecological Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulation Appraisals

Developing and sharing skills that build team and individual capability. This will include engagement with our global communities of practice, externally facing communications (conferences, presentations, client meetings) and training events

Here\'s what you\'ll need

Detailed working knowledge of the biodiversity net gain approach, including the Defra Statutory Biodiversity Metric, and the underpinning policy and legislative drivers

Working knowledge of designing for biodiversity net gain including knowledge and experience of habitat restoration, enhancement and creation techniques

Technical reporting skills in cognisance of national legislation and guidance including experience of preparing habitat management and monitoring plans

Effective client, stakeholder and regulator engagement

Leadership skills in ecological input to projects

Understanding of project consenting and construction

Chartered membership of a professional body (or experience to obtain chartership)

Our Culture

Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and diversity. We put people at the heart of our business and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

We aim to embed inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected, and if we are diverse, we’re more creative. We accept people for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, mental health, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. This is reflected in our wide range of Global Employee Networks centred on inclusion and diversity – ACE, Careers, Enlace, Harambee, OneWorld, Prism, Women and Vetnet.

If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please .

Your application experience is important to us and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. We welcome feedback on our recruitment process and if you need more from us before deciding to join Jacobs then

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Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.
With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at .
We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our .
Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles.
As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via .