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- Tasks: Join our Strategic Ecology team to manage ecological assessments and develop innovative project methodologies.
- Company: LUC is a leader in nature recovery, working with diverse clients to create sustainable landscapes.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, employee ownership, and a supportive culture focused on growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on climate resilience while collaborating with passionate professionals in ecology.
- Qualifications: Strong understanding of UK ecology and experience in developing nature recovery strategies are essential.
- Other info: This role is based in Manchester but can be considered in any English office.
The predicted salary is between 32500 - 46000 £ per year.
LUC is actively contributing to nature recovery in the UK. As a consultant to a range of government, LPA, charitable Trusts and private clients, our Strategic Ecology team is at the centre of this important work, creating a bridge between our ecology, landscape and planning disciplines. Our clients understand the importance of considering ecological opportunities from the outset of their strategic landscape-scale or policy projects; hence, demand for our support has increased. We’re seeking to appoint a Senior or Principal Ecologist with a strategic mindset to further develop and support our committed team.
Based within, and supported by, our existing Strategic Ecology team, the successful candidate will have an established background in ecology, be highly collaborative with a positive outlook to work across the practice and bring their ecological knowledge to strategic projects. Our Strategic Ecology team frequently collaborates with our planning and landscape management colleagues on the delivery of truly integrated, landscape-scale assessments, strategies and supporting management plans for a range of public, private and third sector clients. Current examples include:
- Preparation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies
- Local Wildlife Site Reviews
- Nature Recovery and Biodiversity Action Plans
- Landscape Recovery Monitoring
- Green Infrastructure Studies
- Policy reviews including Protected Site Strategies and biodiversity more broadly
- Strategic BNG Studies
- Support to Green Finance Studies
Consultation and collaborative working with other technical disciplines form a common thread through all. Our work is varied and collectively the team holds a broad range of skills. If some of the ‘experience and qualifications’ listed below resonate with your skills and passion, we’d love to hear from you.
Reporting to our Strategic Ecology lead, the role will include:
- Management and delivery of ecological evidence-base assessments to achieve nature recovery within land use planning at a range of spatial scales.
- Developing innovative project methodologies founded in strong science in response to land planning and management challenges.
- Applying ecological knowledge to challenges for climate change resilience as well as wider ecosystem services.
- Management of projects – both field and office elements – to meet our highest quality standards.
- Contribute to project-specific consultation and engagement with technical stakeholders.
- Supporting growth for you and the team through new project opportunities and innovation.
- Mentoring of colleagues, including contribution to training initiatives.
The role includes the opportunity to share and participate actively in the management and ownership of the business through the Employee Ownership Trust, which places full ownership of the company with the employees. This role is strongly preferred to be met in Manchester but will be considered in any of our English offices. A full-time role is based on 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday). However, LUC has a strong track record in flexible working. We have been recognised for our working culture, so we are happy to discuss a range of flexible working options for this role, including part-time hours (minimum 30 hours per week) if desired.
Salary range: £32,500 – £46,000 FTE, depending on experience (excluding London Allowance).
About you: The role will allow you to join LUC as we continue to raise our game in addressing the delivery of nature recovery and climate change resilience through our exciting project work. The successful candidate will complement our existing enthusiastic and dedicated ecology team. You will share our commitment to high quality science and be motivated to help develop our staff and our business, as an equal partner. Applicants from a range of relevant backgrounds are welcome across public, private and third sectors. Relevant experience is necessary but we understand that this may be found working within teams developing nature or landscape recovery strategy and action plans, habitat management and biodiversity monitoring, Local Plan evidence, and so forth.
In this role you will expect to develop your career through actively contributing to LUC’s award-winning portfolio with diverse and challenging projects.
Experience and Qualifications:
- Strong understanding of the challenges facing nature recovery in the UK.
- Strong working knowledge of UK ecology (generalist or specialist).
- Working knowledge of relevant emerging policy and legislation (local / regional application included).
- Experience in the development and/or delivery of strategy and action plans for nature or landscape recovery (range of scales may apply).
- Experience in the design and/or delivery of habitat or broader land management plans (range of scales may apply).
- Experience in the application of biodiversity and/or environmental metrics – this includes strategic landscape scale application as well as site-specific metrics.
- Understanding of the application of green finance more broadly.
- Demonstrable knowledge of ecosystem services and/or natural capital (generalist or specialist).
- Familiarity with the use of strategic datasets.
- Experience of stakeholder engagement and collaborative problem-solving.
- Demonstrable work-winning and business development skills.
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. Please apply by uploading your CV and covering letter via the link above. LUC is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. We value the differences, needs and contributions a diverse workforce represents, and we strive to embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all our people-related activities.
Location: Manchester
Salary: £32,500 – £46,000 FTE, depending on experience (excluding London Allowance).
Strategic Ecologist employer: Landuse
Contact Detail:
Landuse Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic Ecologist
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the ecology and environmental sectors. Attend relevant conferences, workshops, or local meetups to connect with people who work at LUC or similar organisations. Building relationships can often lead to insider knowledge about job openings and company culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on current trends and policies related to nature recovery and climate change in the UK. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the field and the specific challenges LUC is addressing.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your collaborative experiences in previous roles. Since the position requires working across various disciplines, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders and contributed to team projects.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with LUC's recent projects and initiatives. Understanding their work will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews, showing that you're not just interested in the role but also in contributing to their ongoing efforts in nature recovery.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Ecologist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in ecology, landscape recovery, and project management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of the challenges facing nature recovery in the UK.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for ecology and nature recovery. Mention how your skills align with the role and the company's mission. Be sure to include any experience with stakeholder engagement and collaborative problem-solving.
Showcase Relevant Qualifications: Clearly outline your qualifications related to UK ecology, biodiversity metrics, and environmental policies. If you have experience in developing strategy and action plans, make it prominent in your application.
Highlight Collaborative Experience: Since the role involves working across various disciplines, emphasise any past experiences where you collaborated with other teams or stakeholders. This will show your ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
How to prepare for a job interview at Landuse
✨Show Your Passion for Ecology
Make sure to express your genuine interest in ecology and nature recovery during the interview. Share specific examples of projects or experiences that highlight your commitment to ecological issues, as this will resonate well with the interviewers at LUC.
✨Demonstrate Collaborative Skills
Since the role involves working closely with various stakeholders, be prepared to discuss your experience in collaborative projects. Highlight instances where you successfully engaged with different teams or clients to achieve common goals, showcasing your ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Current Policies
Research the latest policies and legislation related to nature recovery and climate change in the UK. Being knowledgeable about these topics will not only impress your interviewers but also demonstrate your readiness to contribute effectively to their strategic projects.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Prepare to discuss how you would approach specific challenges related to ecological assessments or project management, illustrating your strategic mindset and innovative thinking.
