Strategic Ecologist in Manchester

This role can be based from Bristol, Cardiff, London, or Manchester office. LUC is actively contributing to nature recovery in the UK and it’s never felt so vital. 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 Consultant 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 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. 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 of our work include:

• The preparation of Local Wildlife Site Reviews
• Nature Recovery and Biodiversity Action Plans
• Review and analysis of Local Nature Recovery Strategies and the Nature Restoration Fund
• Review and development of nature-related policies
• Landscape Recovery monitoring
• Green Infrastructure studies
• Strategic BNG studies
• Support to broader nature market studies

Consultation and collaborative working with other technical disciplines form a common thread through all.

The role will include:

• Helping to deliver ecological evidence‑based assessments across a range of landscape types and spatial scales.
• Assessment of written and spatial data to meet clear research aims.
• Application of ecological knowledge around sites, habitats and species to address challenges in response to land planning and management.
• Application of ecological knowledge to challenges for climate change resilience.
• Proactive contribution to project delivery – both field and office elements – to meet our high quality standards.
• Contribution to project‑specific consultation and engagement with client teams and technical stakeholders.
• Taking a proactive approach to personal and shared team CPD, including staying abreast of live issues and developments within the subject of nature recovery.

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. The role is based in LUC’s offices in Bristol, Cardiff, London or Manchester. We work in a hybrid model with people being in the office a minimum of two days per week. There will also be travel required to visit sites, client offices and other office locations.

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, and we have been recognised for our flexible 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: £28,000 - £33,500 FTE (Plus London allowance of £4,000 if applicable)

Experience and qualifications:

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 hands‑on 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.

Knowledge and experience of UK habitats and species, gained through further/higher education or practical experience:

• A working understanding of the principal pieces of legislation and national policy regarding nature conservation and recovery, such as LNRS and BNG.
• An understanding of the planning system.
• Experience of report writing, including scientific assessment of habitats or species, site‑based or landscape‑scale following a recognised best practice approach.
• Experience in the interpretation of spatial data, which may include terrestrial or aquatic habitats.
• An understanding of ecological networks, which may include terrestrial or aquatic habitats.
• Experience in the delivery of nature recovery.
• Ecological field survey and/or habitat management experience.
• Experience in the assessment and/or delivery of BNG.
• An understanding of the primary components in legislation and policy regarding climate change resilience.
• GIS or other spatial mapping skill.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK. 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.