Head Of Biodiversity Ecology Net Gain (BNG) in Manchester

Hybrid/flexible location — we’ll consider candidates anywhere in the UK.

If spreadsheets, habitats and planning policy all coexist peacefully in your brain… we should definitely talk.

Biodiversity Net Gain isn’t the polite paragraph at the back of the report anymore — it’s centre stage. We’re looking for a BNG leader who can shape strategy, guide clients, mentor teams, and still enjoy a spirited discussion about habitat condition scores.

You’ll know the statutory biodiversity metric inside out. You’ll understand how planning really works. And you’ll be able to translate complex ecological requirements into solutions that are commercially sound, practically deliverable and genuinely good for nature.

You’ll be the go-to expert. The calm head in the meeting. The one who knows when 10% means… at least 10%.

What You’ll Lead (and Occasionally Nerd Out Over)

• Leading the planning and delivery of BNG strategies across a varied project portfolio.
• Acting as technical authority for BNG — ensuring compliance, quality and commercial robustness.
• Overseeing biodiversity assessments, modelling and metric calculations (yes, that metric).
• Providing clear, solutions-focused advice to clients, LPAs and stakeholders — no jargon fog.
• Reviewing and quality-assuring BNG and ecological outputs across the team.
• Identifying growth opportunities, supporting bids and helping shape future services.
• Building partnerships with landowners, habitat banks and delivery partners (nature doesn’t deliver itself).
• Line managing, mentoring and developing ecology and BNG colleagues.
• Making balanced decisions that keep projects moving and people supported.
• Promoting high standards of health, safety and wellbeing.
• Communicating confidently with everyone from planners to policy-makers.

You’ll Probably Love This Role If…

• You enjoy leading — without hovering.
• You thrive where ecology, planning and commercial reality intersect.
• You can zoom out to strategy and zoom in to detail.
• You believe collaboration beats confrontation.
• You take your work seriously (but not yourself).

What You’ll Bring

• A degree in ecology, environmental science or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Strong understanding of BNG legislation, policy and real-world planning application.
• Proven experience delivering BNG using the statutory biodiversity metric.
• Solid knowledge of ecological legislation and planning policy.
• Experience preparing and reviewing ecological and BNG technical reports.
• The ability to manage multiple projects without dropping the important balls.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A track record of building effective cross-team and external relationships.

Professional Extras (The Helpful Badges)

• Full CIEEM membership (or working towards).
• CEcol and/or CEnv (advantageous).
• Species survey/mitigation licences and/or postgraduate qualifications (also advantageous).
• Full UK manual driving licence.

Why This Role Is Different (Without Saying “Better”)

You’ll be trusted to lead. Encouraged to innovate. Supported to build something meaningful.

Here, BNG isn’t an afterthought. Ecology has a genuine seat at the table. Good ideas are welcomed — wherever they come from.

You’ll work with people who care about quality, value collaboration and believe the best outcomes come from doing things properly and pragmatically.

If you want to shape how Biodiversity Net Gain is delivered — not just respond to it — we’d love to hear from you.

Because nature deserves more than box-ticking. And so do you.