Principal Ecologist in Leeds

Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey.

This role is responsible for leading and coordinating ecology, biodiversity and statutory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) services across projects. You’ll act as the technical authority, ensuring delivery is compliant and aligned with planning, legal and client requirements.

• Overall accountability for ecology and biodiversity data across projects, including statutory biodiversity metrics, habitat condition assessments and BNG performance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Technical assurance of all ecology outputs, including QA of PEAs, UKHab mapping, BNG metrics, EcIAs, HMMPs, Biodiversity Gain Plans and planning submissions.
• Setting service excellence standards to ensure outputs are consistent, defensible and aligned with industry guidance (CIEEM, DEFRA, Natural England).
• Developing delivery strategies and supporting fee proposals, including defining scope and challenging inefficiencies, cost risks or over‑scoped work.
• Driving digital innovation, including GIS‑enabled tools for ecological screening, BNG assessments and data integration.
• Integrating wider nature‑based metrics (BNG, EBN, UGF and ecosystem services) to inform design, reporting and sustainability outcomes.

• Managing and mentoring ecology team members, including technical development in statutory metric application, condition assessment and planning compliance.
• Working closely with landscape, sustainability and design teams to embed ecology early and influence layout, red line boundaries, landscape strategy and cost planning.
• Maintaining strong links across internal nature and sustainability teams to ensure consistency and sharing of best practice.

• Ensuring appropriate ecology resourcing and technical capability is in place across all project stages.
• Acting as the escalation point for ecology and BNG risks, identifying gaps between approved strategies and actual delivery.
• Advising on BNG strategy, planning risk, programme impacts and cost implications.
• Managing external consultants, including reviewing proposals, onboarding and ensuring proportionate, evidence‑led delivery.
• Undertaking and overseeing site visits, walkovers and construction‑stage inspections to verify habitat baselines, monitor delivery and provide technical assurance.
• Supporting construction‑stage ecology delivery (e.g. ECoW advisory input, compliance with planning conditions and ecological method statements).
• Verifying that biodiversity measures (BNG, landscape strategies, HMMPs) are delivered on site in line with approved designs and condition requirements.
• Supporting KPI reporting and contributing to digital reporting tools (e.g. Power BI).
• Developing and delivering training for internal teams and PMs to improve commissioning and understanding of ecology and BNG.
• Providing horizon scanning on policy, legislation and market trends (e.g. BNG, NSIPs, exemptions).
• Ensuring legal compliance of BNG delivery mechanisms, including S106 agreements, conservation covenants and third‑party land arrangements.
• Providing commercial and programme assurance by identifying cost risks and driving value through proportionate delivery.

• Strong technical expertise in ecology and biodiversity, including the statutory biodiversity metric, habitat condition assessment and planning policy.
• A solid understanding of planning and BNG legislation and how this influences design and delivery.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills across multidisciplinary teams.
• Commercial awareness, including the ability to manage scope, challenge costs and deliver value.
• Membership of CIEEM (or working towards) with a commitment to CPD.

Our values: Safety first - Going home safe and well; Client focus - Deliver on our promise; Integrity - Always do the right thing; Create opportunity - For our people to excel. Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation. We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.