Principal Ecologist (Regional Deputy Team Lead - Reading)

Mott MacDonald are leading the way in Nature Services and we are looking for people to join our Ecology Team and to play their part in integrating nature into all developments so that together with our clients we can build a better future. We pride ourselves on setting and maintaining high standards and are at the forefront of providing ecological advice.

Our team has written guidance and delivered training on BNG and contributed to CIEEM's raising standards documents. We have developed innovative tools to more robustly and efficiently collect and manage ecological data to enable our team to focus on really making a difference. We have provided detailed biodiversity advice to improve NHS hospitals for people and the planet, we are delivering Nature-based solutions for water treatment and flood management and we have overseen the production of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

The team in Reading has 4 members but we are looking to increase the numbers in this office. The team is currently joint with the London / Croydon team (7 members), and you would be the Deputy Team Lead for Croydon and Reading Ecology Team. We also work very closely with the rest of the Ecology Team. Across the team we have a wide range of skills and licences.

Our Reading Office is well situated close to Reading train station and has an active sports and social club offering a wide range of subsidised activities. The team has a diverse range of projects from flood defence schemes, BNG strategies, BNG implementation and specialist species surveys. The Reading/Croydon team are particularly working in the transport sector and for water companies as well as providing support to Environment Agency schemes. We are also involved with landscape scale planning to deliver nature recovery for various clients.

Joining our team at Principal Ecologist level you will likely spend the majority of your time office-based but may still get involved in some site work, especially in your area of technical expertise. As the deputy to the Regional Lead, you will have responsibility for staff wellbeing, mentoring, and career development for the Croydon and Reading Ecology Team and will line manage some of the team members. You will work with the Regional Lead, Area Leader and UK Ecology Team Leader to manage utilisation, the appointment of people for specific roles, training and recruitment needs.

You will hold regular operational team briefings/meetings for effective team management and communications. The projects you will be working on can span all stages of a project's life cycle, from design conception to implementation; giving opportunities to positively influence scheme design, enhancements and promote best practice. Although you will be a member of the Reading ecology team, you will also be connected to a much larger team of ecologists. There are excellent opportunities to progress your career through promotion, as well as develop a key role within our ecology team.

Working arrangement and inclusion

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Benefits

• Health and wellbeing: Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues. Health cash plan to support you with everyday health costs and treatments. Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues. A variety of wellbeing support through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family. Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.
• Financial wellbeing: We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%. Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary. Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury. Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing. As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Additional role-related items

• The role will suit a dynamic, proactive team-player who wants to work in a growth area of the business and help support the delivery of ecology services in a fast-moving, client-focused, commercial environment.
• A degree in Ecology (or a directly related subject). An additional higher degree would be an advantage.
• Over seven years' experience in Ecological Consultancy (or equivalent with transferable skills).
• A Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or equivalent.
• Must be a Chartered Environmentalist, Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Biologist (or able to achieve this within 6 months).
• Ability to communicate effectively to multi-disciplinary teams, clients and regulators.
• Proficiency in report writing skills and a track record in acting as a checker/reviewer for ecological deliverables.
• Technical specialism e.g. has held protected species mitigation licences or has advanced botanical skills etc.

Desirable

• Experience of People Management.
• Proven Project Management skills.
• Experience of preparing costs and text for bids.
• Willingness to travel throughout the UK.
• Level 1 and 2 Bat Licence.

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance - we succeed when they do.