Principal Ecological Consultant - South East in Surrey

Principal Ecological Consultant - South East in Surrey

Surrey Full-Time 44000 - 44000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Occupop

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead ecological projects, manage teams, and deliver high-quality reports for clients.
  • Company: Join a fast-growing environmental consultancy focused on nature and business.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, healthcare plans, and performance rewards.
  • Other info: Remote work available with opportunities for professional growth and social events.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in ecology while enjoying flexible working options.
  • Qualifications: Experienced in ecology with strong project management and technical skills.

The predicted salary is between 44000 - 44000 £ per year.

Our core purpose is to enable nature and business to thrive together. We aim to be the most innovative and fast‑growing environmental consultancy in the UK. We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Ecologist to join our team enhancing our offering to clients and building on our success. This role can be based remotely in the South East with an expectation for occasional travel to our Guildford office.

In this role you will be instrumental in driving your team's financial success by preparing compelling tenders, efficiently managing projects, and fostering strong relationships with clients and potential clients. An integral part of your role will also be to provide technical support, coaching and leadership to the Guildford team. Your contributions will also support the company's vision and values by delivering high‑quality work, completing tasks within specified timelines, and consistently upholding the company's standards of excellence.

Suitable candidates will have strong commercial project management skills, and will also be technically competent, with an in-depth knowledge of ecology, legislation, and survey techniques. Outputs are expected to be high quality, on time and within budget. As all consultancy work, you will need to be a professional with the ability to communicate effectively and to maintain positive client relationships. This is a permanent position, with a working split between our office, home and on‑site work. We'll consider candidates on either full‑time or part‑time/flexible working patterns.

Key Responsibilities
  • Line management responsibility, overseeing and guiding a small team of Senior Ecological Consultants, Ecological Consultants and Assistant Ecologists.
  • Technical coaching, mentoring and support to those around you.
  • Lead and manage large, complex projects, ensuring seamless execution from start to finish.
  • Handle technically challenging tasks, including EPSL applications, EcIA chapters, and Habitats Regulations Assessments.
  • Deliver high‑quality reports and outputs for clients, consistently meeting or exceeding project deadlines and budget constraints.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with clients, ensuring continued trust and satisfaction.
  • Document relevant professional experience and leverage it to advance toward obtaining protected species licences.
  • Take ownership for the quality of survey work by providing leadership and direction to the field team.
  • Maintain active membership with CIEEM.
Qualifications
  • Experienced Principal Ecological Consultant with an ecological or related subject degree.
  • Technically competent, with an in-depth knowledge of ecology, legislation and survey techniques with advanced field skills in one or more specialist areas as well as holding protected species licences.
  • Hold a clean, valid UK driving licence and own car or have access to a car which will be insured for business use.
  • We would be especially interested in hearing from applicants with ornithological skills, botany skills and/or the ability to act as Named Ecologist on bat mitigation licences; however, none of these are essential.
  • All applicants must be based in the UK with the right to work in the UK.
Salary

From £44,000 per annum, dependent on skillset.

Benefits
  • 25 days annual leave
  • Healthcare cash plan
  • Enhanced stakeholder pension scheme
  • Life insurance
  • Discounted gym membership
  • Paid professional memberships
  • Clothing allowance
  • Outstanding performance rewards
  • Long service awards
  • Free parking
  • Regular local and company social events

Principal Ecological Consultant - South East in Surrey employer: Occupop

At Bitrecruit, we pride ourselves on being a leading environmental consultancy that champions the synergy between nature and business. Our Guildford-based team enjoys a flexible work culture that promotes both professional growth and personal well-being, with benefits such as a healthcare cash plan, enhanced pension schemes, and opportunities for continuous learning. Join us to make a meaningful impact in ecology while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions and fosters strong client relationships.

Occupop

Contact Details:

Occupop Recruitment Team

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Ecological Consultant - South East in Surrey

Ecology
Project Management
Client Relationship Management
Technical Coaching
Survey Techniques
Legislation Knowledge
Report Writing