Associate Director in London

Join to apply for the Associate Director role at RSK Biocensus. Are you looking to take the next step in your career and ready for an exciting new challenge? Do you want to be part of a team supporting innovative and strategic solutions across ecological restoration and nature recovery? If so, this could be the perfect opportunity.

About RSK Wilding: Established in early 2020, we are a multidisciplinary team supporting innovative and strategic solutions across ecological restoration and nature recovery. We bring together an unrivalled breadth of expertise in biodiversity, restoration, sustainable land management and environmental law.

We are part of the RSK Biocensus business, and we put our expertise to use as part of multi‐disciplinary teams within RSK Group to help a range of clients—large‐scale developers, public authorities, utilities, and passionate landowners—to offset carbon emissions and achieve biodiversity net gain (and other natural capital benefits) through ecological restoration and rewilding across the UK. Our aim is to make a real difference with action on the nature and climate crisis and to leave a better legacy for future generations.

The Role: As our Associate Director at RSK Wilding, part of the wider RSK Group, you will play a key and responsible role within RSK Biocensus, RSK Wilding and RSK Nature Repair: winning work, providing leadership, managing staff, giving technical advice and training, and leading by example. You will also have the opportunity to be part of the RSK Biocensus Senior Management Team and will be expected to contribute positively and collaboratively to the running of the business.

Main Responsibilities:

• Managing major projects, including financial objectives, resource allocation, managing sub‐contractors, risk and quality assurance, ensuring timely delivery and effective communication.
• Delivering major tenders, working with other RSK Biocensus, RSK Nature Repair, RSK Wilding and Nature Positive staff and RSK departments and UK Sales Directors to create winning proposals.
• Understanding the RSK Biocensus, RSK Wilding and/or RSK Nature Repair offerings in detail, carrying out biodiversity assessment, writing BNG proposals and reports, and working closely with developers, landowners and our own habitat creation teams to deliver biodiversity offsets.
• Producing, or overseeing the production of, a wide range of technical reports, directing their completion and reviewing, as necessary, to meet the required standards.
• Assessing the ecological impacts of developments or changes in land management and developing / designing mitigation and monitoring proposals for large and complex projects.
• Overseeing complex aspects of site work and practical elements of habitat management or creation.
• Collaborating with RSK Biocensus, RSK Nature Repair, RSK Wilding and Nature Positive colleagues and other RSK Business Units for the benefit of the company and building strong relationships with senior colleagues.

Key Experience & Qualifications:

• Ideally you will hold at least a first degree in Ecology or a related subject and have at least ten years' specific relevant experience.
• You will also have a clear understanding of major or complex projects as well as providing consultancy support in a wide range of circumstances.
• A full membership of CIEEM is also expected.
• Rewilding, ecological restoration and nature‐based solutions.
• Design and delivery of restoration schemes across a range of scales.
• Specification, contract management and site leadership for delivery of restoration projects.
• Building relationships, bidding, tendering, and management of significant clients.
• Knowledge of current and emerging standards of practice.
• Species‐specific experience and understanding, including reintroductions, mitigation and licensing.
• Previous experience of botanical survey across a range of environments, highly competent in NVC and UK Habitat Classification and ideally with FISC level 5 or 6 would be desirable.
• You will also require a full UK driving licence and use of your own vehicle for this role.

Personal Attributes:

• You will be self‐motivated and proactive, able to manage projects within a fast‐paced environment.
• You will undertake all work with an appropriate and high level of self‐care while communicating effectively with stakeholders across the organisation.
• You will also be comfortable and confident when communicating with clients and coordinating responses to their requests for services.
• Where appropriate, you will be able to mentor, coach and develop members of staff, direct reports and specific teams, potentially supporting organisational competencies and training.

Salary & Company Benefits: Along with a competitive salary of £56,000+ depending on experience, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits including:

• Company Life assurance.
• A flexible benefits programme, including the option to buy additional holidays and private health care.
• Regular training and career development (CPD).
• Contributed pension scheme.
• Discounted gym memberships.

Closing Information: The closing date for this role will be Sunday 4th January 2026, with interviews taking place shortly thereafter. Apply today or contact us for any further queries regarding the role. RSK is an Inclusive Employer.

About Us: Biocensus offers leading consultancy and contracting services in the ecological sector. Our interdisciplinary teams have operated on and contributed to dozens of specialised and multimillion‐pound projects across the UK. Our refined service offering oversees a complete range of ecological services, including advising on purchasing land, undertaking surveys and environmental impact assessments, and post‐consent licensing and monitoring.

As a market‐leading ecological consultancy, we rely on our expert and multi‐disciplinary teams of more than 150 in‐house staff, supported by a nationwide network of more than 700 quality‐assured consultant ecologists. We have the scale and capabilities to progress large‐scale projects and the range of expert skills for the most complex or sensitive programmes. We work with our clients to make their developments suitable for first‐hand users and the surrounding wildlife. RSK Biocensus teams identify environmental risks and seek opportunities to enhance developments, ensuring that we provide solutions rather than merely highlight problems.

RSK Biocensus is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.

We operate as a group of businesses that work together seamlessly, aiming for growth through diversification. Our strategy helps us build a strong and resilient business capable of weathering external challenges while providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company.

By providing workplace adjustments, we make it easier for people to explore and pursue our career opportunities confidently, recognising that flexibility is key to fostering a dynamic and thriving workplace. Many of our office‐based positions benefit from flexible working arrangements, allowing our team members to achieve a balance between professional and personal commitments.

We actively encourage applications from candidates of all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, neurotypes, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations and those with disabilities. If you're passionate about making a difference, join us as we work together to build a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for all.