Principal Ecological Consultant in Manchester

Play a leading role in protecting British wildlife with ADAS. We’re looking for a Principal Ecological Consultant to join our growing ecology team, based in Manchester. As a Principal Ecological Consultant at ADAS, you will take on a regional leadership role, overseeing the delivery of high-quality ecological services across a diverse portfolio of infrastructure and development projects. Working with utility companies and developers, you will provide trusted, strategic advice on how to balance project delivery with environmental protection.

You will lead on complex projects, offering clear technical direction, overseeing surveys and assessments, and ensuring compliance with wildlife legislation and best practice. In addition, you will play a key role in managing and developing a team of ecologists—providing mentorship, technical guidance, and performance support to help others grow in their careers.

As a regional leader, you will help shape project pipelines, support business development activities, and strengthen client relationships across the North. Your ability to combine technical excellence with leadership and commercial awareness will be key to success in this role.

We envision this role as a hybrid position, combining time working from home, on-site visits, and collaboration with colleagues in the office. From day one, you’ll be part of a supportive and collaborative team environment. We’re committed to supporting a healthy work-life balance, offering flexible working arrangements and opportunities to volunteer for causes that matter to you.

Looking ahead, we will support your continued professional development, including chartership progression, specialist training, and opportunities to further develop your leadership and management skills. If you’re an experienced ecologist ready to step into a visible leadership role, bringing expertise, passion, and a proactive approach, we’d love to hear from you.

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive salary, depending on skills, experience
• Company paid life assurance
• Contributed pension scheme
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• Regular career training and development
• A flexible benefits programme including the option to buy additional holidays, health cash plan and discounted gym membership

ADAS is the UK’s largest independent environmental and agricultural consultancy. Our goal as a company is two-fold: secure British food and enhance the environment. Established over 75 years ago and part of RSK Group since 2016, we offer high-quality, research-based tailored solutions for a wide-ranging client base. From working with small and medium-sized landowners to helping shape government policy with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), we are adept at collecting and analysing data and creating bespoke strategies to achieve the best outcome for our client’s unique needs.

We are a trusted brand when it comes to managing the countryside: we do more than simply tick checkboxes; we will formulate a strategy that benefits the landowner and nature – our approach is fluid and changes according to requirements. As well as agricultural research and consultancy, ADAS provides ecology, arboriculture, archaeology, planning, and landscape services to a growing base of clients working across multiple sectors. Our technical specialists have supported both local and nationally significant utility, transport, infrastructure, government and development projects. Some of our client relationships span over 40 years. We evolve and innovate with our clients, thereby ensuring that we provide a practical, reliable, and responsive service.

ADAS 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. At RSK, 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 also providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees.

Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people-first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company. By providing workplace adjustments, we make it easier for people to confidently explore and pursue our career opportunities and recognise that flexibility is key to fostering a dynamic and thriving workplace. Many of our office-based positions benefit from a flexible working arrangement, 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.