Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead botanical projects, mentor a team, and ensure high-quality ecological consultancy outcomes.
- Company: Join Southern Ecological Solutions, a trusted consultancy in ecology and landscape design.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, generous holidays, and private medical insurance.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on the environment while advancing your career in a supportive culture.
- Qualifications: Degree in botany or related field; experience in leading surveys and managing teams required.
- Other info: Hybrid working model available for Midlands-based candidates.
The predicted salary is between 39000 - 46000 £ per year.
2 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants
The Vacancy
Advance Your Career as a Principal Botanist at Southern Ecological Solutions (SES)
Are you an experienced botanical expert looking to lead and inspire in a dynamic environment? Southern Ecological Solutions (SES), an innovative member of the RSK Group, is searching for a passionate
The Vacancy
Advance Your Career as a Principal Botanist at Southern Ecological Solutions (SES)
Are you an experienced botanical expert looking to lead and inspire in a dynamic environment? Southern Ecological Solutions (SES), an innovative member of the RSK Group, is searching for a passionate Principal Botanist to join our thriving team. This full-time, permanent position offers a hybrid working model, ideal for candidates based in the Midlands or along the M1 corridor who can commute to our projects and offices in the region. Lead botanical projects, mentor a talented team, and help shape the future of ecological consultancy with SES!
Why Join SES?
SES is a trusted consultancy specializing in Ecology, Arboriculture, and Landscape Planning & Design. For over a decade, we\’ve built a reputation for delivering pragmatic, innovative solutions to clients ranging from global corporations to private homeowners.
At SES, you’ll have the opportunity to advance your career while contributing to environmentally sustainable growth. Be part of a company that champions innovation and values its people as much as the environment.
Your Role
- Botanical Leadership & Expertise: Lead botanical surveys, habitat assessments, and vegetation mapping. Provide expert advice on plant identification, invasive species, habitat restoration, and other botanical matters.
- Project Oversight: Guide diverse projects from inception to completion, ensuring high-quality outcomes within timelines and budgets. Collaborate on complex ecological assessments and mitigation strategies.
- Team Development: Mentor and inspire a team of ecologists and junior botanists, fostering professional growth and driving a culture of excellence.
- Client Engagement: Build lasting relationships with clients, delivering tailored solutions and identifying opportunities for growth. Represent SES with professionalism and thought leadership.
- Compliance & Best Practice: Ensure all projects adhere to current legislation and industry standards, including ecological and planning policies.
- Collaboration Across Disciplines: Work closely with Arboriculture, Landscape Planning, and other teams within SES and the wider RSK Group to provide integrated solutions.
What We’re Looking For
- Proven Botanical Expertise: Extensive experience in leading botanical surveys and vegetation assessments, with an in-depth knowledge of plant ecology and habitats in the UK.
- Qualifications: A degree in botany, plant sciences, ecology, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification is desirable.
- Licensing Mastery: Familiarity with protected species licensing and habitat management practices.
- Leadership Skills: Experience in mentoring and managing teams, with a track record of successfully delivering complex projects.
- Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated ability to build client relationships, identify business opportunities, and contribute to company growth.
- Commitment to Excellence: Strong understanding of environmental legislation, planning policy, and best practices in botanical consultancy.
What We Offer
- Competitive Salary: Earn between £45,000 – £55,000 based on experience and expertise.
- Birthday Leave: Take a day off to celebrate your special day.
- Life Assurance: Benefit from our life assurance plan for added peace of mind.
- Pension Contributions: Support your future with employer contributions to your pension.
- Generous Holidays: Start with 20 days (plus bank holidays), increasing annually up to 28 days.
- Private Medical Insurance: Access private healthcare to prioritize your well-being.
- Flexible Benefits Programme: Customize your perks, including additional holidays, health cash plans, and discounted gym memberships.
RSK Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
Join the SES team and make a meaningful impact on the environment while advancing your career as a Principal Botanist.
#botany #environmentaljobs #RSKfamily
More Detailed Job Description Attached.
RSK will not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies other than RSK PSL or Secondary agencies.
About Us
We are a multi-disciplinary consultancy specialising in ecology, habitat management, arboriculture, and landscape design, based in Essex, UK. Since our company’s founding, we have grown to become a leading UK provider of specialist ecological, arboricultural and landscape design consulting services. We are known for devising sustainable, pragmatic, and client-focused solutions. Our diverse portfolio includes clients in the fields of infrastructure, development, conservation charities and individual bespoke projects. Our business is continuing to expand into new markets, and we are forming new teams to meet future challenges.
SES has a team of 52 qualified ecologists, landscape architects, arboriculturists and coordination and support staff. Currently, we’re working with Barratt Homes and the RSPB on a large residential housing development, Kingsbrook, a case study in the biodiversity net gain best practice principles for development. Our ecological work includes due diligence reporting, land appraisals, habitat design and creation, protected species surveys and ecological impact assessments. Landscape design and planning services teams specialise in strategic projects, combining an innovative and context-led approach to design.
SES 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. Do you have what it takes?
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Mid-Senior level
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
-
Job function
Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Southern Ecological Solutions (SES) by 2x
Get notified about new Botanist jobs in West Midlands, England, United Kingdom.
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom 4 days ago
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago
West Midlands, England, United Kingdom 1 day ago
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom 12 hours ago
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
Birmingham, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago
We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Principal Botanist employer: Southern Ecological Solutions (SES)
Contact Detail:
Southern Ecological Solutions (SES) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Botanist
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the ecological consultancy field. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and mentors who can provide insights into SES and its culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Research SES's recent projects and initiatives. Understanding their work, especially in botanical surveys and habitat assessments, will help you speak knowledgeably about how your experience aligns with their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and mentoring experiences. SES values team development, so be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully guided teams in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with current environmental legislation and best practices in botanical consultancy. Being well-versed in these areas will demonstrate your commitment to excellence and compliance, which is crucial for SES.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Botanist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in botanical surveys and vegetation assessments. Emphasise your leadership skills and any relevant qualifications, such as a degree in botany or ecology.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for botany and your commitment to environmental sustainability. Mention specific projects you've led and how they align with SES's mission and values.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, detail your experience with protected species licensing and habitat management practices. Provide examples of how you've successfully mentored teams and delivered complex projects.
Showcase Client Engagement Skills: Demonstrate your ability to build client relationships and identify business opportunities. Include examples of how you've contributed to company growth through your work in ecological consultancy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Ecological Solutions (SES)
✨Showcase Your Botanical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your extensive experience in leading botanical surveys and vegetation assessments. Highlight specific projects where you provided expert advice on plant identification and habitat restoration, as this will demonstrate your suitability for the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since the role involves mentoring a team, share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Discuss your approach to fostering professional growth and driving a culture of excellence within your team.
✨Engage with Client Relationships
Prepare to talk about your experience in building lasting relationships with clients. Share instances where you identified business opportunities and tailored solutions to meet client needs, showcasing your commercial acumen.
✨Understand Compliance and Best Practices
Familiarise yourself with current legislation and industry standards relevant to ecological consultancy. Be ready to discuss how you ensure projects adhere to these regulations, as this knowledge is crucial for the role.
