Director Ecology & Biodiversity
We are seeking to recruit a Director of Ecology & Biodiversity (EB). We are keen to hear from applicants with a wide range of backgrounds/specialisms and would welcome applications from existing Associate Director / Director of Ecology seeking their next challenge in a values-led consultancy.
Overview
We are seeking to recruit a Director of Ecology & Biodiversity (EB) to join our growing team to lead technical excellence and business growth. We are keen to hear from applicants with a wide range of backgrounds/specialisms and would welcome applications from existing Associate Director / Director of Ecology looking for their next challenge in a values-led consultancy.
The position will be hybrid with the opportunity to work in one of our many UK offices and may require travel, occasional overnight stays throughout the U.K., and further afield depending on project requirements. We are a flexible employer and are willing to consider flexible working arrangements that are desirable to you.
The Role
This role is for a Director of Ecology & Biodiversity who will have responsibility for leading and developing our ecology team across the U.K. and beyond. Responsibilities will include contributing to the delivery of the company’s net profit, and growth goals through co-ordinating and managing a technical business group, fit-for-purpose, aligned with the current business strategy and business plan. You will work with our EB Managers in England and Scotland to ensure technical and operational excellence across our EB Group as a whole.
The selected candidate will work within a supportive and passionate team focusing on business development, successful project delivery, and client satisfaction.
Experience
We are keen to hear how your professional experience can help us to deliver high quality ecology projects and support our team growth. We will expect applicants to be able to demonstrate some or all of the following:
- Excellent understanding of U.K. wildlife legislation, good practice guidance for ecological surveys and assessments and the planning process across the U.K.
- Strong background/specialism in one or more areas of ecological survey and assessment (e.g., plants/habitats, birds, other protected species).
- Strong project management abilities across a range of project types e.g., EcIAs for development, EIAs, Construction ecological support, habitat monitoring and restoration, BNG and ESG
- Experience of reviewing and coordinating EIA chapters.
- Experience of reviewing HRAs and AAs
- A successful track record of leading ecology project teams in the U.K.
- Strong people and interpersonal skills to motivate and support our ecology team.
- Strong report writing skills and communication with clients and other staff members.
- Experience of managing frameworks for ecological services
- Experience of managing project budgets and financial reporting.
- Experience of line management/ supervision of staff up to senior levels.
- Experience of developing strategy and development goals for teams and business units.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess a BSc and/or MSc in Ecology or related discipline and a Membership of a relevant professional body such as the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM). We would welcome applications from Chartered Ecologists.
Competence
We are keen to hear from applicants with a wide range of backgrounds/specialisms; wide range of competencies are beneficial for this role. These may include:
- Habitat survey and assessment.
- Protected Species surveying, mitigation, and licensing.
- Ornithological survey and assessment.
- Leading and managing ecology, ornithology and ECoW teams.
- Production of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) chapters.
- Production of Habitats Regulations Appraisals (HRA) and Appropriate Assessments (AA)
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
- Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW), construction support, and delivery of pragmatic solutions.
- Ecological project management.
- Biodiversity net gain, and ESG