Principal Ecologist

Principal Ecologist - Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh | Hybrid working
Contract: Permanent, Full-time

Our client is looking for an experienced Principal Ecologist to join a well-established and growing ecology team in Edinburgh.

This is a senior consultancy role offering a strong mix of technical ecology, project management, client engagement and team leadership. You'll work alongside specialists across Scotland and Ireland on a broad range of infrastructure, renewables, utilities and environmental projects.

As Principal Ecologist, you will take a leading role in the delivery of complex ecology projects while supporting the development of colleagues across the wider team.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and supporting ecology projects from initial survey through to reporting and delivery.
• Managing and mentoring Ecologists at different levels, including workload planning and professional development.
• Supporting wider team resourcing, recruitment, training and technical development.
• Planning and undertaking Phase 1 / UKHab habitat surveys and protected species surveys.
• Working across species including badger, otter, bats, amphibians and reptiles
  .
• Preparing and reviewing PEAs, EcIAs, Protected Species Reports, HRAs, Environmental Statement chapters and mitigation licence applications
  .
• Managing clients, budgets, project programmes and competing deadlines.
• Preparing tenders and proposals for new work.
• Liaising and negotiating with regulators, consultees and other stakeholders.
• Providing technical review and quality assurance across project deliverables.
• Sharing technical knowledge and helping develop best practice across the team.

The successful candidate is likely to have strong experience within ecological consultancy, environmental regulation or a related professional setting, with the confidence to manage projects and provide technical leadership.

Experience across the following would be particularly valuable:

• Strong knowledge of Scottish ecology policy, legislation and guidance
  .
• Advanced experience in habitat assessment, botanical survey and/or protected species work.
• Experience producing and reviewing high-quality ecological reports.
• Strong knowledge of EcIA and HRA processes.
• Experience managing projects, budgets and client relationships.
• Experience leading or mentoring other Ecologists.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A relevant ecology or environmental degree.
• Full CIEEM membership, or eligibility to progress towards it.

A protected species survey or mitigation licence, technical specialism or progress towards chartership would be advantageous but is not essential.

The successful person will have the opportunity to work across a varied portfolio, including:

• Major infrastructure schemes.
• Renewable energy developments.
• Utilities and network improvement programmes.
• Flood defence projects.
• Active travel schemes.
• Green infrastructure and public-realm projects.

This role would suit someone who wants to combine technical ecology with leadership and project management
, while continuing to develop their own specialist expertise.

Our client offers a supportive multidisciplinary environment with access to experienced Ecologists across Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast, alongside opportunities to contribute to large-scale projects throughout Scotland and further afield.