Principal Ecologist

Principal Ecologist

Department: Field Team

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Essex

Reporting To: Steph Green

Compensation: £45,000 - £55,000 / year

Principal Ecologist – South-East England (Location Flexible)

Help establish and lead our new regional office

We’re offering a rare opportunity for an experienced Principal Ecologist to establish and lead a new South‑East office, backed by the support and stability of an established consultancy. You’ll enjoy genuine influence, flexible working, a discretionary 9‑day fortnight, group‑wide learning opportunities, and the chance to shape a growing team while working on impactful ecological projects.

Ethos Environmental Planning Ltd is part of the Celnor Group, a network of specialist environmental, testing, inspection and risk‑management businesses committed to protecting people, places and the planet. Being part of Celnor gives you access to shared tools, development pathways and group‑wide opportunities while retaining our expertise and identity that makes Ethos a trusted ecological consultancy.

Ethos is an environmental planning consultancy based in Bath and working across the UK. We are a multi‑disciplinary consultancy providing decision‑making in relation to planning with a focus on ecology, green space and biodiversity net gain.

Over recent years, we’ve developed strong and growing relationships with clients across the East and South‑East of England. Demand has now reached the point where we’re ready to establish a new regional office — and we’re looking for an experienced Principal Ecologist to help create, shape and lead it.

We don’t have a fixed location in mind for the new office; we’re driven by finding the right person.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for someone ready to take the next step in their career: the chance to build a team from the ground up, while still enjoying the stability, support and shared resources of an established consultancy. While you’ll have the space to shape and grow this new office, you’ll also be part of a connected, supportive team with a track record of delivering high‑quality ecological services across the UK.

You’ll take a key role across the business, helping to set technical standards, guide project delivery, mentor colleagues and contribute actively to the Ethos Management Team.

• Conduct UK habitat surveys, hedgerow assessments and condition assessments
• Lead protected species surveys (e.g., bats, GCN, reptiles, dormouse, birds)
• Deliver ecological supervision including watching briefs, toolbox talks and ECW duties

• Lead and approve EcIAs, ES chapters, licence applications, mitigation strategies and management plans
• Lead Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments using DEFRA Metric and related tools (BREEAM, Habitat Regulations, etc.)
• Ensure consistency, technical quality and continuous improvement in ecological assessments
• Analyse ecological data, assess impacts and apply the mitigation hierarchy to develop robust strategies
• Design and deliver ecological monitoring schemes
• Produce GIS mapping of habitats and ecological features
• Prepare and provide ecological evidence for appeals

• Manage a diverse portfolio of projects, including complex programmes
• Lead communication with clients and stakeholders, offering expert ecological advice
• Attend project meetings and liaise with statutory and non‑statutory consultees
• Prepare and review quotes, invoices, budgets and proposals
• Oversee survey planning, team resourcing and workflow to ensure deadlines are met
• Coordinate operational procedures including timetables, reporting and delivery standards

• Identify and pursue opportunities for new clients and project growth
• Implement systems to support efficiency and good practice
• Review and implement fee rates across the new office
• Ensure team capacity aligns with workflow and support recruitment as the office grows
• Mentor and develop staff, delivering training sessions and leading appraisals
• Support the Managing Director with HR, H&S compliance and staff well‑being

• Mi…