Associate Director - Ecology

Role Overview

At WSP the Ecology team is a large, friendly and diverse group working collaboratively with experts across the UK. This role offers training, mentoring, and the chance to develop core ecological, project‑management and consultancy skills while influencing the wider ecology industry.

• Work closely with the team, the Regional Director and the Team Leader to manage workload and oversee technical quality.
• Generate opportunities, prepare tenders and oversee the delivery and management of ecological deliverables (technical, commercial and financial) to support client projects.
• Provide site‑and‑office based support to develop and mentor junior team members.
• Help nurture an enthusiastic, supportive and productive working environment.

• Experience across a range of UK habitats and protected species, holding (or having held) survey or mitigation licences.
• A proven record of supporting clients through devising and delivering survey programmes, developing pragmatic, cost‑effective mitigation, gaining regulator agreement, and supervising on‑site implementation.
• Experience of Ecological Impact Assessment and writing Environmental Statement chapters.
• Experience of Habitat Regulations Assessment.
• A proven record of winning work from commercial clients, particularly in residential, mixed‑use and industrial sectors.
• A passion for leading and supporting ecologists of all grades to develop and progress in their careers at WSP.

• Hybrid working: two days a week from home with collaborative opportunities in UK offices.
• Work‑life balance support including WSP My Hour, part‑time and flexible arrangements, additional leave purchase and flexible bank holiday use.
• Inclusivity and belonging initiatives and employee resource groups.
• Health and wellbeing support:
  Thrive programme, Virtual GP service, reasonable adjustments, gym membership discount (Gymflex) and menopause support package.
• Development and training opportunities, mentoring, and Chartership pathways.

WSP is an equal opportunity employer. We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.