Senior Ecologist

Senior Ecologist / Project Manager – Kent or Sussex.

Location: Based in Kent (with flexibility to work remotely from East Sussex or Surrey), or Sussex (with flexibility to work remotely form Kent or Surrey).

Salary: From £32,000 (dependent on experience and protected species licences)

We are seeking a Senior Ecologist / Project Manager to join our growing team based in Kent or Sussex, with flexibility for cross region remote working.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ecologist looking to step up into a senior role, or for an established Senior Consultant seeking a new challenge and the chance to play a key role in a developing and ambitious business.

You will be responsible for managing a variety of ecological projects and contributing to technical work across a range of disciplines. The role offers the opportunity to undertake a broad range of survey work, including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRAs), mitigation and habitat creation, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), and protected species surveys, including European Protected Species Mitigation Licence (EPSML) applications.

You will work closely with the Kent-based or Sussex based team and collaborate with colleagues across the wider business. Depending on your experience, you will also have opportunities to mentor and coach junior colleagues, as well as manage projects or tasks within multidisciplinary teams.

• Managing and delivering a range of ecological projects from inception to completion
• Preparing high-quality proposals, reports, and technical documents
• Undertaking and overseeing ecological and protected species surveys
• Preparing and submitting EPSML applications
• Liaising effectively with clients, consultees, and other environmental disciplines
• Supporting and mentoring junior team members
• Ensuring work is completed to the highest technical and professional standards

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent) in ecology or a related subject
• Minimum of five years’ experience in a similar consultancy role
• Ideally hold at least two protected species survey licences (a bat licence is preferable)
• Experience preparing and submitting EPSMLs
• Strong understanding of protected species technical work and ecological legislation
• Experience with project management, client liaison, and proposal preparation
• Full membership of CIEEM (or eligibility to apply /upgrade)
• A valid UK driving licence and willingness to work flexible hours and travel to sites as required
• An MSc or PhD in a relevant subject is desirable but not essential
• Experience with other protected species or as a botanist would be advantageous

We are currently running a company-wide four-day working week trial (March–December 2026), where staff work Monday to Thursday at full pay. Friday is a non-working day for most roles. We are committed to finding sustainable ways of working that genuinely support our people’s wellbeing.

Dependent on experience and licences held.

• Hospital and consultant fees
• Inpatient and outpatient care
• Optical and dental cover
• Physiotherapy
• Diagnostic cover and therapies

Our annual leave entitlement is above the statutory minimum and has been adjusted proportionally to reflect our four-day working week — so the real value of your leave remains strong.

Option to use a company vehicle or claim mileage for project-related travel.

Full coverage of your CIEEM membership fees, a £750 annual training budget, and access to larger budgets for specific training goals.

Access to well-maintained, up-to-date equipment to support your fieldwork — including night vision aids that have been part of our kit for over 12 years.

Two days per week in the office, with the rest worked flexibly from home or in the field.

Enhanced sick pay above the statutory minimum, so you can focus on getting better.

• £2,000 after 5 years
• £4,000 after 10 years
• £6,000…