Principal Ecologist​/Associate Director - Ecology

Job Title

Principal Ecologist or Associate Director

At Jacobs, we challenge today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing. This role is based in Peterborough and plays a key role within the office’s leadership team, guiding delivery of major programmes across the UK.

Lead the Peterborough ecology team in a wide portfolio of projects spanning water, transport and energy infrastructure, influencing major programmes, and shaping decisions that impact communities, environments and sustainability outcomes.

• Help steer the strategic direction for the Peterborough ecology team and contribute to UK‑wide leadership
• Act as the go‑to expert, providing high‑quality advice to clients, stakeholders and regulators
• Build strong relationships through extensive client and stakeholder engagement
• Lead and inspire colleagues through empathetic, high‑impact leadership and mentoring
• Apply technical expertise across EIA, Habitat Regulations Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain
• Design and oversee ecological monitoring and survey programmes
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated, innovative solutions
• Play a central role in identifying, bidding and winning new work
• Promote the ecology team's capability across the wider business and externally
• Oversee resource planning for the Peterborough ecology teams to ensure workloads are balanced and projects are properly supported
• Shape not just projects, but people, performance and the future direction of the team

• Confident, forward‑thinking leader ready to take the next step
• Strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience
• Chartered status (or on track to achieve it)
• Proven experience leading ecological input on large‑scale projects
• Strategic mindset with the ability to influence wider business decisions
• Experience in line management, mentoring and team development
• Proactive, hands‑on approach with strong self‑awareness
• Ability to adapt across diverse and complex projects

• Innovative scoping of ecological inputs
• Protected species licensing and Biodiversity Net Gain
• Project consenting and construction environments
• Stakeholder and regulator engagement
• Planning inquiries and examinations

• Competitive salary reflecting skills and experience
• 24 days holiday plus option to buy a further 10 days
• Robust pension contributions up to 10%
• Comprehensive health coverage including digital GP service and options to add partner and family
• Employee networks supporting diverse workforce backgrounds
• Family planning support access to fertility healthcare and family planning services
• Enhanced parental leave pay and free membership to employee assistance and parental programmes
• Life assurance at 4× your salary
• Income protection for long‑term illness or injury
• Wellbeing hub free access to wellbeing apps
• Professional development covering professional membership fees and continuous professional development opportunities
• Community engagement paid volunteering time and charitable donations

We are a disability‑confident employer and will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We accept people for who they are and champion diverse perspectives. We seek to support flexible working and reasonable adjustments where needed.