Principal Ecologist​/Associate Director - Ecology

Principal Ecologist /Associate Director - Ecology Peterborough

Northminster, Peterborough, United Kingdom

We’re looking for a principal ecologist or associate director to help lead our Peterborough ecology team – a pivotal role within our UK ecology business.

• 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 projects, 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.
• Experience in 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 the option to buy a further 10 days.
• Robust pension contributions up to 10%.
• Comprehensive health coverage with digital GP service and optional partner/family coverage.
• Employee networks and a commitment to a diverse workforce.
• Family planning support including fertility healthcare services.
• Enhanced parental leave with pay and free membership to employee assistance and parental programmes.
• Income protection for financial security in case of long‑term illness or injury.
• Wellbeing hub with free access to wellbeing apps.
• Professional development covered – membership fees and CPD opportunities.
• Community engagement through charity matched funding, paid volunteering and charitable donations.

Because this is more than a leadership role – it’s your chance to define the future of ecology within a global organisation while working on projects that shape the world around us.