Your new company
Our client is a growing environmental consultancy in the appointment of a Technical Director – Ecology. This is an opportunity to join an ambitious organisation delivering complex infrastructure, renewable energy and land-use projects across the UK. With an expanding portfolio of large-scale developments, including renewable energy schemes and nationally significant infrastructure projects, the business is seeking an experienced technical leader to drive ecological excellence across its project delivery teams.This role would suit an experienced Principal Ecologist, Associate Director or Technical Director looking to focus on technical leadership while influencing major projects and supporting the development of a growing ecology team.
Your new role
As Technical Director – Ecology, you will act as a senior technical authority within the organisation, providing expert guidance on complex ecological projects and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, robust and defensible ecological advice.
You will work closely with project teams across large-scale infrastructure and development projects, supporting ecological assessment, planning and consenting processes while promoting technical consistency and best practice throughout the business.
- Lead complex ecological inputs into Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and major infrastructure projects.
- Author and review technical reports, assessments and supporting documentation, including EcIA, HRA and bespoke technical notes.
- Provide technical oversight of Environmental Statement chapters and ecological assessments.
- Support project teams with survey design, impact assessment and mitigation strategy development.
- Prepare and contribute to tender submissions for complex projects.
- Provide technical guidance on protected species licencing and mitigation requirements.
- Support ecological inputs into Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and strategies.
- Advise on ecological legislation, planning policy and industry best practice.
- Lead responses to consultations, examinations, hearings and planning enquiries.
- Support planning appeals and consenting processes where required.
- Mentor and develop ecological consultants, helping to build technical capability across the team.
- Contribute to internal quality assurance processes, technical standards and continuous improvement initiatives.
What you’ll need to succeed
- Degree qualification in Ecology, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
- Significant ecological consultancy experience at Principal Ecologist level or above.
- Strong experience in the authorship and review of EcIA, Environmental Statement and Habitat Regulations Assessment documentation.
- Experience working within multidisciplinary EIA teams.
- Excellent knowledge of UK ecological legislation, policy and guidance.
- Experience designing mitigation strategies and supporting protected species licencing.
- Good understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain principles and implementation.
- Full CIEEM membership would be advantageous.
- Experience supporting planning appeals, examinations or major consenting processes would be beneficial.
What you’ll get in return
- Competitive salary of £60,000 – £70,000 depending on experience.
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Life Assurance.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
- Paid professional memberships.
- Comprehensive internal and external training opportunities.
- Regular performance and career development reviews.
- Enhanced family-friendly policies and support.
- Volunteering and community engagement opportunities.
- An inclusive workplace culture that promotes collaboration, wellbeing and continuous development.
- Opportunities to work alongside a wider network of environmental and professional services specialists.
What you need to do now
If you’re interested in this role, click ‘apply now’ to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.If this job isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C’s, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk
…