About The Role
Are you an experienced fisheries professional ready to step into a role where you can shape projects, support clients and develop others? Do you enjoy working in partnership with clients to help them navigate complex environmental challenges?
We’re looking for a Principal – Freshwater Fisheries to join APEM’s nationwide team within our Water Management Division. This is a standout opportunity to take a leading role in a team delivering some of the most interesting and varied fisheries work across the UK. Our work with water companies, regulators and infrastructure clients often goes beyond traditional consultancy; we work closely with them to explore challenges, share insight and guide the best path forward.
That means you won’t just be delivering surveys or reports. You’ll be helping clients understand their options, providing clear, evidence‑led advice and supporting them to make confident, informed decisions.
Alongside this, you’ll play a key role in leading and developing others. Our Senior Consultants and Scientists are a talented and growing group, and this role is central to providing the mentoring, guidance and support that helps them thrive — whether that’s technical development, project delivery or building confidence in client‑facing work.
This is a role where you can make a genuine impact; on projects, on people and on the direction of the team.
What you’ll be doing
- Leading a diverse portfolio of freshwater fisheries and multidisciplinary projects
- Setting technical direction across fisheries surveys, assessments and mitigation design
- Working closely with clients to understand challenges and provide clear, practical advice
- Managing complex projects from early‑stage opportunities through to delivery
- Leading and contributing to tenders, including defining scope and setting budgets
- Building and strengthening long‑term client relationships
- Mentoring, supporting and line‑managing Senior Consultants and Scientists
- Reviewing technical outputs and ensuring high standards across the team
- Identifying opportunities for growth and supporting the expansion of APEM’s fisheries services
- Collaborating across disciplines to deliver integrated environmental solutions
What we’re looking for
You’ll need to bring:
- Strong experience in freshwater fisheries ecology and ecological assessment, ideally within consultancy
- Extensive experience designing and delivering fisheries surveys
- Deep knowledge of aquatic ecology and relevant UK legislation (e.g. WFD, EIA, HRA)
- Proven ability to lead complex projects and manage competing priorities
- Strong client‑facing experience and the ability to provide clear, confident advice
- Experience mentoring, supporting or managing others
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills
It’s a bonus if you have:
- Chartered status or working towards professional accreditation
- Strong experience leading tenders and winning work
- Experience working on large, multidisciplinary or high‑profile projects
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