Principal Ecologist

Embankment Group is recruiting on behalf of an established environmental and planning consultancy seeking an experienced Principal Ecologist to join its growing London ecology team.

This senior position combines technical leadership, project management, client engagement and team development. The successful candidate will be an accomplished ecological generalist with a strong ornithology specialism and will play an important role in expanding the consultancy’s bird ecology capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead complex ecological projects across infrastructure, renewable energy, residential development and conservation.
• Design and deliver ornithological survey programmes, impact assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Manage project budgets, programmes, technical inputs and stakeholder expectations.
• Produce and review high-quality technical reports supporting planning and consenting applications.
• Provide technical leadership and quality assurance across ecological reports, surveys and advice.
• Act as a trusted adviser to clients throughout the planning and consenting process.
• Mentor and support colleagues within the ecology team.
• Help develop technical best practice and grow the consultancy’s ornithology services.
• Build strong relationships with clients, regulators and multidisciplinary project teams.

Candidate Requirements

• Significant experience delivering ecological projects within a consultancy environment.
• Strong general ecological knowledge with demonstrable expertise in ornithology.
• Experience designing and managing bird survey programmes across a range of habitats and project types.
• The ability to interpret survey findings and provide clear, practical and proportionate recommendations.
• Proven project management experience, including responsibility for budgets, deadlines and project teams.
• Strong technical report-writing skills and experience supporting planning and consenting applications.
• Experience contributing to inquiry or appeal work would be advantageous.
• Confidence advising clients and working with a range of project stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior colleagues.
• Strong commercial awareness and an interest in supporting the continued growth of the ecology team.

Benefits

• Agile and flexible working
• Private healthcare
• Life assurance
• Generous annual leave with the option to buy or sell additional days
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Professional training and development
• Clear opportunities for career progression