Principal Ecologist – Glasgow

Location: Glasgow | Hybrid Working

Embankment Group is representing an established environmental consultancy that is looking to appoint a Principal Ecologist to join its growing Glasgow team.

This is a senior consultancy position offering the opportunity to take a leading role in the delivery of complex ecological projects while supporting the development of less experienced ecologists.

You will work across a varied portfolio of projects, providing technical advice, managing ecological inputs and maintaining strong relationships with clients and project teams. The position will also involve contributing to business development, tender preparation and the continued growth of the ecology service.

The successful candidate will join a collaborative environmental team with access to a broad range of technical specialists across Scotland and the wider UK.

The Role

As Principal Ecologist, your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing ecological projects from initial scoping through to delivery.
• Coordinating workloads and supporting the effective delivery of projects across the wider ecology team.
• Reviewing technical outputs and helping maintain high standards of ecological work.
• Designing and overseeing ecological survey programmes.
• Providing clients with clear, practical advice on ecological constraints, mitigation and project delivery.
• Preparing and reviewing Ecological Impact Assessments and ecology chapters for Environmental Impact Assessment documentation.
• Undertaking and reviewing Habitats Regulations Assessments where required.
• Developing proportionate and commercially realistic mitigation, compensation and enhancement strategies.
• Liaising with statutory bodies, regulators, clients and other project stakeholders.
• Overseeing the implementation of ecological mitigation on site.
• Managing the technical, financial and commercial performance of ecological projects.
• Preparing tenders, fee proposals and technical submissions.
• Identifying and developing new work with existing and prospective clients.
• Mentoring and supporting junior and mid-level ecologists.
• Contributing to a positive, supportive and technically strong team culture.
• Promoting high standards of health, safety and wellbeing across project delivery.

About You

We are interested in speaking with experienced ecologists who can demonstrate:

• Strong experience within ecological consultancy or a related professional environment.
• Broad knowledge of UK habitats and protected species.
• Experience holding, or having previously held, relevant protected species survey or mitigation licences.
• A strong understanding of ecological legislation, planning policy and industry guidance.
• Experience developing and managing ecological survey programmes.
• The ability to provide practical and commercially appropriate ecological advice to clients.
• Experience preparing and reviewing Ecological Impact Assessments.
• Experience contributing to Environmental Impact Assessment documentation.
• Knowledge and practical experience of Habitats Regulations Assessment.
• Experience working with regulators and statutory consultees.
• Strong project management skills, including responsibility for budgets, programmes and deliverables.
• Experience preparing tenders and commercial proposals.
• A track record of developing client relationships and contributing to new business.
• Experience supporting, mentoring or managing other ecologists.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Experience working across development, infrastructure, residential, mixed-use or industrial projects would be particularly beneficial.

Career Development

This position offers the opportunity to take on greater technical, commercial and leadership responsibility within an established ecology team.

You will have scope to influence project delivery, support the development of other ecologists and contribute to the continued growth of the Glasgow team.

The business provides ongoing professional development, technical support and access to internal and external training, with clear routes for further progression into senior technical or management positions.