Our client is a leading environmental consultancy with a strong reputation in aquatic ecology and a growing project portfolio across the UK and internationally. They are seeking an experienced professional to take a senior leadership role within their aquatic ecology discipline, shaping technical direction, developing capability, and driving the delivery of complex, multidisciplinary projects.
This is a unique opportunity to influence strategy, lead a high-performing team, and play a central role in winning new work. You will collaborate closely with clients, regulators, and internal specialists to develop effective ecological solutions and guide projects from early assessment through to detailed design and delivery.
Responsibilities
As an Associate Director in Aquatic Ecology, your key responsibilities will include:
- Providing technical leadership across aquatic ecology, guiding investigations and assessments at all project stages.
- Acting as the technical lead for consent-related assessments, including Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA) and Water Framework Directive (WFD) assessments.
- Ensuring consistent, high-quality technical delivery across the team.
- Leading business development activities, building strong client relationships, and identifying new opportunities.
- Growing and developing the aquatic ecology team, mentoring junior staff, and contributing to wider leadership initiatives.
- Collaborating with other disciplines to deliver innovative and effective solutions for complex environmental projects.
Qualifications
To excel in this role, you will bring:
- A degree in ecology or a related biological discipline (postgraduate qualifications are advantageous).
- A strong commercial consultancy background with experience delivering complex environmental projects.
- Extensive knowledge of UK and EU wildlife legislation, planning policy, and licensing requirements.
- Proven experience leading large-scale environmental projects and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated expertise in team leadership, mentoring, and line management.
- A strategic mindset with the ability to contribute to business leadership.
- Broad ecological knowledge with specialist expertise in areas such as fisheries, macroinvertebrates, or macrophytes.
- Full membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIEEM or ISEP).
- Experience managing consent applications, including planning, Development Consent Orders (DCOs), HRA, WFD, and environmental permitting.
- Experience in project direction and conducting technical reviews.
Day-to-Day
Your daily responsibilities will include:
- Leading and overseeing aquatic ecology investigations and assessments.
- Engaging with clients, stakeholders, and regulators to ensure project success.
- Managing and mentoring a team of ecology professionals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
- Developing and implementing strategies to grow the aquatic ecology discipline.
- Preparing and reviewing technical reports and assessments to ensure quality and compliance.
- Identifying and pursuing new business opportunities to expand the project portfolio.
Benefits
Our client offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Generous annual leave and flexible bank holidays.
- Competitive pension scheme and life assurance.
- Wellbeing support and access to employee assistance programs.
- Reimbursement of professional memberships and subscriptions.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance.
- A range of optional lifestyle benefits to suit your needs.
Join an inclusive and collaborative consultancy that values innovation, supports career development, and empowers employees to make a positive impact. If you are ready to take on a leadership role in aquatic ecology and contribute to creating a safer and more sustainable world, we would love to hear from you.
To apply or discuss this opportunity further, please get in touch for a confidential conversation.
