Ecology Team Lead – Belfast

Location: Belfast / Northern Ireland | Hybrid Working

Embankment Group is representing a leading environmental consultancy that is looking to appoint an experienced Ecology Team Lead to support and develop its growing Northern Ireland ecology team.

This is a senior position combining technical ecology, project delivery and people leadership. You will take responsibility for supporting the day-to-day development of the Belfast ecology team while remaining involved in technically interesting and high-profile environmental projects across Northern Ireland, Ireland and the wider UK.

The wider ecology function brings together expertise across terrestrial ecology, ornithology, aquatic and marine ecology, Biodiversity Net Gain and related nature-based disciplines. You will also work closely with professionals across natural capital, arboriculture, landscape, hydrology, heritage and other environmental specialisms.

The business is looking for someone who enjoys developing people, building strong client relationships and helping shape the future direction of an ecology team.

The Role

As Ecology Team Lead, your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and supporting the ecology team based in Belfast.
• Working with senior regional leadership to plan workloads, resources and future team requirements.
• Supporting the professional development, progression and wellbeing of team members.
• Providing mentoring and technical guidance to ecologists at different stages of their careers.
• Maintaining high standards of technical quality across ecological work and project outputs.
• Managing and contributing to medium and large-scale environmental projects.
• Developing ecological survey strategies and advising clients on appropriate approaches to ecological constraints.
• Providing practical advice on avoidance, mitigation, compensation and enhancement measures.
• Supporting clients through consultation with statutory bodies and environmental regulators.
• Overseeing the implementation of ecological mitigation and monitoring where required.
• Preparing and reviewing Ecological Impact Assessments and ecology chapters for Environmental Impact Assessment reports.
• Contributing to commercial and technical proposals, tenders and fee submissions.
• Building relationships with existing clients while identifying opportunities to develop new work.
• Working alongside other environmental and technical disciplines to deliver integrated project solutions.
• Helping create a positive, collaborative and supportive culture within the ecology team.

About You

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

• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience within ecology, environmental science or a related discipline.
• Membership of CIEEM, ideally at an appropriate professional level, or progress towards further professional accreditation.
• Strong experience within ecological consultancy or a closely related environmental environment.
• Previous experience managing, mentoring or developing members of an ecology team.
• A genuine interest in people management and supporting individuals with their career progression.
• Experience designing and delivering ecological survey programmes.
• Strong knowledge of ecological mitigation and the ability to develop practical and commercially realistic solutions for clients.
• Experience working with regulators, statutory bodies and project stakeholders.
• Experience preparing or reviewing Ecological Impact Assessments and ecology input to EIA documentation.
• Proven project management experience, ideally across medium to large multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong client-facing and commercial skills.
• Experience contributing to tenders, proposals and the development of new consultancy work.
• The ability to balance technical delivery, team leadership and commercial priorities.

Why Consider This Role?

This position offers the chance to take a genuine leadership role within an established consultancy while continuing to remain technically involved in ecology.

You will have the opportunity to influence how the Belfast ecology team develops, mentor and support other ecologists and work alongside a broad network of environmental specialists.

The company offers ongoing professional development, internal and external training and clear opportunities for further progression as the Northern Ireland team continues to grow.