Principal Aquatic Ecologist

Overview

We are representing a well-established environmental consultancy seeking a Principal Aquatic Ecologist to join its Bristol office. This is an exciting opportunity to take on a key regional leadership role within a busy and expanding team delivering projects across the South West and nationally.

If you are an experienced aquatic ecologist with a strong consultancy background and a passion for leading technical delivery, this role offers the chance to make a significant impact while advancing your career.

Responsibilities

As a Principal Aquatic Ecologist, you will:

• Lead the technical delivery of aquatic ecology surveys and assessments across water company frameworks, major infrastructure schemes, and private development projects.
• Design and manage aquatic and habitat surveys.
• Deliver ecological impact assessments and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) strategies.
• Provide expert advice on Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRA) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).
• Manage workloads and allocate team resources effectively.
• Develop and implement mitigation strategies and licensing.
• Support bid preparation and framework opportunities.
• Play an active role in growing the client base and supporting proposals.

Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will need:

• A strong consultancy background with experience as a technical lead.
• At least one protected species licence.
• Proven experience delivering habitat assessments and applying the Defra Biodiversity Metric.
• In-depth knowledge of UK wildlife legislation and planning policy.
• GIS experience.
• A full UK driving licence.
• Full membership of CIEEM (Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management).

Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary infrastructure teams would be highly beneficial.

Day-to-Day

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing and conducting aquatic and habitat surveys.
• Managing and mentoring team members to ensure high-quality project delivery.
• Engaging with clients and stakeholders to provide expert ecological advice.
• Preparing technical reports, assessments, and proposals.
• Monitoring project progress to ensure ecological risk and commercial performance are effectively managed.
• Contributing to the growth of the consultancy’s client base and reputation.

Benefits

This role offers:

• The opportunity to join an established Bristol-based team with a national reach.
• A supportive leadership environment that encourages professional growth.
• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
• A competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• A clear pathway to senior strategic roles within the organisation.

If you are a motivated and experienced aquatic ecologist looking to take the next step in your career, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Join a team that values expertise, collaboration, and innovation in delivering impactful environmental solutions.