Location:
Coventry, West Midlands (Flexible & Hybrid Working)
Salary:
£42,000–£49,000 DOE
Job Type:
Permanent, Full-time
Job Reference:
56307
Closing Date:
21 November 2026
Take the Next Step in Your Ecology Career with a Leading Environmental Consultancy
Are you an experienced Senior or Principal Ecologist looking for an opportunity to progress your career, take ownership of exciting projects and make a genuine difference to the natural environment?
We are recruiting for a Principal Ecologist to join an established and growing environmental consultancy based in Coventry. This is an excellent opportunity to work with a highly experienced team of ecological professionals, delivering a diverse portfolio of projects across the Midlands and wider UK.
Offering a competitive salary of £42,000–£49,000, flexible and hybrid working, paid overtime, a discretionary bonus and excellent professional development opportunities, this role provides the ideal combination of technical responsibility, career progression and work-life balance.
The Opportunity
As a Principal Ecologist, you will play a key role in managing and delivering ecological projects, providing technical expertise and supporting the development of colleagues.
You will work across a broad range of projects, including habitat surveys, ecological assessments, protected species surveys, mitigation design and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments.
This position is particularly well suited to an experienced Ecologist who enjoys combining technical consultancy with project management, client engagement and mentoring.
Key Responsibilities
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Lead and manage a varied portfolio of ecological consultancy projects from initial assessment through to delivery.
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Undertake and oversee ecological surveys, including UK Habitat Classification (UKHab) assessments and protected species surveys.
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Prepare, review and provide technical input into ecological reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs) and mitigation strategies.
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Deliver Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and provide advice on habitat creation, enhancement and management.
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Manage project budgets, programmes, resources and client expectations to ensure successful project delivery.
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Provide technical guidance, mentoring and support to junior and senior members of the ecology team.
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Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders and multidisciplinary project teams.
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Ensure projects are delivered in accordance with relevant legislation, planning policy and industry best practice.
About You
We are looking for an experienced ecological consultant with strong technical knowledge, excellent project management skills and a passion for delivering high-quality ecological solutions.
Essential Skills and Experience
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Significant experience working within UK ecological consultancy, ideally at Senior or Principal level.
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Strong competency in UKHab surveys and habitat assessments.
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Experience delivering Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments using the statutory biodiversity metric.
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Proven ability to manage ecological projects, budgets, resources and deadlines.
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Experience preparing and reviewing ecological reports and technical documentation.
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Good working knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy and ecological best practice.
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Excellent communication skills and confidence working directly with clients and project teams.
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Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel when required.
Desirable Experience
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Protected species survey licences, particularly for bats, great crested newts or dormice.
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Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM).
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Experience mentoring and supporting the technical development of other Ecologists.
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A valid CSCS card.
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Experience contributing to business development, fee proposals and client relationship management.
Salary & Benefits
This consultancy places a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing, flexibility and professional development, offering a supportive environment where individuals are encouraged to progress their careers.
Benefits include:
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Salary of £42,000–£49,000, depending on experience.
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Flexible and hybrid working, supporting a healthy work-life balance.
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24 days' annual leave, with opportunities for additional entitlement as you progress.
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Paid overtime and a Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) scheme.
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Discretionary performance-related bonus.
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Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
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Support with career progression and development of technical expertise.
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Employee Assistance Programme.
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Opportunities to work on diverse and environmentally significant projects.
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A collaborative, inclusive and supportive working environment.
Why Apply?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a respected environmental consultancy with more than 30 years of experience delivering ecological and environmental services across the UK.
You will become part of a growing team of passionate environmental professionals committed to protecting habitats, restoring biodiversity and delivering sustainable outcomes.
With a strong pipeline of projects, a supportive leadership team and genuine opportunities to develop your technical and management experience, this position offers excellent long-term career prospects.
Whether you are an established Principal Ecologist or an experienced Senior Ecologist ready to take the next step, we would welcome the opportunity to discuss this role with you.
Apply Today
If you're an experienced Ecologist looking for a new challenge in Coventry, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today or contact Embankment Group for a confidential discussion about the role, salary, benefits and career progression opportunities.
Job Reference:
56307
Closing Date:
21 November 2026
All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.
