Principal Ecologist

Right across infrastructure, there’s a requirement to not only maintain, but also renew and reimagine. Whatever stage you’re at in your career, with us you’ll have an opportunity to grow and develop. Delivering essential infrastructure services for life, while being safety first, and client and customer centric in a friendly, fun and respectful environment where you are encouraged to thrive. 

Where will you be working?

At M Group Highways, we’re supporting the safe transportation and movement of people across the UK.  

We don’t just build roads and bridges- we’re building a better future, creating lasting social value that gives back to the communities in which we work.

You’ll be joining our Highways team, as the UK’s number one highway maintenance contractor, our teams use the latest innovations to create effective solutions. We offer a range of services including planned and reactive maintenance and highway improvement schemes.  

Want to come and be a part of it?

What will you be doing?

We are seeking a Principal Ecologist to join our expanding team of environmental specialists within our M Group Environmental Solutions (MGES) consultancy function.

Your role will be varied and challenging with responsibility for leading our internal ecological function and building a team to support our design and delivery teams across all project stages within Transport, Water, Energy & Telecom infrastructure sectors. Expect to be:

• Leading a team of ecologists to support delivery of high-quality ecological services from the earliest design stages through to construction and maintenance phases.

• Working collaboratively with engineers, project managers and delivery teams to manage ecological deliverables for project programmes, ranging from small maintenance activities to large & complex civils projects.

   

• Providing more technically demanding desk- and site-based ecological consultancy services and advice across a diverse project portfolio.

   

• Ensuring appraisal and survey results are presented in a clear, professional and engaging formats for different audiences, ranging from technical notes to more detailed reports (e.g. Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments).

   

• Undertaking licensable ecological support activities and leading development of mitigation and enhancement strategies for projects.

   

• Leading Habitats Regulations Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments, SSSI Assent applications, and licence applications.

   

• Identifying and leading the development of new service offerings, process improvements, and growth of our internal ecology function.

   

• Playing a leading role in delivering the Nature objectives within our organisational Environmental Strategy.

   

• Championing opportunities for improvement across the whole project lifecycle through ecological enhancements, nature-based solutions, and biodiversity net gain.

   

• Taking technical ownership of preparing, reviewing and approving reports, risk assessments, method statements, and other project deliverables.

   

• Planning and programming ecological workload for the team to ensure resources are utilised efficiently and new work pipeline opportunities are intercepted effectively.

   

• Producing, reviewing and approving fee proposals, overseeing delivery within agreed budgets / programmes, and coordinating internal and external specialists.

   

• Engaging directly with statutory regulators, consultees, and stakeholders to address environmental constraints and explore opportunities.

   

• Playing leading role in recruiting, managing and mentoring more junior team members, contributing to the growth and performance of the team.

   

• Providing technical oversight on training and communications to upskill design and delivery teams on ecological subjects.

   

• Undertaking business development activities whilst also promoting our MGES service offering through internal & external engagement.

What you’ll bring

• Demonstrable design / pre-construction and construction / delivery experience in a similar role with a proven track record of delivering effective desk- and site-based ecological consultancy services within infrastructure sectors.

   

   

• Experience of leading and developing teams, including mentoring, training and managing ecologists and technical colleagues.

• Excellent knowledge of ecological principles, UK legislation, policy and guidance, including Health & Safety requirements relating to delivery of ecological services.

   

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment whilst leading a team, and managing competing priorities relating to both short- and long-term commissions through effective communication.

   

• Proficient in a range of habitat and protected species surveys, including UK Habitat Classification and BNG condition assessments.

   

   

• Evidence of leading successful Habitats Regulations Assessments, SSSI Assent applications, and licensable ecological support activities.

• Practical examples of improving service offerings, systems and processes and delivering other efficiencies and innovations within an ecological consultancy setting.

• Valid UK driving license and prepared to undertake site-based work 2 days/week on average and work from office locations with your team regularly. Willingness to travel across the UK to client offices / sites and stay away from home for short periods as the role requires.

   

• Professional membership of CIEEM (or equivalent), with chartered status desirable.

   

• Proficient in the use of GIS and other digital tools.

• Holder of general, class, and/or mitigation/individual ecological licence(s) from Natural England, NatureScot and/or Natural Resources Wales.

• Proven ability to collaborate with clients, planning authorities, regulators, and stakeholders.

• Skilled in desk research, data handling, report writing, technical reviews, and project management.

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).

In addition, this role offers;

• Company car and fuel card with a range of EV and hybrid vehicles to choose from
• My Car Choice our salary sacrifice EV/ Hybrid car scheme
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Recommend a friend – get rewarded for introducing people to us!
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Personal Accident Cover

About us

We want to be an employer of choice and a great place to work, attracting diverse and talented people, who join us and make a difference. We are one of the Top 100 UK companies actively supporting and recruiting army veterans. Our ENABLE inclusion networks bring together people who have a shared passion, to help create an environment wh