Ecology Team Lead
<p><strong>Your new company</strong><br />You will be joining a well-established and growing multidisciplinary consultancy delivering environmentally-led planning and design solutions across the UK. The organisation works across a diverse portfolio including residential, infrastructure, renewable energy, and mixed-use developments.<br />With a strong national presence and a collaborative culture, the business offers integrated services across disciplines such as ecology, planning, environmental assessment, engineering, and sustainability. The company is known for its commitment to innovation, high-quality delivery, and professional development.<br /><br /><strong>Your new role</strong><br />As a Senior Ecology Lead, you will play a pivotal role in the leadership and growth of the ecology function across the North of England. This is a strategic position combining technical excellence, client engagement, team leadership, and business development.You will take ownership of regional delivery, ensuring high-quality outputs across complex multidisciplinary projects, while also driving the expansion of the ecology offering.<br />Key responsibilities will include:</p> <ul> <li>Leading, mentoring and developing a regional ecology team</li><li>Providing technical leadership across key areas including EcIA, HRA and BNG</li><li>Managing and delivering ecological input into large-scale, complex projects</li><li>Building and maintaining strong client relationships as a trusted advisor</li><li>Identifying and driving new business opportunities</li><li>Supporting tender submissions, bids and framework opportunities</li><li>Ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and to a high standard</li><li>Acting as an expert witness where required</li><li>Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated solutions</li><li>Representing the organisation at industry events and forums</li></ul> <p><br /><strong>What you'll need to succeed</strong><br />To be successful in this role, you will have:</p> <ul> <li>A degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline</li><li>Extensive experience within ecological consultancy</li><li>Proven experience in a senior or leadership role</li><li>Strong technical expertise in EcIA, HRA, and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)</li><li>A track record of delivering large-scale or complex projects (infrastructure, energy or major developments)</li><li>Experience managing teams, resources and project financials</li><li>Strong client-facing and stakeholder engagement skills</li><li>Excellent report writing and technical review capabilities</li><li>Good knowledge of UK planning policy and environmental legislation</li><li>Full membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. CIEEM)</li><li>A full UK driving licence</li></ul> <p><br />Desirable:</p> <ul> <li>Protected species licences</li><li>Experience with nationally significant infrastructure projects</li><li>Expert witness experience</li><li>Strong commercial awareness and business development exposure</li><li>Experience working within a multidisciplinary environment</li></ul> <p><br /><strong>What you'll get in return</strong><br /><br /></p> <ul> <li>Competitive salary and benefits package</li><li>Flexible and hybrid working arrangements</li><li>Generous annual leave entitlement</li><li>Company pension and life assurance</li><li>Structured career progression framework</li><li>Ongoing CPD and professional development support</li><li>Professional membership subscriptions</li><li>Performance-related bonus scheme</li></ul> <p><br />Additional benefits after probation may include:</p> <ul> <li>Private healthcare</li><li>Gym membership contributions</li><li>Retail and lifestyle discounts</li><li>Employee assistance programme</li><li>Cycle to work scheme</li><li>Additional long-service benefits</li></ul> <p><br /><strong>What you need to do now</strong><br /><br />If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.<br />If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.</p> <p>Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk</p>