Senior Ecology Manager

Overview

As Senior Ecology Manager, you will steer ecology and biodiversity delivery across construction, aligning ecological outcomes with the programme’s objectives. You will shape biodiversity net gain, habitat creation and long-term management, and oversee protected species licensing and site ecology on construction works. You’ll provide technical assurance of contractor deliverables, manage the Ecological Clerk of Works on site, and engage with regulators, partners and stakeholders. This is a high-impact role that combines specialist ecology with project delivery in a major infrastructure programme.

Pay / Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Up to 12% employer pension contribution
• 36 days annual leave (plus buy-up)
• Volunteer days
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Learning and development opportunities

Responsibilities

• Contribute to biodiversity net gain delivery by securing on-site and off-site units and ensuring habitat management meets targets.
• Manage protected species licensing and mitigation, including European Protected Species licences and Habitats Regulations Assessment support.
• Provide technical assurance of ecology deliverables and oversee the Ecological Clerk of Works on site to ensure compliance during construction.
• Represent EWR Co at conferences and events, communicating ecological management activities externally and internally.
• Uphold health and safety principles and maintain a cost-conscious approach in decision making.
• Demonstrate innovation and act as a role model in line with EWR Co’s Ways of Working and behaviours.

Key requirements

• A career as a suitably qualified ecologist with experience in biodiversity net gain and ecological mitigation on major infrastructure or construction projects.
• Knowledge of the statutory biodiversity metric and the preparation of biodiversity gain plans.
• Experience in developing and delivering biodiversity net gain strategies, including commercial acquisition of units.
• Background in protected species survey, licensing and mitigation, including European Protected Species licences.
• Site-based ecology experience on construction sites, acting as or managing an Ecological Clerk of Works.
• Experience securing and managing long-term biodiversity assets with 30-year management and monitoring.
• GIS proficiency (ArcGIS or QGIS) and ability to translate ecological concepts for non-specialists and regulators.
• Valid CSCS card.
• Desirable: degree in ecology or related subject; professional memberships (e.g., CEcol, CIWEM, IEMA, IES); additional protected species licences; knowledge of NSIP or DCO regimes.

• Stakeholder engagement and communication with non-specialists and regulators.
• Collaboration and teamwork across multidisciplinary teams.
• Problem solving and a bias for innovative, practical solutions.
• Biodiversity net gain modelling and strategy delivery
• Protected species licensing and mitigation (including European Protected Species licences)
• Ecological Clerk of Works on construction sites

…