Location
Liverpool (Other UK & Ireland offices including Manchester, Leeds, Basingstoke, Newcastle, Glasgow, Belfast, Cambridge, Nottingham, Bristol, and Liverpool; other UK locations may be considered)

Hours
Full Time - Hybrid working model offering flexibility between office, remote, and client site work

Salary
Competitive salary with a comprehensive benefits package tailored to support your lifestyle and well-being

About the Role
Join AECOM’s dynamic Nature team as an Associate Director - Ecology and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the environment. You will lead ecological inputs on a diverse range of projects across energy, water, renewables, defence, and transport sectors, working on both large infrastructure and smaller local projects. Your responsibilities will include planning and delivering ecological services, producing and reviewing ecological assessments such as Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Protected Species Baseline Reports, Ecological Impact Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments, and Biodiversity Net Gain Calculations. You will provide technical leadership to develop pragmatic solutions, lead client and stakeholder consultations, and contribute to the growth of technical capabilities through innovation and research. Additionally, you will lead bids and tenders for ecological services and mentor junior staff and peers within a supportive, inclusive environment. AECOM offers extensive internal and external training opportunities within a nurturing mentoring and coaching framework, alongside a flexible hybrid working model to support your work-life balance. Become part of a global team of over 50,000 professionals dedicated to delivering projects that create positive, tangible impacts worldwide.

Experience
- Demonstrable experience in planning and delivery of ecological services on projects in the UK or Ireland
- Excellent field skills in at least one specialist area including any protected species licences
- Proven ability to lead ecological assessments and deliver proportionate, pragmatic solutions
- Experience mentoring and supporting ecology team members

About you
- Proactive approach to Health and Safety
- Strong leadership and communication skills with the ability to engage clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams
- Passionate about innovation and embedding research in ecological practice
- Committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse working environment

Qualifications
- Membership of an appropriate professional institution such as CIEEM or related, with evidence of working towards Chartership
- Well-developed understanding of relevant wildlife conservation legislation and best practice