Location
Central London (with opportunities across UK offices including Manchester, Leeds, Basingstoke, Newcastle, Croydon, Birmingham, Cambridge, Nottingham and Liverpool; other UK locations may be considered)

Hours
Full Time - Flexible hybrid working model available

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Join AECOM's dynamic Nature team as an Associate Director - Ecology and help shape the future of the environment. You will lead ecological inputs on a diverse range of projects including large infrastructure developments in energy, water, renewables, defence, and transport sectors, as well as smaller local projects. The role offers opportunities to work on national and international projects, applying innovative survey techniques, managing projects, delivering Habitats Regulations Assessments, and supporting Biodiversity Net Gain initiatives. You will provide technical leadership, lead client and stakeholder consultations, produce and review ecological assessments, and contribute to business development through bids and tenders. Mentoring and coaching junior staff and peers is a key part of this role. AECOM offers a supportive environment with internal and external training, a nurturing mentoring framework, and a culture that encourages innovation and research. Join a team of around 240 ecology professionals across the UK and Ireland, including national and global leaders in species licensing, impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, and management. Thrive in an inclusive, forward-thinking workplace with personalised benefits, career development opportunities, and a flexible hybrid working model designed to support your work-life balance and well-being.

Experience
Demonstrable experience in planning and delivering ecological services on projects within the UK or Ireland; excellent field skills in at least one specialist area including protected species licences; experience mentoring and supporting ecology team members; proactive approach to Health and Safety.

About you
Committed to delivering pragmatic and proportionate ecological solutions; strong leadership and communication skills to engage with clients, planning authorities, statutory bodies, and the public; passionate about innovation and embedding research within ecological practice; motivated to contribute to technical capability development and business growth.

Qualifications
Membership of an appropriate professional institution (such as CIEEM) with evidence of working towards Chartership or equivalent; relevant ecological or environmental qualifications; willingness to continue professional development and training.