Location
Leeds or Nottingham office

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
At BWB Consulting, we’re more than engineers – we’re trusted partners, innovators, and problem-solvers. Recognised as ACE Best Large Consultancy of the Year 2022 and proudly accredited with Investors in People and Investors in Wellbeing, our award-winning culture is built on excellence, collaboration, and sustainability. We push boundaries to deliver exceptional results for our clients and create meaningful impact for the communities we serve.

BWB Consulting has an exciting opportunity for an Associate Director (Ecology) to be based in our Nottingham or Leeds office. We are looking for an experienced and commercially aware ecologist with a strong technical background and a proven track record in consultancy. This role combines technical leadership, team management, and business development, offering the chance to play a key role in shaping and growing our ecology services.

Given the nature of our project work, holding a Natural England Class 2 Bat Licence (and being able to hold EPS licences) is essential. You will act as one of our key bat specialists, providing technical leadership and oversight on bat-related projects. You will lead and manage a diverse portfolio of projects across the UK, delivering high-quality, practical, and innovative ecological advice to clients.

Working as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary environmental team, you will support the growth of the ecology service, help build strong client relationships, and identify new opportunities.

Key responsibilities include:
- Leading and delivering complex ecological projects from inception to completion
- Providing technical oversight and quality assurance, particularly on bat-related work
- Managing project teams, resources, and budgets to ensure successful delivery
- Supporting business development activities, including bid preparation and client engagement
- Mentoring and supporting team members to develop a strong, capable team
- Contributing to the wider growth and direction of the environmental team

A key part of BWB’s approach is delivering high-quality, commercially sound, and innovative ecological solutions that meet client needs and regulatory requirements. Our work is varied and nationwide, involving coordination and leadership of projects across BWB offices.

Experience
Typically 6+ years within ecological consultancy with proven experience leading projects and engaging with clients. Strong bat expertise is essential, including:
- Holding a Natural England Class 2 Bat Licence (essential)
- Ability to hold (or already hold) EPS licences for bats
- Proven experience leading bat surveys, mitigation, and licensing work

Ideally experienced in:
- BREEAM Land Use and Ecology assessments
- Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
- Nitrogen deposition and impacts on designated sites
- Public Inquiry support

About you
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to manage workloads and deliver projects to time, quality, and budget. Commercial awareness including financial and client management. Leadership skills with the ability to support and develop others.

Qualifications
Full membership of CIEEM. A degree or Master’s in Ecology or a related discipline. A full UK driving licence.