Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Competitive salary package

About the Role
Ricardo Energy & Environment is a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company with over 100 years of engineering excellence. We are committed to creating a safe and sustainable world by delivering innovative cross-sector sustainable products and solutions. We are seeking a Principal Consultant with extensive experience leading aquatic ecology assessments and supporting surveys within the UK water industry.

In this role, you will lead and develop a team of aquatic ecologists, supporting and training junior staff. You will deliver expertise in aquatic ecology investigations across all project stages including bidding, feasibility, optioneering, field survey programming, detailed design, and assessment. You will contribute as a technical author or reviewer to consents such as Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA), Water Framework Directive (WFD), Drought Permits, and Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) assessments.

The role requires strong organisational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients to deliver projects on budget and on schedule. You will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of water and environmental experts including specialists in EIA, HRA, water resources, hydro-ecology, hydrology, geomorphology, water quality, and natural capital.

We offer a welcoming and inclusive workplace culture that values diversity and supports flexible working arrangements including home, office, or hybrid working. Wellbeing is central to our culture, enabling employees to flourish and reach their full potential.

Our benefits package includes 25 days' annual leave plus 8 flexible bank holidays, a competitive pension scheme, life assurance, professional subscriptions reimbursement, and a wide range of flexible benefits to support your physical and mental health.

Experience
- Extensive experience leading and reviewing aquatic ecology assessments and surveys within the UK water industry
- Proven ability to lead Ecological Impact Assessments and Habitats Regulations Assessments
- Strong knowledge of UK and EU wildlife legislation, planning policies, licensing requirements, and best practice survey techniques
- Experience in planning, coordinating, and analysing field surveys and ecological mitigation works
- Specialist knowledge in fisheries, macroinvertebrate, or macrophyte ecology is preferable
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce accurate technical reports and engage confidently with clients and stakeholders
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects and proposals concurrently

About you
- A self-starter with excellent team working and communication skills
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to multitask and handle several projects simultaneously
- Attention to detail and proven technical reviewing skills
- Flexible and adaptable to business needs
- Committed to supporting and developing junior staff within a busy team environment

Qualifications
- A first degree in a relevant environmental discipline, ideally complemented by a postgraduate degree
- In-depth understanding of Water Framework Directive assessments, particularly biological metrics and indices informing ecological status