Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
Competitive remuneration package reflecting experience and skills

About the Role
Ricardo Energy & Environment, a member of WSP, is a global strategic, environmental, and engineering consulting company with over 100 years of engineering excellence. We are seeking a Principal Consultant with extensive experience leading aquatic ecology assessments and supporting surveys within the UK water industry. You will lead and develop a team of aquatic ecologists, supporting and training junior staff, and deliver expertise across all project stages including bidding, feasibility, optioneering, field survey programming, detailed design, and assessment. Your role will involve contributing to consents such as Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA), Water Framework Directive (WFD), Drought Permits, and Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) assessments as a technical author or reviewer. Strong organisational skills and the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients are essential 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. This role offers the opportunity to make a positive impact through innovative solutions that support communities in becoming safer and more sustainable.

Working Here
We foster a culture of inclusion where every voice matters. We support flexible working arrangements including home, office, or hybrid models to promote work-life balance. Wellbeing is central to our culture, enabling employees to flourish and reach their full potential.

Benefits
Our comprehensive benefits package includes 25 days annual leave plus 8 flexible bank holidays, a competitive pension scheme, life assurance, professional subscriptions reimbursement, and support for physical and mental health. We also offer a wide range of flexible benefits tailored to your lifestyle.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We believe a diverse workforce drives innovation and delivers the best consultancy service. We are recognised as a 'disability confident' employer and actively support an inclusive culture.

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 with Water Framework Directive assessments, particularly biological metrics and indices
- Skilled in planning and coordinating field surveys, analysing results, 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 organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and proposals concurrently

About You
- A self-starter with excellent team working and communication skills
- Detail-oriented with strong technical reviewing capabilities
- Flexible and adaptable to business needs
- Able to manage and support technical input into proposals effectively

Qualifications
- A first degree in a relevant environmental discipline, ideally complemented by a postgraduate degree