Location
Croydon (Other locations considered: Cambridge, Basingstoke, Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Dublin, Cork)

Hours
Full Time - Flexible hybrid working model

Salary
Competitive salary, commensurate with experience

About the Role
Join AECOM’s dynamic Nature team as a Principal Ecologist and play a key role in shaping the future of the environment. You will lead and support the delivery of high-quality ecological consultancy and advisory services to both internal and external clients across a diverse portfolio of projects in power and renewables, infrastructure, environment, and transport sectors. You will oversee planning, scheduling, and organisation of all phases of ecological project work, ensuring resources, budgets, and controls meet programme requirements. Your expertise will support the development of technically robust and pragmatic solutions to complex ecological issues, including authoring and reviewing ecology chapters for environmental statements and protected species licence applications. You will contribute to the continued development of technical capabilities within the team and collaborate with other disciplines such as landscape, GIS, engineering, sustainability, and drainage. Recent projects include some of the largest solar farms in the UK, cable tunnels beneath the River Thames, electricity network upgrades, habitats regulations assessments, and masterplanning for new residential developments. At AECOM, you will thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment with access to career development opportunities, technical practice networks, AECOM University, volunteering days, and a flexible hybrid working model designed to support your work-life balance.

Experience
- Proven experience leading and managing ecological surveys, licensing, and impact assessments
- Demonstrated ability in work-winning, project management, budget oversight, and leading stakeholder discussions
- Experience reviewing technical work and supporting wider team members

About you
Motivated and collaborative ecologist with strong leadership skills, able to deliver high-quality consultancy services and develop pragmatic solutions to complex ecological challenges. You thrive in a dynamic, inclusive environment and are committed to professional growth and technical excellence.

Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent in ecology or a related subject
- Membership of an appropriate professional institution, working towards or holding Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Environmentalist status
- Holder of protected species survey and/or mitigation licences