Location
Croydon (other locations including Cambridge, Basingstoke, Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Bristol, Dublin, and Cork may be considered)

Hours
Full Time - Flexible hybrid working model

Salary
Competitive salary and benefits package

About the Role
Are you ready to join a team of talented ecologists and shape the future of the environment? Join our dynamic Nature team as a Principal Ecologist and benefit from working within a growing, innovative business. At AECOM, we deliver an exceptional portfolio of ecology programs and projects through long-term partnerships with key clients across power and renewables, infrastructure, environment, and transport sectors. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including landscape, GIS, engineering, sustainability, and drainage specialists.

Your responsibilities will include leading and supporting the delivery of high-quality ecological consultancy and advisory services to internal and external clients, overseeing all phases of ecological project work with appropriate resource and budget management, and developing technically robust and pragmatic solutions to complex ecological challenges. You will lead or support the production of ecology chapters for environmental statements and protected species licence applications, author or technically review project deliverables to ensure high quality outputs, and contribute to the ongoing development of our technical capabilities.

Join a team of around 150 professional experts including national and global leaders in species licensing, impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, enhancement, and management. Thrive in an inclusive, forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued and supported by a flexible hybrid working model, career development opportunities, technical practice networks, and volunteering days.

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 to push the limits of what’s possible in ecological consultancy.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage complex projects and collaborate across disciplines.
- Committed to diversity and inclusion, valuing unique contributions and perspectives.

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