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

Hours
Flexible hybrid working model

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Join AECOM’s dynamic Nature team as a Principal Ecologist and help shape the future of the environment. You will lead and support the delivery of high-quality ecological consultancy and advisory services to internal and external clients. Your responsibilities will include planning, scheduling, and organising all phases of ecological project work, ensuring resources, budgets, and controls meet programme requirements. You will develop technically robust and pragmatic solutions to complex ecological issues, lead the production of ecology chapters for environmental statements and protected species licence applications, and author or technically review project deliverables to ensure high-quality outputs. You will also support the continued development of our technical capabilities.

Work on a diverse portfolio of projects across power and renewables, infrastructure, environment, and transport sectors, collaborating with disciplines such as landscape, GIS, engineering, sustainability, and drainage. Recent projects include some of the largest solar farms in the UK, energy transition initiatives, habitats regulations assessments, and masterplanning for new residential developments.

Become part of a team of around 230 professionals specialising in arboriculture, forestry, groundwater, surface water, and ecology, including national and global leaders. Thrive in an inclusive, forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued. Enjoy career development opportunities, technical practice networks, AECOM University, volunteering days, and a flexible hybrid working model that supports 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 to push the limits of what’s possible in ecological consultancy.
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion, valuing unique contributions and perspectives.

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