Location
Croydon (other locations including Newcastle, Manchester, Cambridge, Liverpool, Basingstoke, Leeds, Nottingham and St Albans 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 delivery of high-quality ecological consultancy and advisory services to internal and external clients across a diverse portfolio of projects in power and renewables, infrastructure, environment and transport sectors. Your work will include overseeing all phases of ecological project work, ensuring resources, budgets and controls meet programme requirements, and developing technically robust and pragmatic solutions to complex ecological challenges. You will lead the production of ecology chapters for environmental statements and protected species licence applications, author or technically check project deliverables, and support the continued development of technical capabilities within the team.

At AECOM, you will be part of a Nature business with around 240 experts in arboriculture, forestry, groundwater, surface water and ecology, including national and global leaders. The team covers a wide range of expertise from species licence holders to specialists in impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, enhancement and management. You will thrive in an inclusive, forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued and supported.

Enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, career development opportunities, technical practice networks, AECOM University, volunteering days, and a flexible hybrid working model 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
- A proactive and collaborative professional with strong leadership skills.
- Ability to develop pragmatic solutions to complex ecological issues.
- Committed to fostering an inclusive and innovative working environment.

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.