Location
UK-wide / Home-based with regular travel to sites

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£50,000–£55,000 per annum (Dependent on Experience)

About the Role
Green Earth Developments Group (GEDG) creates and manages habitat banks and nature-led projects that deliver real, measurable biodiversity outcomes. Sitting at the intersection of ecology, planning, and delivery, GEDG helps developments meet Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) requirements while restoring nature at scale. As mandatory BNG reshapes the market, GEDG is expanding its in-house ecology capability and seeks a senior, experienced Principal Ecologist to lead this journey.

This is a hands-on, senior ecology role for someone confident with BNG, the Metric, and real-world decision-making. You will act as an internal technical lead, supporting delivery teams day-to-day, handling complex or time-critical ecological trades, and working collaboratively to ensure robust, high-quality ecological inputs across an expanding portfolio of projects.

Initially, you will work closely with the team to support day-to-day ecological queries, complete ecological trades, monitor and QA-check BNG quotes, manage GEDG's supply of habitat units, assist with annual ecological monitoring of registered habitat banks, and help roll out and manage ecological GIS systems.

Over time, the role will evolve to include delivering baseline ecological assessments, designing future habitat banks as part of a cross-specialisation team, writing management plans, managing junior ecological roles, undertaking Ecological Clerk of Works duties, and conducting soil sampling and monitoring on habitat banks.

Experience
- Strong knowledge and confident use of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and the Metric
- Solid understanding of ecological trades, including unusual or time-sensitive trades
- Experience with habitat surveying and condition assessments
- Proficient in GIS systems for ecological data collection
- Good understanding of ecological-planning law, rules, and the planning interface

About you
- Senior-level ecologist with hands-on experience and technical leadership skills
- Able to work collaboratively across teams and manage complex ecological inputs
- Comfortable with regular travel to project sites across the UK
- Motivated to contribute to nature restoration at scale and support biodiversity outcomes

Qualifications
- Relevant ecological or environmental science qualifications (degree or equivalent)
- Professional accreditation or membership with a relevant ecological body is desirable