Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. Our values shape the way we consult and define the people we want to join us on our journey. This role is responsible for leading and coordinating ecology, biodiversity and statutory Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) services across projects. You will act as the technical authority, ensuring delivery is compliant and aligned with planning, legal and client requirements.

Key Responsibilities
Ecology and biodiversity services: Overall accountability for ecology and biodiversity data across projects, including statutory biodiversity metrics, habitat condition assessments and BNG performance throughout the project lifecycle. Provide technical assurance of all ecology outputs, including QA of Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), UKHab mapping, BNG metrics, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans (HMMPs), Biodiversity Gain Plans and planning submissions. Set service excellence standards to ensure outputs are consistent, defensible and aligned with industry guidance (CIEEM, DEFRA, Natural England). Develop delivery strategies and support fee proposals, including defining scope and challenging inefficiencies, cost risks or over-scoped work. Drive digital innovation, including GIS-enabled tools for ecological screening, BNG assessments and data integration. Integrate wider nature-based metrics (BNG, EBN, UGF and ecosystem services) to inform design, reporting and sustainability outcomes.

Team leadership and collaboration: Manage and mentor ecology team members, including technical development in statutory metric application, condition assessment and planning compliance. Work closely with landscape, sustainability and design teams to embed ecology early and influence layout, red line boundaries, landscape strategy and cost planning. Maintain strong links across internal nature and sustainability teams to ensure consistency and sharing of best practice.

Project and account oversight: Ensure appropriate ecology resourcing and technical capability is in place across all project stages. Act as the escalation point for ecology and BNG risks, identifying gaps between approved strategies and actual delivery. Advise on BNG strategy, planning risk, programme impacts and cost implications. Manage external consultants, including reviewing proposals, onboarding and ensuring proportionate, evidence-led delivery. Undertake and oversee site visits, walkovers and construction-stage inspections to verify habitat baselines, monitor delivery and provide technical assurance. Support construction-stage ecology delivery (e.g. Ecological Clerk of Works advisory input, compliance with planning conditions and ecological method statements). Verify that biodiversity measures (BNG, landscape strategies, HMMPs) are delivered on site in line with approved designs and condition requirements. Support KPI reporting and contribute to digital reporting tools (e.g. Power BI). Develop and deliver training for internal teams and project managers to improve commissioning and understanding of ecology and BNG. Provide horizon scanning on policy, legislation and market trends (e.g. BNG, NSIPs, exemptions). Ensure legal compliance of BNG delivery mechanisms, including S106 agreements, conservation covenants and third-party land arrangements. Provide commercial and programme assurance by identifying cost risks and driving value through proportionate delivery.

Our Values
Safety first - Going home safe and well: We champion a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment, understanding the importance of wellbeing in every team.
Client focus - Deliver on our promise: We own the quality of deliverables, strategic outcomes and build long term relationships with our clients.
Integrity - Always do the right thing: We influence positive outcomes within our industry, while always aligning with our compliance obligations.
Create opportunity - For our people to excel: We champion a continuous improvement culture throughout all activities, inspiring our people and teams to develop.

Mace is an inclusive employer and welcomes interest from a diverse range of candidates. Even if you feel you do not fulfil all the criteria, please apply as you may still be the best candidate for this role or another role within our organisation. We are also open to discussing part time, flexible, and hybrid working options if suitable within the role.

Experience
Strong technical expertise in ecology and biodiversity, including the statutory biodiversity metric, habitat condition assessment and planning policy. Solid understanding of planning and BNG legislation and how this influences design and delivery. Proven leadership and collaboration skills across multidisciplinary teams. Commercial awareness, including the ability to manage scope, challenge costs and deliver value.

About you
Committed to delivering high-quality, compliant ecology and biodiversity services. Able to lead and mentor teams effectively. Comfortable working across multiple projects and stakeholders. Proactive in driving innovation and continuous improvement. Strong communicator with the ability to influence internal and external partners.

Qualifications
Membership of CIEEM (Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management) or working towards it, with a commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD).