Location
Croydon or London, UK

Hours
Full Time

About the Role
Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. We deliver impactful projects across diverse industries, driven by our people’s expertise and passion. As a proudly employee-owned business, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone is empowered to be their best.

Our Environment and Social division provides essential ecological services and innovative solutions across all sectors. We are leading the way in Nature Services, integrating nature into developments to build a better future. Our Ecology Team is known for high standards, pioneering biodiversity net gain (BNG) guidance and training, and delivering nature-based solutions for water treatment, flood management, and landscape-scale planning.

The Croydon Ecology Team consists of 8 members working on a diverse portfolio including flood defence schemes, BNG strategies and implementation, specialist species surveys, and key infrastructure projects such as the Lower Thames Crossing. The team is well connected with other regional teams and benefits from a wide range of ecological skills and licences.

As Principal Ecologist and Regional Deputy Team Lead, you will primarily be office-based with some site involvement in your technical areas. You will support staff wellbeing, mentoring, and career development for the Croydon and Reading teams, line managing some members. Working closely with the Regional Lead and UK Ecology Team Leader, you will help manage team utilisation, recruitment, training, and communications through regular briefings.

Your projects will span all stages of the project lifecycle, offering opportunities to influence design, promote best practice, and deliver positive environmental outcomes. This role suits a dynamic, proactive team player eager to contribute to a growing business area and support ecology service delivery in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.

Experience
- Over seven years' experience in Ecological Consultancy or equivalent with transferable skills
- Proven project management skills
- Experience in people management is desirable
- Experience preparing costs and text for bids is advantageous
- Willingness to travel throughout the UK

About you
- Strong communicator able to engage with multi-disciplinary teams, clients, and regulators
- Proactive, dynamic team player with leadership capabilities
- Committed to high standards and continuous professional development

Qualifications
- Degree in Ecology or a directly related subject; higher degree advantageous
- Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) or equivalent
- Chartered Environmentalist, Chartered Ecologist, or Chartered Biologist status (or able to achieve within 6 months)
- Technical specialism such as protected species mitigation licences or advanced botanical skills
- Level 1 and 2 Bat Licence is desirable