Location
St Ives, Abingdon, Leeds, London, Southampton, UK

Hours
Hybrid role with approximately 2–3 days per week office-based. Regular travel to client sites and other office locations across the region is required. Flexibility may be needed depending on project demands, including occasional overnight stays.

Salary
Competitive salary commensurate with experience

About the Role
Tetra Tech is seeking a Principal Ecologist to deliver high-impact ecological solutions across renewable energy, residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects throughout England. This role offers the opportunity to lead projects ranging from onshore wind and solar to major offshore wind developments, supporting the transition to a lower-carbon future while contributing to a diverse portfolio of development work. You will manage a portfolio of approximately 6–10 projects simultaneously, ensuring delivery in line with UK legislation, planning policy, and ecological best practice. Responsibilities include authoring and peer reviewing ecological reports, leading stakeholder engagement, managing project finances, and delivering pragmatic ecological outcomes for clients. You will also play a key role in mentoring junior team members and supporting their professional development within a collaborative and ambitious environment.

Your Impact in This Position
You will influence the quality, consistency, and commercial success of ecological work across a major portfolio of projects. Your expertise will shape project outcomes through robust ecological assessment, practical mitigation, and effective negotiation with regulators and stakeholders. Additionally, you will contribute to team capability by mentoring junior ecologists, providing in-house training, and fostering professional growth within the team.

Core Capabilities
- Technical expertise in delivering ecological solutions for major infrastructure and development/regeneration projects
- Familiarity with planning frameworks including the National Planning Policy Framework, Biodiversity Net Gain guidance, Nature Recovery Network, and local biodiversity strategies
- Proven project management skills including fee proposals, tenders, invoicing, and maintaining quality and deadlines
- Innovative approach to ecology with interest in nature-based design, ecological resilience, and design integration
- Experience leading stakeholder engagement and negotiation with Natural England, County Ecologists, Local Authority planning officers, and other stakeholders
- Strong team leadership and development skills, including mentoring and line management of junior ecologists

Experience
- Strong track record in ecological solutions for major infrastructure and development projects
- Competence in UK Habitat Classification and habitat condition assessments
- Ability to design and complete a range of ecology surveys and interpret findings for robust assessments
- Experience designing and delivering ecological mitigation, including protected species licensing and Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) duties
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including financial management and client liaison
- Experience engaging with regulators and stakeholders to achieve positive project outcomes

About You
- Sound knowledge of the UK planning system and relevant environmental legislation
- Forward-thinking and innovative approach to ecological challenges
- Strong communication and negotiation skills
- Ability to mentor and support junior team members
- Willingness to travel regularly to sites across the region, including occasional overnight stays
- Full UK driving licence, insured for business purposes

Qualifications
- Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Ecology or a closely related field (beneficial)
- CIEEM membership (beneficial)
- At least one protected species survey licence, with great crested newt and bat licences highly desirable
- FISC Level 4 qualification highly desirable but not essential
- Equivalent relevant work experience may be considered