Location
Croydon, with flexible hybrid working options across UK and Ireland offices including Basingstoke, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol, Leeds, Birmingham, Cambridge and Dublin.

Hours
Full Time - Flexible hybrid working model

Salary
Competitive salary package (not specified)

About the Role
Join AECOM’s dynamic Nature team as a Principal Marine Ecologist and apply your expertise on national and international projects across diverse sectors including power and infrastructure schemes, floating offshore wind, interconnectors, habitat restoration, flood defence, and coastal developments such as marinas, jetties, slipways, wharfs, and ports. You will work closely with marine and aquatic ecologists and marine EIA specialists to support and grow the marine ecology team and portfolio of high-profile projects. This client-facing role involves technical project delivery, business development, and reporting to the Marine Ecology Lead. You will provide expert marine ecological and consenting advice, lead marine ecology impact assessments including Environmental Statements (ES) and associated assessments (HRA, MCZ, WFD), and support licence and permitting applications. Your role requires a critical eye for quality, excellent communication skills to tailor complex scientific information, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams including underwater acoustics, coastal processes, water scientists, marine archaeologists, and EIA colleagues. You will contribute to business development through proposals, presentations, and client liaison, manage projects effectively including resources, budgets, and subcontractors, and mentor junior team members to foster a supportive environment. Enjoy career development opportunities, flexible working, technical networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days as part of AECOM’s commitment to your growth and well-being.

Experience
- Comprehensive marine ecological expertise with experience preparing and reviewing specialist technical chapters and impact assessments including EIA, HRA, MCZ, and WFD.
- Detailed understanding of UK marine consenting and licensing regimes with experience liaising with regulatory bodies such as MMO, NRW, Scottish MD, and The Crown Estate.
- Proven ability to provide technical advice and apply advanced scientific practices across diverse marine projects.
- Experience in team coordination, including line management and mentoring junior staff.
- Business development experience including preparing tenders and client presentations.

About you
Confident, client-focused professional with excellent communication skills, able to tailor complex scientific information for varied audiences. Collaborative team player with a commitment to quality and continuous improvement. Enthusiastic about mentoring and developing others. Adaptable to hybrid working and motivated to contribute to a growing marine ecology team.

Qualifications
Relevant scientific qualifications in marine ecology or related disciplines. Project management skills or willingness to undertake AECOM accredited Project Management training. Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and a proactive approach to professional development.