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 commensurate with experience

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, wharf and port projects. You will work alongside 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.

Your responsibilities will include providing expert marine ecological and consenting advice, directing inputs across multiple workstreams, delivering marine ecology impact assessments (including ES chapters, HRA, MCZ, WFD), and supporting licence and permitting applications. You will ensure the highest quality standards in deliverables, tailoring complex scientific information for diverse audiences. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams including underwater acoustics, coastal processes, water scientists, marine archaeologists, and EIA colleagues will be key to improving environmental outcomes.

Additionally, you will contribute to business development through proposal preparation, client presentations, and marketing activities. Effective project management, including resource and budget oversight and subcontractor management, is essential. You will also mentor and develop junior team members, fostering a supportive environment for growth.

AECOM offers a range of personalised benefits, career development opportunities, and a flexible hybrid working model to support your work-life balance and professional growth.

Experience
- Comprehensive marine ecological expertise with experience preparing and reviewing specialist technical chapters and associated 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.
- Ability to provide advanced scientific advice and apply cutting-edge practices across diverse marine projects.
- Marine field survey experience (benthic, fish, shellfish, marine mammals) is advantageous.
- Experience coordinating teams, including line management and mentoring junior members.
- Proven business development skills including tender preparation and client presentations.

About you
Enthusiastic and confident in client-facing roles, with excellent communication and writing skills to convey complex scientific information clearly. A collaborative team player who thrives in multidisciplinary environments and is committed to delivering high-quality outcomes. Motivated to support team growth and development while driving business success.

Qualifications
Relevant degree or equivalent qualifications in marine ecology or related discipline. Project management skills with willingness to undertake AECOM’s accredited Project Management training. Commitment to continuous professional development and embracing diversity and inclusion in the workplace.