Location
Central London (Fully home working with site visits and meetings as required). Candidate ideally based in the south-east of the UK, including London, the home counties, southern and midlands regions.

Hours
Full Time (minimum 4 days a week considered - pro rata)

Salary
£40,000 per annum (commensurate with skills and experience)

About the Role
HCUK Group Ltd is seeking a Senior Ecologist to join our small, evolving multi-disciplinary environmental consultancy. This role combines project management and fieldwork to support clients navigating the planning and development process. You will lead and manage ecological assessments, habitat surveys, and ecological impact assessments through a network of subcontractors as well as direct involvement. Fieldwork includes protected species surveys, with a specialism in bat surveys, UK Habitat Classification, and producing Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), mitigation strategies, and Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments.
Our portfolio is varied and interesting, with crossover into heritage, landscape, planning, and archaeology sectors, covering mixed-use, residential, commercial developments, and renewables. The role offers the opportunity to grow your own portfolio within a supportive, friendly environment. The position is fully home-based except for site visits and meetings. Projects are nationwide but primarily focused in London, the home counties, and southern and midlands regions. HCUK Group operates without a physical office but holds quarterly meetings and social events in London.
You will be responsible for ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and planning policies, growing and maintaining our ecology subcontractor framework, client liaison, tendering, business development, and marketing involvement. This is a great opportunity to develop your career within a well-regarded consultancy and help shape the ecology offering within the business.

Experience
- At least 3 years’ experience in commercial ecological consultancy.
- Proven project management and delivery experience.
- Proficient in ecological surveying techniques, data analysis, and report writing, especially PEA, bat surveys, and BNG assessments.
- Experience managing delivery of ecology projects through subcontractors.
- Good understanding of UK wildlife legislation, planning regulations, and environmental best practice.
- Experience working with bat surveys and protected species scoping.
- Track record of involvement with bat EPS licences (desirable).
- Experience in client liaison and business development.

About you
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build strong relationships.
- Highly organised with a proactive approach and ability to manage varied workloads.
- Able to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
- Attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work.
- Ability to manage subcontractors and meet tight deadlines.
- Enthusiastic about growing and developing within the role and company.

Qualifications
- Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or related discipline.
- Full membership of CIEEM.
- Level 2 Licensed Bat Ecologist preferred, or Level 1 with commitment to progress to Level 2.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Eligibility to work in the UK.
- Desirable: Accredited Agent or Ecologist named on bat EPS licences, specialism in botany, master’s degree or PhD, GIS capability (support provided).