Location
Various locations across the United Kingdom - Hybrid working model with semi-remote flexibility.

Hours
Full Time

About the Role
Join Thomson Environmental Consultants and help shape a future where nature and business thrive together. We are a fast-growing, innovative environmental consultancy delivering exceptional outcomes across terrestrial and freshwater ecology, hydrology, marine science, GIS, habitat management, arboriculture, and environmental impact assessment.

We are seeking a Technical Specialist to lead and grow our dynamic Water Team. This key leadership role combines technical expertise, team leadership, and business development to deliver complex aquatic projects and shape the future of our water services. You will work closely with clients and colleagues to provide best-practice advice, ensure compliance with legislation and policy, and support the successful delivery of high-quality environmental outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:
- Manage team workloads, performance, training, and development
- Provide technical oversight, mentoring, and internal training
- Lead and deliver large, complex hydro-ecological projects
- Provide expert guidance on legislation, policy, and best practice
- Review and approve technical reports and deliverables
- Oversee budgets, forecasting, and team financial performance
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to a high standard
- Win new work through bids, tenders, and client engagement
- Build and maintain strong client relationships
- Support marketing and PR activities to promote water services

Example Projects & Deliverables:
- Field and survey work including ecological appraisals and ecological clerk of works
- Macroinvertebrate and water quality monitoring
- Fish population and habitat surveys, eDNA and invasive non-native species (INNS) surveys
- River habitat surveys, flow gauging, and water level monitoring
- Environmental assessments including nutrient neutrality, Water Framework Directive (WFD), Habitats Regulations Assessments (HRA), Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), marine licensing, and flood risk permitting

Experience
- Proven experience in environmental consultancy
- Background in aquatic ecology, hydro-ecology, or related disciplines
- Track record of winning work and building strong client relationships
- Technical expertise in hydro-ecological survey techniques, legislation, and policy
- Experience delivering high-quality reports and assessments

About You
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Ability to manage people, budgets, and multiple projects simultaneously
- Proactive, collaborative, and solutions-focused approach
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle with business insurance

Qualifications
Relevant qualifications in aquatic ecology, hydrology, or environmental science are expected to support your expertise and leadership in this role.