Location
Epsom/London office, with hybrid working options available.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Competitive salary, commensurate with experience

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Senior or Principal Ecologist to join our London and Southeast Ecology Practice at AtkinsRéalis. You will be part of a team of over 140 ecologists working across the UK on diverse, award-winning projects that benefit clients, biodiversity, and society. Our ecology team is recognized for innovation and excellence, having won the inaugural CIEEM Large-Scale Consultancy of the Year Award in 2018 and consistently receiving commendations since.

You will lead nationally important infrastructure projects, managing programmes and budgets, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and engaging stakeholders. Your responsibilities will include planning and undertaking field surveys, analysing and interpreting results, designing and coordinating ecological mitigation, authoring and reviewing ecological reports and licence applications, and mentoring early career staff. You will also manage work enquiries, prepare bids, build client relationships, and support the development of ecological work portfolios in the Southern region and UK-wide.

At AtkinsRéalis, we promote innovative nature-based solutions, biodiversity net gain, and are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. Flexible working and a healthy work/life balance are core to our culture. Joining us means contributing to nationally significant projects with a focus on biodiversity enhancements, innovation, and knowledge sharing.

Experience
- Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) or equivalent, with chartership (CEcol or CEnv). AtkinsRéalis covers membership costs.
- Demonstrable project management experience including technical, financial, and quality assurance aspects.
- Strong botanical skills, including Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) level 4+ or equivalent botanical ability.
- Strong working knowledge of UK Habitat survey, habitat condition assessments, and the Defra Biodiversity Metric.
- Experience undertaking Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
- Proven skills in report writing, including Preliminary Ecological Assessments, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Chapters for EIAs, and Habitats Regulations Assessments.
- Experience in quality assurance and technical lead roles.
- Experience working on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects and familiarity with the Development Consent Order (DCO) process is advantageous.
- Protected species survey licence(s).
- Full, clean UK driving licence.

About you
Enthusiastic and motivated ecologist with a passion for delivering high-quality ecological advice and solutions. You are collaborative, innovative, and committed to promoting biodiversity and nature-based solutions. You value diversity and inclusion and thrive in a flexible working environment.

Qualifications
A degree in ecology or a closely related field is desirable but not essential.