Location
Croydon (Hybrid working model with options to work from home and other UK&I offices including Manchester, Leeds, Basingstoke, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Cardiff, Nottingham, Bristol and Liverpool)

Hours
Full Time - Flexible hybrid working to suit role and lifestyle

Salary
Competitive salary and benefits package (details not specified)

About the Role
Join AECOM’s dynamic Nature team as a Technical Director in Ecology and help shape the future of environmental consultancy across the UK and Ireland. You will lead and provide technical direction on ecological inputs for a diverse portfolio of projects, including large infrastructure schemes in energy, water, renewables, defence, and transport sectors, alongside smaller local projects. Your expertise in ecological assessments and project management will ensure delivery of high-quality outcomes on time and within budget, meeting the standards expected by AECOM, clients, and the ecology profession.

As a key member of the UK&I ecology leadership team, you will influence the strategic direction of the team and its work. Your role will balance client engagement, project delivery, work winning, and mentoring colleagues. You will lead the planning and delivery of ecological assessments such as Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Protected Species Baseline Reports, Ecological Impact Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments, and Biodiversity Net Gain calculations.

Responsibilities include providing technical leadership to develop pragmatic solutions, managing ecology inputs on large projects, leading consultations with clients and stakeholders including planning authorities and statutory bodies, and driving innovation and research within the team. You will also lead bids and tenders for ecological services and mentor junior staff and peers.

AECOM offers a supportive environment with internal and external training, mentoring, and coaching opportunities. Join a team of around 150 ecology professionals, including national and global leaders, working collaboratively to deliver sustainable environmental outcomes and positive community impact.

At AECOM, you will thrive in an inclusive, forward-thinking culture that values your contributions and supports your career growth through flexible working, career development, technical networks, and wellbeing programs.

Experience
- Proven experience leading and managing biodiversity assessments for major planning applications and Development Consent Order (DCO) submissions
- Strong project management skills including budget management, stakeholder engagement, and bid/tender preparation
- Experience reviewing and verifying technical ecological work and supporting team members
- Excellent knowledge of biodiversity legislation, policy, and ecological reporting standards

About you
- A confident technical leader and client-facing professional with the ability to mentor and inspire colleagues
- Passionate about innovation and delivering pragmatic, high-quality ecological solutions
- Collaborative team player with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse working environment

Qualifications
- Degree or equivalent qualification in ecology or a related subject
- Membership of a relevant professional institution and working towards or holding Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Environmentalist status