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

Hours
Full Time - Flexible hybrid working arrangements

Salary
Competitive salary and benefits package

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 the planning and delivery of ecological inputs on a diverse portfolio of projects spanning energy, water, renewables, defence, and transport sectors. Your role will balance client engagement, project management, technical leadership, and team mentoring. You will be instrumental in delivering high-quality ecological assessments including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Protected Species Baseline Reports, Ecological Impact Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments, and Biodiversity Net Gain calculations.

As a key member of the ecology leadership team, you will influence the strategic direction of the team, drive innovation, and support the development of technical capabilities. You will lead consultations with clients, planning authorities, statutory bodies, and other stakeholders to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest professional standards.

This role offers opportunities to work with cutting-edge survey techniques, contribute to bids and tenders, and support a nurturing mentoring and coaching framework. AECOM provides a supportive environment with internal and external training opportunities, career development, and a flexible hybrid working model to promote a healthy work-life balance.

Become part of a team of around 150 ecology professionals, including national and global leaders in species licensing, impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, and management. At AECOM, you will thrive in an inclusive, forward-thinking culture where your expertise and contributions are valued and rewarded.

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
- In-depth knowledge of relevant biodiversity legislation, policy, and reporting standards

About you
- A confident technical leader and effective communicator comfortable engaging with clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams
- Passionate about innovation and delivering pragmatic, proportionate ecological solutions
- Committed to mentoring and developing junior staff and peers within a collaborative environment
- Enthusiastic about contributing to the growth and strategic direction of the ecology team across UK&I

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