Principal Ecologist

Principal EcologistBanbury, Oxfordshire - Hybrid Working£46,500 - £50,000 + Excellent BenefitsBennett & Game Recruitment are pleased to be working with a leading multidisciplinary environmental consultancy seeking an experienced Principal Ecologist to join their growing terrestrial ecology team based in Banbury.The successful candidate will lead and deliver a varied portfolio of ecological projects across the residential, commercial, infrastructure and renewable energy sectors. The position combines technical project delivery, fieldwork, client management and team development, offering the opportunity to play an influential role within an established and expanding consultancy.This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced ecologist seeking greater responsibility, varied project exposure and genuine long-term career progression within a flexible and supportive working environment.Principal Ecologist Salary & BenefitsSalary of £46,500 - £50,000, depending on experienceHybrid and flexible working arrangements33 days annual leave, including bank holidaysOne additional day of annual leave for every three years of service, up to five additional daysOption to carry forward up to five days of annual leaveOption to buy or sell up to five days of annual leave per year6% matched pension contributions at Principal levelPrivate medical insurance following successful completion of probationIncome protection covering 75% of salary following a qualifying periodLife assurance of four times annual salaryEnhanced company sick payOne paid volunteering day per yearOne professional membership paid annuallyCycle to Work Scheme up to the value of £3,000Comprehensive training and professional developmentSupportive social, wellbeing and employee network groupsExcellent opportunities for progression within a growing environmental consultancyPrincipal Ecologist Job OverviewLead and manage a diverse range of terrestrial ecology projects from initial enquiry through to completionPrepare fee proposals, project scopes, budgets and delivery programmesPlan and oversee ecological field surveys and survey teamsUndertake and review UK Habitat Classification and Phase 1 Habitat SurveysManage protected species surveys, mitigation strategies and licensing workAnalyse ecological data and provide technically robust advice to clientsProduce and review high-quality technical reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and protected species reportsProofread and provide technical oversight of reports produced by other members of the teamManage project budgets, timescales and resourcesLiaise directly with clients, planning authorities, statutory bodies and other project stakeholdersSupport, mentor and develop junior and intermediate members of the ecology teamWork collaboratively with specialists across a range of environmental disciplinesContribute to the continued development and growth of the ecology teamUndertake occasional travel across the UK, including overnight stays where requiredPrincipal Ecologist Job RequirementsDegree or postgraduate qualification in Ecology, Environmental Science or a related disciplineMinimum of four years' relevant professional experience within ecological consultancy, the public sector, a conservation organisation or a closely related environmentStrong knowledge of UK habitats, botanical identification and protected speciesExtensive experience undertaking Phase 1 Habitat Surveys and/or UK Habitat Classification SurveysComprehensive experience undertaking protected species surveysExperience developing and implementing protected species mitigation strategiesHolder of at least one protected species survey licenceStrong experience producing ecological reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain assessments and protected species reportsAbility to review and proofread technical work produced by colleaguesPrevious project management experience including responsibility for budgets, programmes and resourcesExperience leading, mentoring or supporting junior members of staffStrong client management and stakeholder communication skillsExcellent written and verbal communication skillsStrong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projectsWillingness to travel across the UK when requiredFull UK driving licenceBennett and Game Recruitment are a multi-disciplined technical recruitment agency based in Chichester, West Sussex operating across the UK with specialist teams covering a range of industries.We are acting as a Recruitment Agency in relation to this vacancy, and in accordance with GDPR by applying you are granting us consent to process your data, contact you about the services we offer, and submit your CV for the role you have applied for.TPBN1_UKTJ