Overview

Are you a commercially aware leader looking for your next exciting opportunity in ecological consultancy?  Do you enjoy leading and motivating a team and taking responsibility for managing large complex projects?  Do you have a proven track record of winning work, proactively generating new business and managing client relationships?  If so, then we would be delighted to hear from you!

The role

We are looking for a self-motivated Principal Ecological Consultant to join our head office in Guildford. The post-holder will be integral to our continued growth and will be responsible for leading a team of ecological consultants.  You will be commercially aware, with extensive technical knowledge and expertise in the ecological aspects of development projects and planning law, with experience of helping clients achieve their objectives and ecological compliance.

This is a client facing role, you will therefore need to be an involved and informed project manager who can manage and maintain successful client relationships; assist with business development initiatives and write quotations and tenders. You will need to be self-motivated, organised and have excellent communication skills.

Thomson Ecology

We are the UK’s leading experts in gaining consents and meeting planning conditions. Our expertise is in all ecosystems and we provide the full range of services within ecology, water management, habitat creation and landscape architecture; from survey, through data management to consultancy and public inquiry. We help our clients from all sectors to gain planning consent and to manage the impacts of developments on species and their habitats.

We promote a happy, friendly workplace and are guided by the company’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Support and Excellence.  We provide fantastic on-the-job training, opportunities for progression and a range of company benefits including 25 days annual leave, a stakeholder pension scheme, discounted gym membership, childcare vouchers, free parking and regular social events!

Successful candidates will:

  • have proven demonstrable experience within a commercial ecological consultancy
  • have a degree or postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in an ecological or related subject
  • be technically competent, with an in-depth knowledge of ecology, legislation and survey techniques, including advanced species knowledge and field skills
  • ideally hold a minimum of one protected species licence (level 2 bat survey licence and experience of producing EPSLs would be advantageous)
  • have excellent written communication skills with proven experience of writing accurate technical reports including Environmental Statement (ES) chapters, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)
  • be organised with considerable experience of managing large, complex projects
  • have experience of leading, engaging with and motivating a team of both site and office based staff
  • have a proven track record of preparing bids and tenders, winning work and generating new business opportunities
  • be financially adept with the ability to manage budgets and deliver projects on time and to budget
  • be capable of working under pressure with the ability to meet critical deadlines
  • hold full membership of CIEEM (or to have eligibility if not currently held)
  • have a full UK driving licence and use of a car
  • have a positive outlook and a strong desire to succeed

This is a permanent position based at our head office on the picturesque Surrey Research Park.  The successful candidate will live within commuting distance of Guildford or be prepared to relocate.

For an informal chat about the role, please feel free to contact Katie Hamilton-Boxall on 01483 466000.

Please apply as soon as possible with your CV and a convincing covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (max 500 words) to recruitment@thomsonecology.com