Principal Ecologist /Associate Director – Ecology Birmingham

Overview

In this leadership role, you will guide the Birmingham ecology team and shape strategic direction for ecology across the UK. You’ll influence major infrastructure projects by delivering expert ecological advice to clients, regulators, and stakeholders. You will lead people development, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and drive high-impact solutions across water, transport, and energy sectors. This position offers global exposure within Jacobs and a clear path for career progression and influence.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary
• 24 days holiday (+ option to buy 10 more)
• pension contributions up to 10%
• health coverage
• Wellbeing resources
• CPD opportunities

Responsibilities

• Steer strategic direction for the Birmingham ecology team and contribute to UK-wide leadership
• Provide high-quality ecological advice to clients, stakeholders, and regulators
• Build and sustain strong client and stakeholder relationships
• Lead and mentor team members to foster high performance
• Apply ecological expertise across EIA, Habitat Regulations Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain
• Design and oversee ecological monitoring and survey programmes
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated, innovative solutions
• Identify, bid for, and win new work
• Promote the ecology team’s capabilities within the business and externally
• Shape projects and team performance to drive sustainable outcomes

Key requirements

• Strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience
• Chartered status (or on track to achieve it)
• Proven experience leading ecological input on large-scale projects
• Strategic mindset with ability to influence wider business decisions
• Experience in line management, mentoring and team development
• Proactive, hands-on approach with strong self-awareness
• Ability to adapt across diverse and complex projects
• Experience in innovative scoping of ecological inputs (desirable)
• Experience with protected species licensing and Biodiversity Net Gain (desirable)
• Experience in project consenting and regulatory environments (desirable)
• Stakeholder and regulator engagement experience (desirable)
• Planning enquiries and examinations experience (desirable)

• Empathetic leadership
• Stakeholder engagement
• Clear communication
• EIA (Ecological Impact Assessment)
• Habitat Regulations Assessment
• Biodiversity Net Gain

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