Principal Ecologist /Associate Director – Ecology Glasgow/Edinburgh

Overview

In this Principal Ecologist/Associate Director role, you will lead and shape Jacobs’ Scotland ecology team within a global practice. You will guide strategic direction, develop high-performing teams, and influence project decisions to keep ecology at the forefront of major developments. You’ll manage high-profile client relationships, bids, and multi-disciplinary solutions across infrastructure projects, environmental planning, and regulatory processes. The role offers scope to impact strategy, mentoring, and external thought leadership while delivering meaningful ecological outcomes at scale.

Pay / Benefits

• competitive salary
• 24 days holiday + 10 days
• enhanced pension contributions up to 10%
• private health cover and Digital GP
• family planning support
• enhanced parental leave

Responsibilities

• Steer the strategic direction of the ecology team and contribute to UK leadership
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, stakeholders and regulators
• Lead high-value client relationships and represent Jacobs externally
• Drive team growth, resilience and performance through empathetic leadership
• Oversee EIA, Habitats Regulations Appraisal, and biodiversity strategies
• Design and lead ecological monitoring programmes and survey strategies
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated project solutions
• Identify, bid for, and win new work
• Promote the team’s profile within the wider business

Key requirements

• Strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience
• Chartered status (or ready to achieve it)
• Strategic mindset with senior leadership contribution
• Proven line management, mentoring and team development
• Strong client-facing skills and ability to engage with stakeholders and regulators
• Willingness to travel across the UK and Ireland
• Hands-on leadership style with self-awareness
• Ability to adapt to diverse, complex projects

• leadership
• stakeholder engagement
• empathy
• EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment)
• Habitats Regulations Appraisal
• biodiversity strategies

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