Associate Director / Technical Director – Freshwater Ecology

Overview

In this role you will lead freshwater ecology programmes for EIA and regulatory submissions, acting as a trusted expert across major infrastructure schemes. You will mentor and guide the aquatic ecology team while delivering robust technical reports and securing bids. You’ll shape practice standards, represent the business externally, and influence multi-disciplinary solutions within a global network. This is an opportunity to drive meaningful improvements in freshwater ecosystems on international projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of freshwater and aquatic ecology baseline survey programmes for EIAs and regulatory submissions
• Author high-quality technical reports, including EIA chapters, WFD assessments, and planning deliverables
• Line manage and mentor aquatic ecologists, supporting their growth and wellbeing
• Prepare competitive tenders and fee estimates for medium and large-scale projects
• Support management of the wider aquatic team including health & safety, training, resource planning, and technical excellence
• Build and maintain a strong profile as a recognised technical expert and represent the business externally

Key requirements

• Extensive professional experience in consultancy, regulatory bodies, or industry settings
• Advanced technical expertise in freshwater ecology including protected species and habitat assessment
• Proven ability to deliver technically robust reports for WFD assessments and EIAs
• Strong understanding of UK water and ecology legislation within the planning process
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing teams
• Proven project management skills including tender preparation and budgeting
• Positive, collaborative, and engaging leadership with excellent communication skills

• leadership
• collaboration
• communication
• freshwater ecology
• protected species and habitat assessment
• WFD assessments

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