Senior / Principal Ecologist

Reference:

Job ID:

Posted:

Closing date:

Location: Sheffield

Salary: 35,000 – 55,000 (DOE) (per annum)

Job type: Permanent

Working pattern: Full time

Industry: Construction / Environment

Company: Hays

Consultant: Ethan Taylor

Hays office: Leicester — 1st & 2nd Floor, 2 Colton Square

Phone:

Email:

Your new company

A well-established consultancy is seeking an experienced Senior Ecologist to play a pivotal role in developing and leading ecological services from its Sheffield base.

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious ecological professional who enjoys both project delivery and helping shape a growing regional team. Applications will also be considered at Consultant and Principal level for candidates demonstrating suitable experience.

Your new role

You will be joining a collaborative environment where ecology works closely with landscape, master planning and other technical disciplines. The role offers exposure across the full project life cycle, from early strategic input to on-site implementation. Working from a central Sheffield office, you will help establish and expand a small but growing ecological presence supported by a wider national ecology team.

• Lead, coordinate and deliver ecological input across a varied project portfolio.
• Oversee and/or undertake protected species surveys.
• Prepare and review ecological reports including PEAs, EcIAs, HRAs and BNG assessments.
• Develop and implement mitigation strategies.
• Support and mentor junior team members, contributing to team development.
• Engage confidently with clients and external stakeholders as a senior representative.
• Contribute to high-quality, evidence-based outcomes throughout the planning and delivery stages.

What you'll need to succeed

• Degree in Ecology, Biology or related subject (2:1 or above desirable).
• Proven experience in protected species surveys, ideally holding relevant survey licences.
• Habitat survey competence, including UKHab, with strong botanical skills.
• Solid understanding of UK wildlife legislation.
• Excellent written English and confident verbal communication skills.
• Skilled in MS Office and QGIS.
• Highly organised, proactive and effective at multitasking.
• Willingness to undertake evening and nighttime surveys during peak season.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a suitably insured vehicle.
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., ACIEEM or above).

What you'll get in return

• Competitive salary of 35,000–55,000 per year.
• Hybrid working model, including up to two days per week from home.
• Flexible working arrangements around core hours.
• Annual bonus scheme, combining profit-related and performance-based rewards.
• Generous annual leave: 25 days per year
• Enhanced pension contributions, increasing with tenure.
• Team culture benefits, including an annual staff trip and regular social events.
• Strong commitment to professional development, offering a substantial external training budget aligned to individual interests and growth areas.

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

# - Ethan Taylor