Associate Ecologist

Posting date:	09 December 2025
Salary:	£50,000.0 to £74,000.0 per year
Additional salary information:	£50,000 - £74,000 DOE
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	08 January 2026
Location:	Southeast, West Sussex, GU1 1AA
Remote working:	Hybrid - work remotely up to 5 days per week
Company:	Hays Specialist Recruitment
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	4754171_1765298301

Summary

Your new company

My client is a respected ecological consultancy with a strong reputation for delivering high-quality services across the UK. They work on diverse projects in housing, retail, infrastructure, and renewable energy, integrating ecological habitats and wildlife benefits into development. The team is professional, friendly, and passionate about innovation and sustainability.

Your new role

My client is seeking an Associate Ecologist to lead work in the South East of England. This hybrid role combines technical leadership, project management, client engagement, and team development. You'll design and deliver terrestrial ecology surveys, oversee high-quality technical reports, and mentor junior and senior ecologists. You'll manage complex projects, build client relationships, and contribute to business growth and strategy alongside senior management. You'll primarily focus on projects in Kent, Sussex, and Surrey, with occasional travel.
Responsibilities:

• To design, organise and lead terrestrial ecology survey work and site visits.
• To prepare high quality technical reports and be responsible for reviewing and signing off others' reports, providing constructive feedback and coaching in order to achieve this.
• To be responsible for ensuring all output is delivered to the highest standard, in line with timescales agreed with the client, within budget and to the highest technical quality.
• Management and mentoring of junior and senior ecologists.
• Business development, including maintaining and extending relationships with existing clients as well as securing and managing new work.
• To work closely with the senior management team to expand the business and deliver the business strategies for the ecology team.
• To independently manage a range of complex projects, budgets, and timelines, ensuring effective communication with clients and stakeholders.
• Client management, successfully developing, maintaining and managing internal and external stakeholder relationships.
• To lead on tender preparation including writing fee proposals, setting budgets, programmes and scope.
• To complete all work in accordance with health and safety protocols and procedures.

What you'll need to succeed

• Extensive experience in ecological consultancy.
• A relevant degree (postgraduate preferred).
• Strong species and habitat identification skills (flora and fauna).
• Experience preparing development licence applications for protected species mitigation.
• Proven experience with Phase 1 / UKHab surveys.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of undertaking protected species surveys, mitigation and licensing, and holder of at least one protected species survey licence.
• Up to date knowledge and in-depth understanding of UK wildlife legislation and policy.
• In-depth knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy, and licensing.
• The ability to produce concise, high quality, written reports, with experience of Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, EcIAs, HRAs, BNG, protected species survey reports, etc., and to proof-read others' work.
• Project management, and client liaison skills.
• Leadership ability with a passion for mentoring others.
• Full CIEEM membership (or eligibility).
• Full UK driving licence, car and willingness to travel.

Desirable:

• Experience or training in National Vegetation Classification (NVC) or Modular River Surveys (MoRPh).
• Experience of the appeal process, preparing and/or presenting evidence for Public Inquiries.
• Experience with GIS and ecological modelling tools.
• CSCS card.

What you'll get in return

• Competitive salary: £50,000 - £74,000 depending on your experience.
• Pension Scheme - Employer and employee contributions that increase over time.
• Opportunity to lead and shape ecological consultancy services in the South East.
• Work on diverse and meaningful projects, including those of personal interest.
• Continuous professional development and learning support.
• Private medical insurance & mental health support.
• Income protection.
• Discretionary Bonus Scheme.
• Flexible working options to balance work and life.

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.

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