Principal Ecologist

Principal Ecologist

Belfast | £40,000 - £47,000 + Hybrid Working

Are you an experienced ecologist looking for the opportunity to take ownership of projects, mentor colleagues, and play a key role in the growth of a thriving ecology team?

Our client is seeking a Principal Ecologist to join their established Belfast-based team. This is an excellent opportunity for a well-rounded ecologist who enjoys managing projects from inception through to completion and wants to work across a diverse range of infrastructure, renewable energy, planning and development projects.

The Opportunity

You'll join a growing ecology team led by an experienced and supportive Team Director. The Belfast ecology team currently consists of around 15 professionals, including senior ecologists and technical specialists covering ornithology, mammals and habitats.

The team is particularly keen to speak with experienced ecologists who can confidently lead projects, manage clients and provide technical guidance to more junior team members. While specialist expertise is always welcomed, particularly within aquatic ecology, the primary focus is finding a strong project delivery professional who can independently manage projects from start to finish.

This role offers a genuine opportunity to become a key member of the team, helping to strengthen its senior capability while influencing how projects are delivered and supporting the development of junior ecologists.

A Team Where You'll Make an Impact

One of the biggest attractions of this opportunity is the culture within the Belfast team. The environment is collaborative, supportive and built around knowledge sharing. Team members are encouraged to take ownership of their work while having access to experienced colleagues for guidance and support whenever needed.

This isn't a heavily siloed consultancy environment. Instead, you'll work alongside specialists from a range of ecological disciplines, broadening your experience while contributing to a varied and technically challenging project portfolio.

The successful candidate will be trusted with significant responsibility and autonomy, making this an excellent opportunity for someone looking to step into a genuine leadership position without sacrificing technical involvement.

What Makes This Opportunity Different?

• Diverse workload across multiple sectors.
• Genuine autonomy to manage projects and clients.
• Exposure to major infrastructure, renewables and development projects.
• Opportunity to help shape the future growth of the Belfast ecology team.

What You'll Be Working On

The team's workload is split broadly 50/50 between public and private sector clients, offering an excellent mix of projects.

Public Sector Projects

• Overhead Line (OHL) developments
• Major infrastructure projects

Private Sector Projects

• Renewable energy developments
• Planning and development projects
• Residential developments
• Business parks
• Commercial developments

Key Projects Include

• Subsea stations and energy interconnectors
• Port upgrades and expansion projects
• Deep-sea infrastructure developments
• Coastal infrastructure schemes
• RNLI projects
• Sewage outfall developments
• Lighthouse infrastructure projects

This diversity provides excellent exposure across multiple sectors and creates a strong platform for continued professional development.

Responsibilities

• Managing ecological projects from proposal stage through to completion.
• Delivering ecological surveys, assessments and reporting.
• Acting as a key point of contact for clients and stakeholders.
• Managing project budgets and programmes.
• Supporting and mentoring junior team members.
• Contributing to business development opportunities.
• Ensuring technical excellence across project outputs.
• Working closely with multidisciplinary environmental and engineering teams.

About You

We're keen to speak with candidates who can demonstrate:

• Significant experience within ecological consultancy.
• Proven ability to independently manage projects.
• Strong report writing and technical assessment skills.
• Experience managing client relationships and stakeholder engagement.
• A sound understanding of UK and Irish ecological legislation and planning processes.
• Broad terrestrial ecology experience.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Protected species survey licences.
• Habitat assessment and classification expertise.
• Aquatic ecology experience.
• Chartered Ecologist status or progress towards chartership.
• Experience mentoring or managing junior ecologists.

Salary & Benefits

• £40,000 - £47,000 salary + Car Allowance
• Hybrid working
• Opportunity to influence and shape a growing ecology team
• Long-term career development within an established environmental consultancy

Interested?

Whether you're an established Principal Ecologist or a Senior Ecologist ready to take the next step, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a well-respected team where you'll be trusted to lead projects, develop people and make a lasting impact on the future growth of the business.