Head of Ecology

Overview

Head of Ecology

UK Wide / flexible location. Package £90k - £120k + Bonus and generous benefits.

My client is seeking to appoint the Head of Ecology to lead, grow, and inspire a high-performing team of ecologists and arborists. This is a rare opportunity for a senior leader to shape strategy, expand market presence, and deliver nationally significant, sustainability-led projects.

You'll join an award-winning, industry leading team known for technical excellence, innovation, and thought leadership. The Ecology team sits within the wider Environment and Sustainability business and plays a pivotal role across planning, infrastructure, and complex environmental programmes in the UK and internationally.

With responsibility for a 100-strong multidisciplinary team, you will provide strategic direction, drive growth, and take full ownership of performance, quality, and culture. You will lead major projects from feasibility through to delivery, ensure technical excellence, and influence decision-making across the wider business.

Key duties

• Providing strategic leadership, growth planning, and succession development for the Nature team
• Full P&L responsibility, ensuring profitable, well-governed delivery
• Leading high-profile projects and frameworks across multiple sectors
• Acting as technical authority and championing innovation and professional development
• Driving business development, client relationships, and thought leadership
• Collaborating closely with senior leaders across the wider organisation

Service areas include

Ecological and protected species surveys, Habitats Regulations Assessment, biodiversity net gain, ecological impact assessment and mitigation, natural capital and ecosystem services, water and nutrient management, arboriculture, invasive species, and ecological clerk of works - with growth ambitions across landscape-scale restoration, climate resilience, aquatic ecology, and digital environmental solutions.

About you

You'll be a respected environmental consultancy leader with extensive experience managing large, multidisciplinary teams. You'll bring strong commercial acumen, a track record of winning and delivering complex work, and the credibility to act as a thought leader within the industry. CIEEM membership, and expert witness experience are highly desirable.

Location

Flexible across the UK, with flexibility aligned to business and team needs. Core offices include; Bristol, London, Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh.

Package

The post includes a very generous salary circa £90k - 120k + Bonus and excellent benefits.

Next steps

David Mattinson is the lead consultant for this strategic appointment. Please apply via the link or contact David for further information. Please be assured that all communications are in the strictest of confidence.