Associate Director Ecologist (Belfast/ Cork/ Dublin)

Associate Director Ecologist (Belfast/ Cork/ Dublin)

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

This is your chance to lead from the front and shape the future of ecology in one of Ireland's most dynamic regions.

In the team, you'll play a key role within the office's leadership team - providing direction and helping guide how major programmes are delivered.

You'll take help support the development of a high performing team, while influencing national scale development, championing biodiversity, and helping deliver resilient infrastructure for generations to come.

This isn't just leadership - this is visible, meaningful impact at scale.

What's In It For Me

• Lead on a global stage - connect with 600+ ecologists worldwide and influence beyond the UK
• Shape your career path - structured progression through our Global Career Framework & Chartership Academy
• Build and help lead a high performing team - develop talent, mentor future leaders, and create a lasting legacy
• Collaborate across disciplines - work with experts across water, energy and environment on complex challenges
• Win and deliver exciting work - play a key role in bidding, winning and shaping major projects
• Be recognised as a leader - represent Jacobs through client relationships, industry events and thought leadership

You'll be given the autonomy, support and platform to lead with confidence and make a tangible difference.

About the Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced and driven Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to help shape our Irish ecology team - a pivotal role within our European ecology business.

In this role, you will:

• Help steer the strategic direction of the team, contributing to wider UK ecology leadership
• Act as a trusted advisor - the go to expert for clients, stakeholders and regulators
• Lead high value client relationships and represent Jacobs externally
• Although you won't have any defined line management responsibilities, you'll drive team growth, resilience and performance through mentoring and empathetic leadership
• Oversee and guide EIA, Appropriate Assessment and biodiversity strategies
• Design and lead ecological monitoring programmes and survey strategies
• Work across disciplines to deliver integrated, innovative project solutions
• Play a key role in identifying, bidding and winning new work
• Champion your team internally, raising its profile across the wider business

This is a rare opportunity to step into a role where you can combine technical excellence, strategic thinking and people leadership - all while working on projects that truly matter.

Here's what you'll need

You're an experienced ecology leader who brings both credibility and vision.

• A strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience
• Chartered status (or ready to achieve it)
• A strategic mindset, with the ability to contribute to senior leadership decisions
• Strong client facing skills and confidence engaging with stakeholders and regulators
• A flexible approach, with willingness to travel across the UK and Ireland when needed
• A proactive, hands on leadership style with strong self awareness
• The ability to adapt and thrive across diverse, complex projects

We'd be especially excited if you bring experience in:

• Innovative scoping of ecological inputs
• Protected species licensing and biodiversity enhancements
• Project consenting and construction environments
• Planning inquiries and examinations

But beyond experience, what really matters is your ability to think differently, challenge the status quo, and spot opportunities to improve how we deliver for our clients.

Benefits

• Up to 8% company contribution into pension
• Life assurance and income protection scheme
• Reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships
• Support to local communities through our Collectively program with matched funding, paid volunteering time, and charitable donations
• Opportunity to buy/sell annual leave

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.