Technical Director - Ecology

Arcadis; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading ecological consultancy is seeking a Technical Director to oversee ecological projects across diverse client sectors. The role involves ensuring quality control, fostering team development, and managing client relationships. Ideal candidates will have extensive leadership experience in ecology, proven success in writing ecological assessments, and be a member of CIEEM. This position can be based anywhere in the UK and offers opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience at leadership level with detailed ecological knowledge.
• Proven track record in writing ecological appraisals and EcIAs.
• In-depth knowledge of particular plant and/or animal groups.

Responsibilities

• Manage projects, budgets, and client relationships.
• Oversee ecological surveys and report production.
• Provide advice on ecological issues.

Skills

Leadership

Ecological principles

Ecological impact assessment

Biodiversity strategies

Client relationship management

Education

Full membership of CIEEM

Chartered Ecologist or similar

Job description

Overview

Role: Technical Director - Ecology at Arcadis. This role can be based anywhere in the UK.

Our Ecology team is a 60+ ecologists group with 30+ years of experience undertaking ecological surveys and assessments, and providing advice on soil, land use, hydrological and sustainable drainage issues, arboriculture, ecosystem service, natural capital assessment, biodiversity strategies and metrics, and cultural heritage. We have undertaken over 2,000 projects across the UK and beyond for public and private clients. We focus on attracting, retaining and developing people who share our passion and commitment to improve quality of life.

One of our core values is ‘people first’, and supported by the Lovinklaan foundation, we invest in you for the long term to help you reach your full potential. You’ll have the opportunity to own your career and work on industry-defining projects, finding solutions to real challenges that make a difference to people’s lives. You’re encouraged to have a growth mindset and are given the space to develop personally and professionally, building a flexible career that works for you.

Role description: As part of our continuous growth our Ecology team is looking to recruit a Technical Director. The Ecology team comprises 60+ ecologists with extensive experience in ecological surveys, assessments, soil, land use, hydrology, sustainable drainage, arboriculture, biodiversity, and cultural heritage. During this time, we have undertaken over 2,000 projects across the UK, Europe and beyond for public and private clients.

As a Technical Director you will be accountable for quality control, coordination, and completion of ecological projects across our diverse client base. Client sectors include Urban and Greenfield Residential Developments, Regulators, Local Governments, Highway and Rail Schemes, Power Stations, Electrical and Gas Infrastructure, and Local housing developers.

You will play a key role in coaching and leading the team to ensure engagement in challenging projects that support professional development. In addition to delivering projects to time, budgetary and QHSE targets, you will manage client relationships so that delivery exceeds client expectations and lead by example.

Personal development is recognised as vital to sustain career progression and to deliver our expectations. We offer the opportunity to work with industry-recognised Technical Leaders in their field, and we expect the successful candidate(s) to contribute towards general excellence throughout the industry. This role can be based anywhere in the UK.

Role accountabilities

Responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:

• Manage projects (particularly budgets and cashflow), attend meetings, provide advice to clients and manage bid production
• Have responsibility for technical quality / approval of project deliverables
• Undertake/oversee ecological surveys, the analysis of results of field surveys, and undertake/manage the production of reports, impact assessments, biodiversity strategies and other documents
• Provide advice on ecological issues, both at an in-depth level within own area of expertise but also on a broad range of issues
• Compile licence applications, including developing mitigation and monitoring
• Undertake/supervise mitigation and monitoring of licensed work and liaise with statutory authorities
• Undertake performance management of assigned team members, and provide training at staff meetings and to smaller groups of staff
• Design research projects and contribute to the development of best practice with respect to training and survey standards, as appropriate
• Manage high quality, winning bids

Qualifications & Experience

• Extensive experience at leadership level with detailed knowledge of ecological principles, relevant wildlife legislation and ecological impact assessment (EcIA)
• Proven track record in writing ecological appraisals, EcIAs and Ecology Chapters for Environmental Statements
• A grounding in natural capital and biodiversity net gain is desirable
• In-depth knowledge of particular plant and/or animal groups and appropriate field survey skills
• Be a full member of CIEEM and Chartered Ecologist or similar
• Ideally hold Survey and/or Development Licences

Why Become an Arcadian?

Our work with clients has a direct impact on people’s lives and on the planet. We make moving, living and belonging in cities safer, more resilient and more sustainable. By partnering with our clients as responsible custodians of our earth's resources, we can create a sustainable planet. We continue to think of new ways to make positive impacts and create better experiences for people; data driven and digital solutions have become part of the Arcadis DNA. Working with clients and using techniques like design thinking, we can address our clients’ most pressing challenges and work together to solve them. We are committed to supporting five of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and to reducing our environmental impact as part of our commitment to net zero carbon by 2035. We also support equality, diversity, inclusion, and belonging across six ED&I Workstreams: Age, Disability, Faith, Gender, LGBT+ and Race.

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