Head of Consultancy

Location: Hybrid – home working and Forth Rivers Trust office (Edinburgh), with regular travel across the Forth catchment
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term for 12 months with opportunity to extend
Requirements: Full Clean Driving license. Right to work in the UK.

Forth Rivers Trust

Forth Rivers Trust is an environmental charity dedicated to protecting and improving rivers, wildlife, and communities across the Forth District. We deliver projects that support climate resilience, biodiversity, and sustainable land use by working in partnership with land managers, communities, and public and private sector organisations.

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and pro-active Head of Consultancy to lead and grow Forth Rivers Consulting - our respected, science-led ecological consultancy. This is a rare opportunity to shape a commercial service that directly supports the Forth Rivers Trust’s mission to conserve, maintain, and improve rivers and their wildlife within the Forth catchment, ensuring they are healthy and vibrant for future generations.

We are looking for someone with the vision, drive, and strategic insight to continue to diversify and grow the consultancy. You will play a key role in building new partnerships, diversifying our client base, and ensuring that all consultancy work remains aligned with the Trust’s long-term strategy.

This role is a chance to help shape the future of Forth Rivers Consulting and to ensure that commercial ecological work delivers meaningful benefits for communities, wildlife, and the wider environment.

This role reports directly to the Deputy Director, with regular support and guidance from the Senior Management Team.

Key Responsibilities

Daily operations

• Produce competitive tenders and identify new business opportunities.
• Organise field teams and schedule survey work.
• Set up new projects and oversee onboarding procedures for clients.
• Manage invoicing, track income, and follow up on outstanding payments.
• Lead on ecological reporting and the QA of reports completed by colleagues.
• Undertake specialist ecological surveys (depending on skillset), with scope to pursue projects linked to your expertise.
• Prepare and maintain RAMS documentation to ensure compliance with current health and safety best practice.
• Collaborate closely with the Trust’s Science, Project, and Management teams to support fieldwork and reporting.
• Provide line management oversight for subcontractors.

Other responsibilities

• Assist with consultancy financial planning, budgeting, and reporting, ensuring alignment with Trust financial systems and providing quarterly updates to Forth Rivers Trust’s Board of Trustees.
• Drive business development by expanding services, broadening the client base, and strengthening relationships with our current clients and professional networks.
• Oversee marketing and promotion of the consultancy.
• Ensure consultancy delivery aligns with Trust values, ethics, and long-term strategy; whilst staying informed on relevant legislation, standards, and best practice.
• Identify partnership opportunities and represent the consultancy at AGMs and sector events.
• Support team development by identifying skills gaps, leading recruitment, and promoting upskilling and professional growth.
• Track business development activity to inform cost-benefit analysis and future strategic planning.
• Support Trust-wide conservation, science, and project activities.

Person specification

Essential

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Business Development or demonstrable relevant experience in environmental consultancy or business development.
• Strong project management experience, including financial oversight and reporting.
• Understanding of environmental legislation, planning policy, and ecological best practice.
• Competence in developing tenders, pricing work, and identifying new opportunities.
• Ability to lead, inspire, and support a team, including subcontractors and junior staff.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with experience building client relationships.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing deadlines.
• Commercially astute, with a proactive approach to business development and innovation.
• Commitment to ethical practice, transparency, and high professional standards.
• Enthusiasm for contributing to a collaborative, innovative environmental charity.

Desirable

• Full membership (or eligibility for membership) of CIEEM.
• Relevant ecological licences.
• Experience coordinating and delivering ecological surveys.
• Proven ability to produce, review, and quality-assure ecological reports and assessments.
• Knowledge of river restoration, catchment work, or freshwater ecology.

Why Join Us?

• Work on meaningful environmental projects
• Be part of a collaborative and dynamic team
• Flexible working arrangements
• Access to training and development opportunities
• 9% employer pension contributions
• 32 days holiday (inc. bank holidays) and an additional 5 days set aside for Christmas.

Closing date: 31st December
Interviews: 1st round interviews 8th January (online); 2nd round interviews 15th January (in person)
Start date: *Ideally March, but negotiable on circumstances