Principal Environmental Consultant

About Babbity Environmental

Babbity Environmental is a growing, friendly and experienced team of environmental consultants working across Scotland and the wider UK. We support a broad range of clients including large commercial organisations and the public sector, as well as smaller land developers, renewable energy companies and house builders. Our role is to help clients understand the complexities of environmental planning so they can deliver environmental projects successfully and responsibly.

Our successful and pioneering work has attracted clients and collaborators who share our ethos and integrity, enabling the business to grow and evolve. At our core, our people are actively working towards the protection of the local, national and global environment and we take pride in being a values-led consultancy that puts people first.

We are proud to be a Living Wage and Living Hours accredited employer and an Investors in People accredited company, reflecting our commitment to fair work, staff wellbeing and continuous improvement. We genuinely value our people and believe that how we work is just as important as the work we deliver.

Why join us?

We are expanding our team to support clients across all stages of environmental planning and EIA work, with particular focus on the preparation of Environmental Impact Assessment Reports, Environmental Statements and other environmental consenting documentation. You will join our growing terrestrial division of environmental planning and ecology specialists, working on a wide variety of interesting and often complex projects across Scotland and the UK.

This role offers a genuine opportunity to help shape the evolution of a small but ambitious consultancy. Your experience and judgement will influence the projects we take on, how our team operates, how we deliver our work and how we engage with our supply chain. You will work closely with an experienced and passionate Director and a supportive team who value collaboration, flexibility and professional integrity.

About the role

As Principal Environmental Consultant, you will:

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary environmental projects from feasibility through to consent and post-consent support
• Act as EIA Project Manager, including screening, scoping and authoring or reviewing technical chapters and reports
• Ensure work is delivered on time, on budget and in line with current UK and devolved environmental legislation, policy and guidance
• Line manage and mentor team members, supporting their technical and professional development
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams including internal specialists and external sub-consultants
• Support and generate new business in Scotland and across the wider UK, contributing to bids, tenders and proposals
• Represent Babbity Environmental at client meetings, conferences and stakeholder engagements as required
• Help refine and implement internal processes, including ISO-aligned management systems and quality procedures
• Plan and undertake site visits, as required, to inform environmental assessment and project delivery

About you

You will be excited by the opportunity to work in a small, growing consultancy where your contribution genuinely shapes how the business develops. You will be comfortable working remotely, able to manage your own time effectively and willing to pitch in and support colleagues when needed.

We are looking for someone who brings both technical excellence and a collaborative approach:

• Excellent knowledge of UK environmental legislation, including devolved environmental legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland
• Strong understanding of the Scottish and UK policy and regulatory framework for EIA
• Proven experience leading EIA and environmental planning projects from screening through to end reporting
• Excellent report writing skills, with a strong focus on clarity, structure and quality
• Proven experience managing and mentoring multidisciplinary teams
• Demonstrable ability to generate business in Scotland and across the wider UK
• Proven expertise in at least one environmental specialism, such as ecology, hydrology, water environment, landscape or a related discipline
• Experience working with and managing external suppliers and sub-consultants

Desirable:

• Experience in the implementation and management of ISO management systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001
• Chartered status (e.g. CEnv) or full membership of a relevant professional body such as IES or CIEEM, or a clear commitment to achieving this with our support

Working arrangements and benefits

This is a remote role with travel required for site visits, client meetings and occasional conferences, primarily within Scotland, although we do undertake work in England and Northern Ireland. As site visits often include remote locations, a full UK driving licence or the ability to travel independently to sites and meetings across Scotland and the wider UK is required.

We offer:

• Salary of £47,000 - £55,000 per annum, depending on experience
• NEST pension scheme
• Vitality private healthcare package
• Flexible and remote working within a supportive, friendly team
• Ongoing CPD support and professional development