Senior or Principal Consultant

We’re looking for a motivated principal consultant based in our London office, to deliver projects which result in positive outcomes for biodiversity, whilst supporting client needs and meeting fee targets.

As a principal consultant you will;

• Lead and deliver high-impact ecology and biodiversity projects
• Manage moderate to complex projects from inception to completion
• Collaborate on large-scale projects and provide technical expertise
• Conduct ecological assessments (PEAs, BNG assessments, BREEAM ecology reports)
• Use QGIS and Biodiversity Metrics to assess and map biodiversity net gain
• Mentor and support junior team members
• Engage with clients and stakeholders, building strong relationships
• Contribute to business development and help grow our nature team

Our primary purpose is to ensure that biodiversity is not just protected from harm through development and other land management actions, but is actively enhanced, above and beyond minimum policy and legislative requirements.

Responsibilities

• Work on ecology/biodiversity projects in relation to planning.
• Produce and provide technical QA reviews for reports including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments (BNGAs), BREEAM Ecology Credit Assessments and protected species reports.
• Produce complex EcIAs, HRAs or other non-typical assessments and reports.
• Undertake BNG calculations using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.
• Undertake and lead on simple to medium complexity field surveys including UKHab / PEA and bat surveys as core purpose.
• Undertake biodiversity net gain mapping using QGiS and calculations using the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.
• Provide outward facing support, inputting into business generation for the ecology / biodiversity service line.
• Support directors and associates in writing reports and proposals.
• Line manage consultant or senior team members (max 4).
• Train and mentor junior members of the nature team.
• Contribute as a member of larger project teams (both within the nature team and the wider Greengage team).
• Run meetings and attend DTMs
• Liaise with clients, other consultants and external stakeholders to obtain information and update team on key aspects / issues.

What we are looking for

Minimum standard of proficient, up to authoritative in:

• QGIS - be able to produce good quality habitat/survey maps without support.
• PEA - be able to undertake PEAs unaccompanied accurately for moderate complexity sites.
• BNG - be able to draw areas from GIS and translate field survey results into the Statutory Biodiversity Metric.
• Bat surveys - be able to design and lead moderate complexity bat survey projects.
• Bat identification - be able to identify common bat species in the field and the office using agreed bat call identification software.
• Botany - be able to identify common floral species and categorise simple sites by UKHab criteria to FISC Level 4.
• BREEAM - be able to produce a BREEAM Ecology Credit Report for simple to moderate complexity sites.
• Survey, reporting and licencing in at least two other protected species.
• Independently manage and undertake HRA and EcIA for complex projects.

Qualifications and accreditations

• Graduate (MSc desirable) in a relevant scientific degree (ecology, biology, environmental science or similar)
• Must hold protected species licence or have experience of production of protected species licence documentation.
• Full CIEEM membership or working towards full membership/chartership.

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive salary package with potential for a discretionary bonus.
• 23 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Enhanced pension contributions.
• Training and development programs to help you thrive in your career.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Hybrid working, including an option to work from abroad for a set period each year.
• Enhanced family policies.
• Two volunteer days a year, to give back to the community.
• Opportunities to shape industry best practice, through professional body working groups and initiatives such as NextGen.
• Online benefits including shopping and leisure discounts, health and wellbeing services, 24hr GP appointments, gym membership and more.
• Regular socials.