Principal Ecologist (BNG & Habitat Banks)

🌱 Principal Ecologist (BNG & Habitat Banks)
📍 UK-wide / Home-based | 🚗 Regular travel to sites

About GEDG

GEDG creates and manages habitat banks and nature-led projects that deliver real, measurable biodiversity outcomes. We sit at the intersection of ecology, planning and delivery, helping developments meet Biodiversity Net Gain requirements while restoring nature at scale.

As mandatory BNG reshapes the market, we’re growing our in-house ecology capability and we’re looking for a senior, experienced Principal Ecologist to help lead that journey.

The role

This is a hands-on, senior ecology role for someone who is confident with BNG, the Metric, and real-world decision-making.

You’ll act as an internal technical lead, supporting delivery teams day-to-day, handling complex or time-critical ecological trades, and working collaboratively to ensure robust, high-quality ecological inputs across an expanding portfolio of projects.

What we’re looking for

• Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and confident use of the Metric
• Solid understanding of ecological 'trades' (including unusual or time-sensitive trades)
• A strong understanding of ecological-planning law / rules and the planning interface
• Habitat surveying and condition assessments
• GIS systems (at least for ecological data collection)

Initial focus of the role (what you’ll do first)

You’ll work closely with Chris and the wider team to:

• Support the team with day-to-day resolution of ecological questions and queries
• Complete ecological trades when required
• Monitor and QA-check BNG quotes, ensuring outputs and assumptions are robust
• Complete Green Metrics and manage GEDG's supply of habitat units.
• Assist with completion of the annual GEDG ecological monitoring of all registered habitat banks
• Assist with the roll-out and management of GEDG ecological GIS systems

Direction of growth (where this role will evolve)

Over time, the role will expand to include:

• Delivering baseline ecological assessments for future habitat banks
• Working as part of a cross-specialisation GEDG team to design future habitat banks
• Writing management plans for future habitat banks
• Day-to-day management of any junior ecological roles
• Undertaking Ecological Clerk of Works duties as needed (e.g., nesting bird checks, badger sett checks, etc.)
• Undertaking soil sampling on registered habitat banks and monitoring soil conditions as necessary

Package

• £50,000–£55,000 (DOE)
• Private healthcare
• Company car (this role requires regular travel as our site portfolio expands)