Lead Technical Ecologist (LPA & Strategic Planning)

Lead Technical Ecologist (LPA & Strategic Planning)

Location: Flexible / Hybrid
Salary: Highly competitive, dependent on experience
Company: Burton Reid Associates

Help shape ecological planning at a strategic level

Burton Reid Associates is looking for an experienced Lead Technical Ecologist to lead and grow a specialist area of our business focused on supporting Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).

We already work with multiple authorities, providing advice on complex planning consultations, Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) matters, plan-making, and expert witness services. As demand for high-quality, defensible ecological advice continues to grow, we are looking for someone who can help us expand and strengthen this important part of the business.

This is a senior, strategic role for someone who enjoys influencing decision-making, interpreting policy, and providing trusted technical advice at the highest level.

The Role

You will become our lead authority on ecological planning policy and technical interpretation, working closely with the Directors to shape the future direction of this service area.

Rather than focusing on day-to-day project delivery, your role will centre on strategy, quality, technical leadership and client engagement. You will play a key role in developing relationships with Local Planning Authorities and helping them navigate increasingly complex ecological and planning challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading and growing our portfolio of Local Planning Authority consultancy work.
• Providing expert review and advice on planning applications, ecological submissions and consultation responses.
• Leading and shaping ecological input into Local Plan evidence bases, Habitats Regulations Assessments, Nature Recovery Networks and wider strategic planning initiatives.
• Acting as a trusted advisor on complex ecological planning matters.
• Representing Burton Reid Associates in meetings, public inquiries, examinations and expert witness proceedings where required.
• Supporting the development and delivery of training for LPAs, including through our involvement with ALGE.
• Contributing to the technical direction, quality standards and strategic growth of the business.

About You

We are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who have worked within a Local Planning Authority, although applicants with extensive experience working alongside LPAs will also be considered.

You will ideally have:

• Significant experience providing ecological advice within the planning system.
• A strong understanding of both development management and plan-making processes.
• Excellent knowledge of ecological planning policy, HRA and wider environmental legislation.
• Experience reviewing ecological assessments and advising on complex planning applications.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• The confidence to provide clear, robust and defensible technical advice.
• A desire to help shape and grow a specialist service area within an ambitious consultancy.

Why Join Us?

This is a rare opportunity to build something distinctive within an established and respected ecological consultancy. You will work with a high degree of autonomy, have genuine influence over the direction of the business, and help define how we support Local Planning Authorities in delivering sustainable development and nature recovery.

It would be an excellent opportunity for someone currently working within an LPA who is considering a move into consultancy but wants to retain and further develop the strategic, policy-led aspects of their work.

Interested?

If this sounds like the next step in your career, or you know someone who might be a good fit, we'd love to hear from you.

Contact Jenni Reid ([email protected]) to arrange an informal conversation and find out more about the role.