Principal Ecologist

Bennett & Game are proud to be representing an award-winning multi-disciplinary engineering and environmental consultancy, previously recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 Companies to Work For. With offices across the country, including a strong presence in Leeds, they deliver innovative and sustainable solutions across infrastructure, development, and environmental sectors. Due to continued expansion of their ecological services, they are now seeking a Principal Ecologist to join their Leeds office and play a key role in driving technical excellence, project delivery, and team development within a collaborative, forward-thinking environment.

Principal Ecologist Job Overview

• Lead complex ecological assessments, including advanced protected species surveys, detailed site evaluations, and strategic ecological input for major development projects
• Prepare and oversee high-quality technical reports such as Ecological Impact Assessments, biodiversity net gain strategies, mitigation design, and specialist ecological guidance
• Provide senior technical leadership across multidisciplinary project teams, collaborating with arboriculturists, landscape architects, engineers, and planners
• Design and implement mitigation, compensation, and enhancement strategies for protected species and habitats, ensuring robust compliance with legislation
• Manage client relationships, support fee proposals, and contribute to business development across the ecology service line
• Oversee ecological components during construction phases, including method statement development, ecological supervision, and compliance monitoring
• Mentor, support, and quality-check the work of senior and junior ecologists, fostering technical growth and maintaining high professional standards

Principal Ecologist Job Requirements

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biological Sciences, or a related discipline
• Extensive consultancy experience with proven ability to lead ecological projects from bid through to delivery
• Strong knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy, advanced mitigation design, and biodiversity net gain principles
• Competency with protected species survey licences (e.g. bats, GCN) and holding one or more Natural England licences is highly advantageous
• Strong GIS capability (QGIS or ArcGIS) and confidence in reviewing complex ecological data
• Excellent leadership, client management, and project management skills
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites across the region

Principal Ecologist Salary & Benefits

• Salary: £45,000 – £50,000 per annum (depending on experience)
• Inclusive Culture – Supportive, collaborative workplace that values diversity and professional growth
• Competitive Rewards – 5% pension match, life assurance, and long-service recognition
• Time Off & Flexibility – 25 days’ holiday (rising to 28), option to buy additional days, hybrid working (3 days office), and flexible core hours
• Health & Wellbeing – Westfield Health cover, healthcare cash plan, Cycle to Work scheme, and dedicated wellbeing initiatives
• Community & Connection – Volunteering days, regular social events, discounts, and savings programmes

Bennett and Game Recruitment are a multi-disciplined technical recruitment agency based in Chichester, West Sussex operating across the UK with specialist teams covering a range of industries.

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