Associate Director Ecologist

Job Description

Overview

Shape the future of our cities and environments.

Join our organisation, where we have a huge variety of projects on‑the‑go at any one time. So when you start this role with us, it could take your career wherever your interests lie. You'll find everyone here is willing to pitch in and help because we all want you to succeed, and we're ready to help you grow.

When it comes to living your life, we want you to get the most out of it. So talk to us about all our flexible and remote working policies that can support your personal priorities. Also, ask us about some of our recent pledges for Women's Equality, as well as being a 'Disability Confident' and 'Inclusive Employer.'
Our ecology team truly strives to make a positive difference to the natural environment, by working closely with other disciplines across our business to engage in projects from the outset, ensuring ecology is considered at the earliest possible stage. This collaborative working helps to drive forward nature positive schemes that we are proud of.
Our award‑winning team of over 160 ecologists (including the President of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) and three CIEEM Fellows) work across a range of exciting habitat creation, research, development and major infrastructure projects; we foster innovation and help inform policy.
At AtkinsRéalis our people are the foundation of our business and that's why we put our people first. With this in mind, we provide an incredibly flexible and inclusive working environment with staff wellbeing being front and centre of all of our decisions.
We also understand that not everyone chooses to take the university route in terms of education - we are open to taking on ecologists without a degree and we are working closely with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) to make entry into the environmental industry more inclusive for all. For us, it is the experience, knowledge and, above all, your ability to fit in well with our existing team of ecologists, that really matters.

Your role

• Working individually but also, collaboratively, in a team environment.
• Client facing/client interaction – The candidate will demonstrate a deep understanding of clients' requirements and be able to reach back into the business to get the support required to fulfil those requirements and develop relationships/work.
• Leading on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), developing and managing project programmes and budgets.
• Collaborating within multi‑disciplinary teams and engaging with stakeholders / clients.
• Interdisciplinary engagement – the candidate will actively seek to engage with other areas of the business, seeking opportunities to cross sell and leverage AtkinsRéalis' capabilities, preparing bids, supporting on strategic opportunities, building client relationships (internal and external) and driving work‑winning in the region.
• Undertaking technical review of a range of ecological reports and licence applications.
• Undertaking and providing technical advice ecological assessment and habitat design for a variety of development and nature recovery projects for complex scenarios.
• Developing innovative and pragmatic approaches to ecological mitigation and compensation.
• Delivering clear and concise, high quality ecological deliverables in line with current guidance and good practice.
• Candidate will coach, mentor and support other staff members in their development.
• Task / project management.

About you

• A passion for ecology.
• An exemplary working knowledge of the natural environment and wildlife legislation. May have a role of influence on policy makers.
• Chartered through the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), CEcol or CEnv or actively working towards this.
• Have an established connection with individuals wider than their discipline team, including externally.
• Will ideally have an external profile within working groups, publications, training, media content or input into guidance documents. 
• Experience of working on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) and familiarity with the Development Consent Order (DCO) process.
• The ability to undertake and technically advise on UKHab surveys, Preliminary Ecological Assessment, Ecological Impact Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
• Ideally strong botanical skills, including Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) level 3+, or demonstrable botanical ability matching this level.
• Exceptional project management experience including technical, financial and quality assurance aspects.
• Extensive experience in protected species survey, mitigation and licensing. Will have experience of acting as named ecologist in complex scenarios. Able to provide guidance for NSIPs and complex scenarios.
• An understanding and demonstratable experience of the importance of work winning, through both bidding and maintaining strong client relationships. In particular for large frameworks or NSIPs.
• The ability to manage ecology deliverables / projects from bidding through to completion.
• Is able to think and deliver strategically, within ecology but also for the wider Environment Practice and for AtkinsRéalis, will ideally have proven examples of this.
• A full UK/EEC driving licence.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

#LI-INFRASTRUCTURE | #EnviroJobs #EcjobsUK

Worker Type

Employee

Job Type

Regular

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.