Senior Ecologist

Right across infrastructure, there’s a requirement to not only maintain, but also renew and reimagine. Whatever stage you’re at in your career, with us you’ll have an opportunity to grow and develop. Delivering essential infrastructure services for life, while being safety first, and client and customer centric in a friendly, fun and respectful environment where you are encouraged to thrive. Where will you be working? At M Group Highways, we’re supporting the safe transportation and movement of people across the UK. We don’t just build roads and bridges- we’re building a better future, creating lasting social value that gives back to the communities in which we work. You’ll be joining our Transport Division, as the UK’s number one highway maintenance contractor, our teams use the latest innovations to create effective solutions. We offer a range of services including planned and reactive maintenance and highway improvement schemes.

What will you be doing?

We are seeking a Senior Ecologist to join our expanding team of environmental specialists within our M Group Environmental Solutions (MGES) consultancy function.

Your role will be varied and challenging with opportunities to explore a range of development opportunities and progression routes. Expect to be:

• Working collaboratively with engineers, project managers and delivery teams across all project stages, undertaking ecological appraisals and managing associated deliverables.

   

• Providing a broad range of desk- and site-based ecological consultancy services and technical advice across a diverse portfolio of exciting projects covering Transport, Water, Energy & Telecom sectors.

   

• Presenting appraisal and survey results in a clear, professional and engaging format for different audiences, ranging from technical notes to more detailed reports (e.g. Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments).

   

• Undertaking licensable ecological support activities and leading development of mitigation and enhancement strategies for projects.

   

• Leading Habitats Regulations Assessments, Biodiversity Net Gain Assessments, SSSI Assent applications, and licence applications.

   

• Leading the development of new service offerings, process improvements, and growth of our internal consultancy function alongside the Principal Ecologist / Consultant.

   

• Championing opportunities for improvement across the whole project lifecycle through ecological enhancements, nature-based solutions, and biodiversity net gain.

   

• Taking technical ownership by preparing and reviewing reports, risk assessments, method statements, and other project deliverables.

   

• Producing fee proposals, managing resource allocation, overseeing delivery within agreed budgets / programmes, and coordinating internal and external specialists across different disciplines.

   

• Engaging directly with statutory regulators, consultees, and stakeholders to address environmental constraints and explore opportunities.

   

• Playing an active role in recruiting and mentoring more junior team members, contributing to the growth and performance of the team.

   

• Training and upskilling design and delivery teams to support delivery of ecological outcomes, whilst also promoting our MGES service offering through internal & external engagement.

What you’ll bring

• Demonstrable design / pre-construction and construction / delivery experience in a similar role with a proven track record of delivering effective desk- and site-based ecological consultancy services within infrastructure sectors.

   

• Strong knowledge of ecological principles, UK legislation, policy and guidance, including Health & Safety requirements relating to delivery of ecological services.

   

• Ability to work autonomously whilst supporting other junior resources in a fast-paced environment, managing competing priorities relating to both short- and long-term commissions through effective communication.

   

• Proficient in habitat and protected species surveys, including UK Habitat Classification and BNG condition assessments.

   

   

• Evidence of leading successful Habitats Regulations Assessments, SSSI Assent applications, and licensable ecological support activities.

• Experience mentoring, training or managing ecologists and technical colleagues.

• Practical examples of improving service offerings, systems and processes and delivering other efficiencies and innovations within an ecological consultancy setting.

• Valid UK driving license and prepared to undertake site-based work 2-3 days/week on average and work from office locations regularly. Willingness to travel across the UK to client offices / sites and stay away from home for short periods as the role requires.

   

• Professional membership of CIEEM (or equivalent), with chartered status desirable.

   

• Proficient in the use of GIS and other digital tools.

• Holder of general, class, and/or mitigation/individual ecological licence(s) from Natural England, NatureScot and/or Natural Resources Wales.

• Proven ability to collaborate with clients, planning authorities, regulators, and stakeholders.

• Skilled in desk research, data handling, report writing, technical reviews, and project management.

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).