Consult Sustain
Associate Ecologist
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Lead and grow our ecology practice
Bromley, London | £45,000–£55,000 | Flexible working and excellent benefits
Are you an experienced ecologist ready to take ownership of a growing ecology service?
Consult Sustain is looking for an ambitious Associate Ecologist to lead the delivery and development of our ecology offering. This is an opportunity to move beyond simply managing projects: you will have the autonomy to shape our services, develop client relationships and build a successful ecology team around you.
Working directly with our Directors, you will become the company’s lead ecology consultant and play an important role in our future growth.
Why join Consult Sustain?
We are an independent, growing consultancy where good ideas can quickly become part of how we work. You will have a genuine voice in the business, direct access to decision-makers and the freedom to develop an ecology service that reflects your expertise and ambitions.
You will benefit from our established relationships with architects, developers, planning consultants and housing providers, while being encouraged—and rewarded—for developing new relationships of your own.
You will also work alongside our sustainability specialists, giving you the opportunity to provide clients with coordinated ecology, Biodiversity Net Gain, energy, BREEAM, carbon and sustainability advice.
This role would suit an experienced Senior or Principal Ecologist ready to step into an Associate-level position, or an existing Associate looking for greater autonomy, influence and long-term progression.
The role
You will take the lead on ecology commissions from initial enquiry through to delivery. Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, UK Habitat Classification surveys and Ecological Impact Assessments for planning applications.
- Undertaking and managing Biodiversity Net Gain assessments using the statutory biodiversity metric, including habitat condition assessments, BNG reports and habitat plans.
- Planning, undertaking and overseeing protected and notable species surveys, including surveys for bats, breeding and wintering birds, great crested newts, reptiles, dormice, invertebrates and aquatic species, as appropriate.
- Coordinating seasonal survey programmes and managing specialist ecologists and subconsultants.
- Preparing clear, proportionate and technically robust reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, protected species reports, Ecological Impact Assessments, Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategies and Biodiversity Gain Plans.
- Advising clients and design teams on ecological constraints, mitigation, enhancement and planning requirements.
- Liaising with local planning authorities, statutory bodies and other stakeholders.
- Managing client relationships, project scopes, programmes and budgets.
- Preparing fee proposals and ensuring commissions are delivered efficiently and profitably.
- Identifying and developing new opportunities through relationships with planning consultants, architects, developers, contractors and housing providers.
- Helping to shape our ecology services, systems, partnerships and future recruitment.
- Maintaining high professional standards in accordance with the CIEEM Code of Professional Conduct, BS 42020 and relevant wildlife and environmental legislation.
- Collaborating with our BREEAM, energy, carbon and sustainability teams to provide joined-up advice to clients.
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About you
We are looking for someone who combines strong technical knowledge with commercial awareness and the confidence to lead client relationships.
You will ideally have:
- A degree in ecology, environmental science or another relevant biological discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
- Current membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or eligibility and willingness to obtain membership.
- At least five years’ professional ecology experience, ideally within a UK consultancy or built-environment setting.
- Strong experience of delivering Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, habitat surveys and ecological assessments for planning applications.
- Practical experience of Biodiversity Net Gain assessments, habitat condition assessments and statutory biodiversity metric calculations.
- Competence in surveying and assessing at least two protected or notable species groups, such as bats, great crested newts, reptiles, birds, dormice or invertebrates.
- A good working knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, national and local planning policy, BS 42020 and relevant CIEEM guidance.
- Experience of managing projects, budgets, programmes, clients and specialist subconsultants.
- The confidence and technical ability to work autonomously and provide clear, commercially aware advice.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience producing professional technical reports.
- A full UK driving licence and a willingness to travel for surveys, meetings and site visits.
It would be an advantage if you also have
- One or more protected species survey licences, particularly for bats, great crested newts or dormice.
- Experience preparing Ecological Impact Assessments, Biodiversity Gain Plans, Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategies or Construction Environmental Management Plans.
- Experience using QGIS or other mapping software, biological-recording systems and biodiversity metric tools.
- Experience providing ecological input into Environmental Impact Assessments.
- Knowledge of BREEAM ecology requirements and the relationship between ecology, planning and wider sustainability objectives.
- Experience of preparing proposals, developing client relationships or securing new work.
- Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Environmentalist status, or the ambition to work towards chartership.
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What we offer
In addition to a competitive salary of approximately £45,000–£55,000, depending on experience and professional status, we offer:
- 25 days’ annual leave, plus all standard UK bank holidays.
- Your birthday off as an additional paid day.
- Long-service holiday entitlement, with one additional day for each completed year after two years’ service, up to a maximum annual leave entitlement of 30 days.
- One day working from home each week, alongside flexibility for site visits and client meetings.
- Flexible start times from 7.30am.
- Medical appointments allowance - up to two hours’ paid time each month to attend medical, dental or other essential healthcare appointments.
- Time off in lieu where additional hours are worked.
- Vitality private healthcare membership.
- Company pension contribution.
- Annual bonus, subject to company performance.
- Client introduction bonus for successfully bringing new clients into the business.
- Payment of approved professional membership subscriptions relevant to your role.
- Ongoing investment in technical training, CPD, mentoring and career development, including agreed external courses and qualifications.
- Support to attend relevant networking and industry events.
- Regular company and Clockwise social events.
- A distinctive working environment in the Grade II-listed Old Town Hall in central Bromley.
- Standard working hours of 9.00am to 5.30pm, with a one-hour lunch break - 37.5 hours per week.
Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to lead and grow an important part of our business, with a clear route towards a future leadership or director-level position as the practice develops.
About Consult Sustain
Consult Sustain is an independent sustainability and ecology consultancy based at the Old Town Hall in Bromley.
We provide ecology and Biodiversity Net Gain services alongside BREEAM assessment, energy modelling, overheating analysis, whole-life carbon assessment and sustainability strategy advice.
Our work ranges from individual residential developments and conversions to major commercial and mixed-use regeneration projects. We pride ourselves on providing practical, commercially aware and technically robust advice while building long-term relationships with our clients and professional partners.
How to apply
Please send your CV and a covering letter of no more than one page, outlining your interest in the role and relevant experience, to:
References may be requested later in the recruitment process.
Consult Sustain is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates from all backgrounds.
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