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Principal Ecologist
Principal Ecologist – Ecology Lead (UK Water)
The Opportunity
We are excited to announce a high-impact role for a Principal Ecologist to join our UK-wide Ecology team at Stantec. This is an exceptional opportunity to:
- Lead a growing team of passionate ecologists in the South East of England, focusing on water utility frameworks.
- Shape future ecological strategies, balancing innovation with expert biological research.
- Expand client relationships and deliver technical excellence while promoting best practice in biodiversity conservation.
- Build high-performing teams aligned with project ambitions, fostering autonomy and shared scientific vision.
- Advance our UK reputation in ecological consultancy by driving investment and delivering complex, high-value projects.
While Stantec has a broader ecology function, the successful candidate will deliver multiple projects under their own responsibility while collaborating closely with our UK ecology teams—including the Water Utility Lead.
What You’ll Do
As the Principal Ecologist, you’ll act as a strategic leader, blending technical authority, commercial acumen, and partnership-building to:
- Design and build talent pathways within the team, ensuring a culture of collaboration, mentorship, and operational excellence.
- Secure and manage complex bids for utility frameworks, ensuring delivery against budgets and timelines.
- Lead optimisation of ecological services—strengthening our partnerships while expanding our portfolio.
- Oversee ecological impact assessments (PEAs, ECIAs, HRAs), ensuring they reflect UKHab classification and Defra standards.
- Develop structured costings and fee proposals, ensuring competitive and profitable delivery.
- Mentor staff, supporting their growth while consolidating Stantec’s credibility as a trusted council for ecology.
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About You
We’re seeking a seasoned Ecologist with:
Core Qualifications:
- Proven experience in ecological consultancy, specialising in water contexts where possible.
- Deep knowledge of UK ecology legislation, plans, and policies (key working areas may include: wetland, riverine, upland ecosystems).
- Leadership in highly regulated environments, including securable protected species licences.
- Formal qualification in ecology/environmental science (or equivalent experience).
Technical Expertise:
- Broad understanding of ecological assessments (especially PEAs, ECIAs, GAP surveys, Hmm, plant community indicators).
- Familiarity with EIA, environmental impact methodologies, and delivery within QS frameworks.
- Water-specialism expertise is advantageous, given the focus on utility clients.
Commercial Mindset:
- Experience in bid strategy, fee proposals, and tender management.
- Strong project budgeting and financial oversight when guiding indigenous natural resources work.
Values & Attitudes:
- Autonomous, independent, and consultative—you will drive ownership the company’s new water framework strategies.
- A thought leader who pushes forward environmental science while meeting real commercial needs.
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Are you driven to elevate an emerging team into a regional ecological powerhouse? We need a collaborator who thrives in fast-developing scenarios and delivers outstanding ecological outcomes.
UK Water
Habitat поздравляет быстро развивающихся ватероломайте с новыми возможностями в контексте:
About Stantec
We are Stantec—a people-greater global design firm where talent is honoured and communities thrive together. With 34,000 colleagues united across 6 continents, we support sustainable development for the next generation.
Our teams craft the infrastructure and plans that turn ambitious visions into reality—grounded by technical mastery, modern environmental solutions, and equal opportunities for all. We ensure no single voice is unheard, and we enable better communities for humans and ecosystems alike.
- Global effort to protect and grow eco-sustainable cities.
- Diversity and Inclusion are core to our mission:
- We cannot compromise on anti-discrimination principles (UK & international diversity policies).
- Accessibility is embedded: If you require adjustments during the recruitment process email [email protected].
- We value modern thinking. Skills like mentoring, devising new outputs, or an unconventional project leadership approach are encouraged over rigid fit criteria.
Are you ready to join us in shaping a fairer, more integrated ecological future? We’d love to hear your vision. Apply today—your experience could help propel Stantec into this next phase.
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