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Senior Ecologist (Generalist/Botanist/Ornithologist/BNG Specialist)
Location: Cambridge, Norwich, Croydon, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, Colwyn Bay; UK
Recruiter Contact: Andrea Gaffney
About Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. We deliver specialised work in industries shaping a sustainable future, with a mission to empower employees to excel through collaboration, learning, and growth.
As an employee-owned business, we prioritise inclusion, equity, and shared success, fostering a culture where every individual can thrive in their career.
About the Division
Environmental and social considerations are core to Mott MacDonald’s purpose. Our Environment and Social team provides innovations solutions and essential services across all sectors, ensuring our clients’ needs are met with forward-thinking robustness.
Role Overview
At Mott MacDonald, we believe nature should drive every development. Our Nature Services team is expanding, seeking talented Senior Ecologists (Generalist/Botanist/Ornithologist/BNG Specialist) to help design a sustainable future.
We elevate standards in ecological advice, having created training for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), contributed to CIEEM’s guidance, and pioneered tools for smarter ecological data management.
From NHS biodiversity enhancements to flood management schemes, your contributions will deliver measurable impact. This role involves mentoring junior staff, managing site-based tasks, and engaging with large-scale projects where your expertise ensures deliverables are on time, on budget, and compliant.
You’ll align with our Linked Specialist Network for cross business collaborations and growth, contributing to a fast-paced, client-centric commercial environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Mentor junior team members while executing office-based tasks and field surveys.
- Play a lead role in components of large-scale projects, coordinating in-appropriate teams while liaising closely with subject matter experts.
- Shape project decisions from conception to implementation, embedding best practice and ecological improvements.
- Possibility to develop project management experience.
- Promote biodiversity net gain (BNG) globally, advancing our portfolio and forward-order book via mission-driven fieldwork.
- Champion sustainable development across the project lifecycle, enhancing design and influencing high-impact schemes.
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Candidate Specification
Essential Requirements
- Degree in Ecology (or related field) – An advanced degree is advantageous.
- Five or more years of experience in ecological consultancy (or equivalent with transportable skills).
- Full Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (FCIEEM) or equivalent.
- Proven communication skills for working with multi-disciplinary teams, clients, and regulators.
- Specialisms (pick one):
- Ornithologist – Survey licence for at least one Schedule 1 species.
- Botanist – FISC Level 4 or higher.
- BNG Lead with hands-on management experience.
- Protected Species Licence-holder.
- Willingness to travel throughout the UK.
Desirable Attributes
- Experience in bid cost estimation & report preparation.
- Experience as an ecological Clerk of Works.
- Strong report writing abilities with a track record in review-editing ecological deliverables.
- Strong adaptability for on-the-ground planning and flexible work choices.
Benefits & Perks
Financial Wellbeing
- Pension matching (4.5%–7%).
- Up to 4x life assurance cover, extendable to 6x salary.
- Income protection for long-term illness.
- Flexible benefits including higher life assurance, critical illness insurance, payroll savings, and will-writing services.
- Annual bonuses and financial rewards for business growth.
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Employee Ownership
- An employee-owned business where success is shared via performance bonuses, expanded with senior roles granting direct prioritise towards ownership measured through long-term contribution.
- Active influence over senior leadership on future business direction.
Health & Wellbeing
- Full private medical insurance.
- Comprehensive health cash plan to support everyday needs.
- Peppy menopause support for UK-based employees.
- Wide-range wellbeing support for you and your family.
- Flexiblity to augment your salary for tailored health benefits.
Lifestyle
- 33–35 days holiday annually, increasing to 35 days after 5-years’ service.
- Flexible leave buying/selling policies.
- Discounts with high-street retailers.
- Enhanced disability leave and Return-to-Work provisions.
Family & Carers
- 26 weeks paid maternity/adoption leave.
- 24 weeks paid shared parental leave at 100%.
- 5 additional days unpaid family leave (2 paid).
Learning & Development
- Primary annual professional institute subscriptions.
- Mentoring, training, and general skills upskilling programs.
Inclusion & Impact
- Advanced Employee Networks for LGBTQ+, gender, race/ethnicity, disability, parents/carers.
- Anticipated work on CSR and social initiatives contributing to local communities.
About Our Commitments
- Equality, Diversity, & Inclusion: We openly embrace talents of varied journeys to ensure fair opportunities.
- Agile Working: Hybrid models align with your individual productivity needs.
- Reasonable Adjustments: Known as reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com for accessibility support.
- Open Applications: No Skilled Worker visa sponsorship; welcomes alternative immigration routes.
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