Senior Ecologist
About this role
SLR is a global leader in sustainability solutions, helping clients make sustainability happen through a collaborative, people-first culture.
Due to continued growth within our highly successful Ecology business, we are seeking an experienced Senior Ecologist to join our established team, delivering high-profile projects across the UK and Ireland.
Based in Bury St Edmunds the role will focus primarily on renewable energy, infrastructure and residential development projects, with additional exposure to a wide range of commercial developments spanning the renewables, infrastructure, industrial and built environment sectors.
Rewards & Benefits
SLR's ‘One Team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment where people can develop and grow. Through a structured career framework, regular performance reviews, and support towards chartership, professional qualifications and licences, we offer excellent opportunities for long-term career progression. Our flexible benefits and reward package includes:
- Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
- Company pension
- Private medical insurance
- Life, income, and travel insurance
- Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle‑to‑work schemes
- Volunteering and Community Giving
- Flexible, hybrid and agile working
- 25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays
- Buy or sell leave options
- Core working hours
- Cross‑border remote working and sabbatical opportunities
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay
- Workplace Nursery benefit
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Specialist support for mental health, stress and menopause - supporting our people both professionally and personally
The Role
You'll play a key role in the delivery and management of ecological projects, working closely with clients, project teams and multidisciplinary colleagues. The role includes:
- Managing ecological projects from inception through to completion
- Supporting team leads with resource planning, programme management and financial budgets
- Producing and reviewing ecological appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs), licence applications, EPS licences and other technical reports
- Building and maintaining strong client relationships, addressing feedback and ensuring effective project communication
- Mentoring and developing junior ecologists across the team
- Undertaking ecological surveys where required and ensuring surveys are delivered to appropriate technical standards
- Supporting the preparation of fee proposals and contributing to business development activities
- Collaborating with planners, archaeologists, arboriculturists, landscape architects, engineers and other environmental specialists on multidisciplinary projects
About You
- Demonstrable experience in ecological consultancy, with the ability to lead projects and mentor colleagues
- A degree in Ecology or a related environmental discipline
- Experience managing ecological projects and delivering work to the standards required by planning authorities, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and other statutory consultees
- Experience preparing a wide range of technical reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), ES Chapters and Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs)
- Experience preparing and submitting protected species and mitigation licence applications
- At least one protected species survey licence; a bat licence would be advantageous
- Strong knowledge of UK and European ecological legislation, policy and guidance
- Qualifying Member (or higher) status with CIEEM
- Strong technical reporting, project management and stakeholder engagement skills
- A driving licence that permits you to legally drive in the UK and access to a vehicle for site visits
We welcome applications from experienced ecologists looking to take the next step into project management, as well as more senior candidates with strengths in client relationship management and business development. The role can be adapted to reflect the experience and aspirations of the successful candidate.
Culture & Inclusion
Inclusion is fundamental to who we are. We are committed to equal opportunities and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, supported by active Culture & Inclusion Committees and Employee Networks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.
If this role feels like a great fit for your experience and ambitions, we’d love to hear from you.
Company at a glance
SLR is a committed partner in our clients’ sustainability journeys.
We help them move from influence to impact, turning intent into purposeful, practical action that delivers real-world results.
Guided by our philosophy of Rational Sustainability, we focus on what truly drives long-term value. By viewing decisions through the lenses of risk, reward, and resilience, we help clients act with confidence, balancing environmental and social responsibility with commercial and strategic success.
Our purpose - Making Sustainability Happen - means delivering outcomes that are grounded in evidence, shaped by experience, and built to last.
SLR has been advising clients for over 30 years at every point of their project life-cycle. Starting as a UK business, we now operate as a global company with more than 4,500 people delivering client solutions across six regions. We have grown both organically and through welcoming other like-minded businesses with a similar One Team culture into the SLR group. We are ably supported by our principal investor, Ares Management, and will continue to build a balanced, successful and growing business.
We’ve designed working life at SLR to look a little different. Because we know talented people often feel restricted by the rigid systems, lack of cross-functional collaboration and limited options for growth on offer elsewhere.
Our One Team culture promotes meaningful professional and personal growth, our flat management structure provides many opportunities to progress, and our collaborative approach means you’ll get the chance to work on projects you care about and make a real difference.
If you’re purpose-driven, self-motivated and keen to make an impact on a global scale, we want to hear from you.
Top Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Discretionary bonus
- Company pension
- Private medical insurance
- Life, income, and travel insurance
- Salary sacrifice car lease
- Cycle-to-work schemes
- Volunteering and community giving
- Flexible, hybrid and agile working
- 25 days annual leave
- Flexible public holidays
- Buy or sell leave options
- Core working hours
- Cross-border remote working
- Sabbatical opportunities
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay
- Workplace nursery benefit
- Employee assistance programme
- Mental health, stress and menopause support
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