Technical Director, Ecology - South West Regional Lead
About this role
Lead and grow a thriving ecology team across the South West
SLR is a global leader in sustainability solutions, working with clients to help make sustainability happen, within a collaborative, people-first culture.
We are seeking an experienced Ecology professional to join us as Ecology and Biodiversity Regional Manager – South West, sitting at our Principal or Technical Director grade. Reporting to the Operations Director and working closely with the European Practice Lead for Ecology & Biodiversity, you will play a key leadership role in the day-to-day management and strategic direction of the South West region. This position can be based from our Cardiff, Bristol, Bradford on Avon or Exeter offices.
This opportunity has arisen as part of a planned leadership transition. You'll benefit from a comprehensive handover from the current Regional Manager, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience and a strong platform for future success.
You will work closely with regional and national leadership teams while supporting the delivery of complex and high-profile projects across a diverse client base. The role includes:
- Leading and developing a team of ecology professionals through mentoring, performance management and recruitment
- Overseeing regional financial performance, including budgeting, forecasting and resource planning
- Supporting project resourcing and providing regional operational updates
- Guiding Project Managers and Project Directors on the successful delivery of complex and high-value projects
- Coordinating regional strategy to align local priorities with wider business objectives
- Building relationships across the business and representing SLR at industry events and professional networks
- Collaborating with Ecology & Biodiversity leaders across the UK and Europe to drive consistency and best practice
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
About You
- Substantial experience in ecology, ideally gained within an environmental consultancy environment, working across multiple sectors
- A relevant degree and appropriate membership of CIEEM or an equivalent professional body
- Significant people leadership, mentoring and team management experience
- Extensive project management experience, including delivery of complex, high-value projects
- Commercial awareness, including experience of resource planning and financial management
- A passion for delivering high-quality ecological work and supporting the development of others
- A driving licence that permits you to legally drive in the UK
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 Technical Director, Ecology role feels like a great fit for your experience and ambitions, we’d love to hear from you.
#LI-LM1
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 Insurance
- Income Insurance
- 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
Tired of cold applications?
Sign up with Clera and we'll reach out the moment a role actually fits you — no more spraying applications into the void.
Know someone who'd be great for this?