Strategic Ecologist

The Opportunity

EMEC is an established environmental consultancy delivering ecology, land management and project management services across infrastructure, development and the public and private sectors. Our work ranges from specialist environmental consultancy to major multidisciplinary projects, bringing together our own teams, subcontractors and partners to deliver practical solutions for clients and lasting benefits for nature. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, all our profits go directly to supporting its work for nature.

We are looking for an experienced ecologist to work on some of EMEC's largest and most strategic projects. This is a role that combines strong ecological expertise with strategic thinking, long-term projects and practical delivery.

You will build close working relationships with a small portfolio of major clients and develop a detailed understanding of their operations, environmental commitments and long-term biodiversity and land management goals. Working alongside the Project Managers who lead the overall relationships and contracts, you will turn those ambitions into practical strategies, plans and interventions.

Working across EMEC's Project Management, Ecology and Land Management teams, you will provide ecological expertise throughout the life of major projects. This could include establishing ecological baselines, developing biodiversity strategies and action plans, identifying and prioritising opportunities, developing habitat management and monitoring approaches, and working with delivery teams to put plans into practice.

This is a role for someone who can see the bigger picture while understanding what it takes to make it happen. You will need to interpret complex ecological information, understand client needs and operational constraints and work with project teams to turn ecological objectives into effective delivery and longer-term benefits for nature.

Alongside your principal major project responsibilities, you will remain part of EMEC's wider ecological delivery, undertaking other ecological consultancy and project work selectively according to business and client needs. This provides variety in the role and allows you to maintain and develop your broader technical ecology skills.

What you'll be doing

• Provide strategic ecological expertise across a small portfolio of major and long-term client projects.
• Work with Project Managers to develop a detailed understanding of client objectives, operations and priorities and shape the ecological approach accordingly.
• Help translate biodiversity, nature recovery and land management objectives into practical and deliverable plans.
• Establish and interpret ecological baselines, constraints and opportunities across sites, estates and programmes.
• Develop biodiversity strategies, action plans, habitat management approaches and monitoring frameworks.
• Identify and prioritise opportunities that can deliver meaningful benefits for nature while recognising operational, regulatory and commercial requirements.
• Define ecological scopes and work with Project Managers to plan programmes, resources and specialist input.
• Provide ecological input throughout mobilisation and delivery, helping ensure strategic objectives translate into effective action on the ground.
• Coordinate and guide ecologists, specialists, subcontractors and partners contributing to projects.
• Work closely with Land Management and other delivery teams to turn ecological recommendations into practical interventions.
• Use monitoring, data and project learning to assess outcomes and inform future action.
• Support tenders, proposals and the development of further work with major clients.
• Undertake ecological surveys, assessments, reporting, QA, and other consultancy work outside major projects when required.

What we're looking for

We are looking for an experienced ecologist who combines strong technical knowledge with the ability to understand the wider context in which clients operate and turn ecological objectives into practical delivery.

You will bring:

• Strong professional ecology experience, including habitat assessment, ecological survey and mitigation.
• Good understanding of biodiversity, habitat management and nature recovery and their practical application.
• Experience developing ecological strategies, action plans, management plans or similar longer-term ecological outputs.
• Experience working directly with clients and multidisciplinary project teams.
• The ability to interpret ecological information and use it to identify priorities and practical interventions.
• Experience planning and coordinating ecological work involving other specialists or delivery teams.
• Strong knowledge of relevant wildlife and environmental legislation and professional practice.
• Strong technical report writing and communication skills.
• Good judgement and the ability to balance ecological outcomes with practical project requirements.
• A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.
• Associate or Full membership of CIEEM, or demonstrable eligibility and willingness to achieve an appropriate membership level.
• A full UK driving licence.

Experience of major infrastructure, utilities, transport, large estates or other long-term environmental programmes would be particularly valuable. Experience of BNG, biodiversity action planning, habitat management and monitoring plans, GIS and spatial analysis, protected-species work and landscape-scale nature recovery would also be an advantage.

We do not expect one person to bring every ecological specialism. For this role, breadth of ecological understanding, strategic thinking and the ability to connect ecological objectives with practical delivery are particularly important.

Why join us?

Let’s be honest, not all ecological consultancies are the same. At EMEC. we want to do the very best for nature and ALL of our profits are gift-aided to the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust to support conservation directly on the ground.

We also want to do the best for you. Our benefits include:

• Flexible working options
• Generous employer pension contribution
• Health payment plan
• Personalised development programme
• A multi-disciplinary business

Apply Now by submitting a 2 page CV and 1 page cover letter outlining how you meet the requirements as detailed in this advert, Job Description and Person Specification.

Additional information

• The role involves regular fieldwork, including overnight, evening, early morning and occasional weekend work during survey seasons. EMEC operates flexible working, TOIL and paid overtime arrangements.
• Travel will be required, so a driving licence is essential.
• This post is subject to a Basic DBS Check.
• Interview date: Week commencing 19th October and 26th October

Making your application

Adjustments - If you require any adjustments to make our recruitment process more accessible, please let us know by contacting the HR team at HR@nottswt.co.uk

Employment checks - We are committed to safeguarding our employees; safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk; and mitigating the risk to our business of financial and/or data fraud. Applicants must be willing to undergo pre-employment checks with past employers; Disclosure and Barring Service checks at the eligible level; right to work checks and driving licence checks (where applicable).

Please do not use artificial intelligence tools to assist you to complete the application form. We may not accept applications that have been completed utilising AI tools. If you would usually use tools such as these to assist you in filling in a form, please contact HR@nottswt.co.uk to discuss this further and understand other options.