Principal / Associate Ecologist

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the division 
Environmental and social considerations are central to Mott MacDonald’s Purpose and its offerings across all sectors and territories. Our environment and social business provides essential services and innovative solutions which anticipate our clients' needs across all sectors.

About the role

Mott MacDonald is leading the way in Nature Services and seeks talented individuals to join our Ecology Team. Together with our clients, we aim to integrate nature into all developments to build a better future. We pride ourselves on high standards and are at the forefront of ecological advice, having written guidance, delivered training on BNG, and contributed to CIEEM’s raising standards documents.

We've developed innovative tools to efficiently manage ecological data, allowing our team to focus on making a difference. We've provided biodiversity advice to improve NHS hospitals, delivered nature-based solutions for water treatment and flood management, and overseen the production of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy. With a large portfolio of projects and a healthy forward-order book, there are fantastic opportunities for ecologists at all levels.

The East of England Ecology Team, spread across Norwich and Cambridge offices, consists of 22 members from Graduate to Technical Director Level. The Cambridge office is close to the train station, and the Norwich office is newly located at Broadland Business Park.

Joining our team at Associate Ecologist level, you will primarily be office-based but may engage in site work in your area of expertise. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, communities, and each other. Our success enables us to create a space where everyone feels empowered, included, and valued. We believe taking care of our people takes care of business.

Once settled, you will share responsibility for staff wellbeing, mentoring, and career development for the East of England Ecology Team and line manage some team members. You will work with the Regional Lead, Area Lead, and UK Ecology Team Lead to manage utilisation, appointments, training, and recruitment needs. Regular team briefings/meetings will ensure effective management and communication.

Projects span all stages of a project’s life cycle, offering opportunities to influence scheme design, enhancements, and promote best practices. Although part of the East of England ecology team, you will be connected to a larger team of ecologists with excellent career progression opportunities.

Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant. The role suits a dynamic, proactive team-player who wants to support the delivery of ecology services in a fast-moving, client-focused, commercial environment.

About you

Essential:

• Degree in Ecology (or a directly related subject). 
• Extensive experience in Ecological Consultancy (or equivalent with transferable skills)
• A Full Member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management or equivalent. Must be a Chartered Environmentalist, Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Biologist (or able to achieve this within 6 months)
• Ability to communicate effectively to multi-disciplinary teams, clients and regulators.
• Proficiency in report writing skills and a track record in acting as a checker / reviewer for ecological deliverables. 
• Technical specialism e.g. has held protected species mitigation licences or has advanced botanical skills etc.

Desirable

• An additional higher degree would be an advantage. 
• Experience of People Management
• Proven Project Management skills
• Experience of preparing costs and text for bids.
• Willingness to travel throughout the UK. 

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Agile working  

We are happy to talk openly about flexible working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace. 

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.