Salary: £55000 – £70000/annum hybrid/ flexible working, enhanced l
Permanent – Full Time
Construction
York, North Yorkshire
date posted: 2026-07-16 12:22:04
Principal Ecologist
Location
York, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh
Salary
£55,000 – £70,000
Employment Type
Permanent, full-time or part-time
Job Overview
A permanent opportunity for a Principal Ecologist to lead ecological commissions across energy infrastructure and residential development projects. Based from one of several regional offices with hybrid working and travel across northern England, the position suits an experienced ecological consultant with strong technical, project management and mentoring capabilities.
Role & Responsibilities
Lead ecological commissions from inception through completion
Manage EcIA, HRA and BNG projects
Review reports and maintain technical quality
Mentor ecologists and support consistent standards
Manage clients, budgets, resources and programmes
You will contribute to bids and tenders, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and represent the practice at relevant industry events. The position combines technical delivery with responsibility for developing ecology services and supporting future team growth.
Skills & Experience Required
Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or equivalent
Significant ecological consultancy experience
Strong EcIA, HRA and BNG expertise
Proven project and budget management experience
CIEEM membership or equivalent professional membership
You must demonstrate excellent technical reporting and review skills, alongside detailed knowledge of UK planning policy, ecological legislation and best practice. A full UK driving licence is required for travel between offices and project sites.
Protected species licensing, major infrastructure, NSIP, mentoring or line management experience would be beneficial. Applicants should be comfortable maintaining client relationships while working collaboratively across environmental and development disciplines.
Salary & Benefits
£55,000 – £70,000, hybrid working and flexible full-time or part-time arrangements. Benefits include enhanced leave, pension contributions, death in service cover, protected CPD, professional membership support, private medical insurance, wellbeing support, cycle-to-work provision and a non-contractual growth bonus.
About Hunter Dunning
Hunter Dunning is a specialist property and built environment recruitment consultancy established in 2004, focused on quality and long-term partnerships in the UK and Ireland property and construction market. We specialise in full lifecycle property recruitment, covering architecture, interior design, surveying, land and planning, fire safety and wider construction roles.
Apply Section
If you meet the criteria above, send us your CV and portfolio. We receive a large number of applications so if you do not hear back within 7 days consider your application unsuccessful this time. We will keep a copy of your details on file for future vacancies. All applications are handled in strict confidence.
Referral Section
Did you know we run a referral scheme? We pay a £1000 referral bonus if you introduce us to anyone who we then successfully place in a new job role. Just send us their information and we’ll do the rest. See website for full terms & conditions.
