Senior Ecologist (Lizard Landscape and Ecology)

About Us
We are based in the offices of our sister company, UBU Design, a renowned landscape architecture practice located in Winchester. We are now looking to establish a dedicated ecology offering in Winchester, giving us the reach to support clients across Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire. Lizard is an award-winning ecology, arboriculture and landscape architecture practice, and this new venture represents a genuine opportunity to develop the brand further and to carve out your own niche within a well-established and respected business.

The Role
We are recruiting a Senior Ecologist to spearhead the development of a brand-new practice office dedicated to ecological consulting and environmental stewardship. This is a pivotal, ground-floor opportunity to shape our ecological services offering and to build strong client relationships from the very beginning. As a key driver in launching this new venture, you will bring your expertise in ecology, data analysis, environmental planning and commercial awareness together to create impactful solutions that promote biodiversity, sustainability and ecological resilience across our project portfolio.

You will have the opportunity to grow and develop your own team over time, with the ability to leverage the existing, experienced Lizard team based in Worthing for additional support and capacity. Day to day, you will lead ecological surveys and assessments, manage projects from inception through to delivery, and provide technical and strategic ecological advice to clients working across a varied and interesting project portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design and lead ecological surveys, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA), Phase 1 Habitat Surveys, and protected species surveys (bats, great crested newts, reptiles, badgers, dormice, etc.), as well as Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments
  • Prepare high-quality technical reports, including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), mitigation strategies and protected species licence applications
  • Manage projects and budgets, coordinating fieldwork schedules, junior ecologists and subcontractors
  • Liaise directly with clients, local planning authorities, Natural England and other statutory consultees
  • Provide ecological input into planning applications, including support at appeal where required
  • Undertake or oversee protected species licensing and mitigation supervision on site
  • Support business development activity, including bids, proposals and ongoing client relationship management
  • Work collaboratively alongside our in-house teams of landscape architects and arboriculturists
  • Identify and leverage opportunities for cross-referral projects within the wider STAT Group of Companies

About You

  • A degree (or equivalent) in Ecology, Conservation, Environmental Science or a related discipline
  • Full member of CIEEM (or working towards this), ideally holding, or actively progressing towards, Chartered Ecologist status
  • Relevant protected species survey licences (e.g. bat, great crested newt)
  • Significant post-qualification consultancy experience gained within the UK
  • Strong working knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy and BNG requirements
  • Proven report-writing and project management skills
  • A full UK driving licence, with a willingness to travel and undertake fieldwork, including early mornings, evenings and weekends as dictated by seasonal species survey windows

What We Offer

  • A supportive and collaborative team culture
  • Genuine opportunities for professional development
  • A competitive salary
  • The chance to make a real, lasting impact within a growing environmental consultancy, backed by the wider STAT Group
  • 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9:00am–5:30pm
  • A predominantly office-based role, reflecting the need to network internally
  • 24 days’ holiday per year plus bank holidays
  • Company pension scheme, with 3% employee and 5% employer contributions

UBU Design and Lizard Landscape are equal opportunities employers but regrettably we are unable to offer sponsorship to applicants, including Post Study Work Visa holders. For any questions about the role, please contact [email protected]. No agencies at this time, thank you.