Associate Ecologist – Department Lead (Consult Sustain)

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced ecologist to join Consult Sustain as our lead ecology consultant and department head. You will build and manage our ecology team, lead client delivery, and drive business development. This hybrid role combines hands-on ecological expertise with leadership and business development.

  The Opportunity

Consult Sustain delivers specialist sustainability and ecology services to architects, developers, and planning consultants across the UK. We work on high-profile residential, commercial, and mixed-use schemes, often at planning application and detailed design stages. You will lead our ecology offering, manage project delivery, develop client relationships, and position Consult Sustain as a trusted ecology partner.

  Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver Phase 1 and Phase 2 ecological appraisals, including Extended Phase 1, for planning applications and environmental statements.
• Conduct and supervise Biodiversity Net Gain assessments using the statutory habitat metric, including desktop and field surveys.
• Manage specialist surveys covering breeding and wintering birds, bats, including activity, emergence/return and roost characterisation, great crested newts, reptiles, invertebrates, aquatic ecology, and protected species licensing liaison.
• Undertake seasonal and year-round surveys in accordance with ecological standards and guidance.
• Develop and mentor junior ecology staff, ensuring quality delivery and technical compliance.
• Lead client relationships, providing clear communication and managing project scope and timelines.
• Identify new opportunities through planning consultants, architects, developers, and housing associations.
• Build industry relationships and support business development.
• Contribute to fee proposals and project budgeting, ensuring projects remain profitable and on track.
• Ensure compliance with BS 42020, the CIEEM Code of Professional Conduct, and relevant wildlife legislation.
• Support integrated sustainability and ecology services alongside BREEAM, energy, and design teams.

  Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, or a related biological discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Current or recent CIEEM membership, or membership of an equivalent professional body.
• At least five years’ professional ecology experience in UK built environment consultancy or environmental assessment.
• Hands-on experience delivering Phase 1 and Phase 2 ecological appraisals for planning applications.
• Experience with BNG assessments and habitat metric calculations.
• Competence in at least two areas: breeding birds, bats, great crested newts, reptiles, or invertebrates.
• Knowledge of BS 42020, CIEEM guidelines, and relevant legislation, including the Wildlife and Countryside Act and Environment Act 2021.
• Experience managing client relationships and project delivery.
• Strong communication and report-writing skills, with the ability to liaise with planning authorities and ecologists.

  Desirable

• Protected species survey licences for bats, great crested newts, or protected birds, or experience supporting licensed activity.
• Experience using iRecord, biological recording databases, or GIS.
• Familiarity with planning policy and sustainable development in England, including the London Plan, Future Homes Standard, and biodiversity net gain policy.
• Experience or interest in environmental statements or EIA screening.
• Business development or team management experience.
• Interest in sustainability, BREEAM, energy, and design.

  What We Offer

• Competitive salary reflecting experience and CIEEM status.
• Opportunity to lead and grow our ecology practice.
• Hybrid working based at our Bromley office, with flexibility for client meetings and fieldwork.
• Professional development and support for CIEEM CPD.
• High-quality residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects.
• Collaboration with architects, planners, and sustainability specialists.
• Clear progression to senior consultant or associate roles.
• Pension, health insurance, and standard employment benefits.

  About Consult Sustain

Consult Sustain is a Bromley-based specialist sustainability and ecology consultancy. We provide BREEAM assessments, energy modelling, overheating analysis, ecology and biodiversity net gain, whole life carbon, and sustainability strategies across the UK. Our projects range from small residential conversions to major mixed-use regeneration schemes.

  How to Apply

Please send your CV, a covering letter of no more than one page outlining your interest and relevant experience, and contact details for two professional references to: