Job title: Senior Ecologist
Job type: Permanent
Emp type: Full-time
Industry: Infrastructure
Functional Expertise: Environmental Sustainability
Salary: Negotiable
Location: Winchester, UK
Job ID: 32974

Job Description

Looking to deliver ecological leadership on one of the South East’s most complex infrastructure schemes?

We’re seeking a Senior Site Ecologist to take a leading role on a major highways project near Winchester, managing ecological deliverables through construction while ensuring legislative compliance and environmental protection.

This is a full-time site-based position, offering daily variety, strong project ownership, and the opportunity to work in a complex and sensitive ecological setting.

About the Project

This nationally significant highways scheme is focused on the redesign of a motorway junction, including an underpass, new slip roads and complex cut-and-fill earthworks. The project area presents ecological sensitivities including hazel dormice, bats, badgers and high-value habitats.

You’ll be the ecological lead on site - engaging with consultant ECoW’s, contractors, and construction managers to coordinate surveys, mitigations and licensing requirements in a fast-paced and highly regulated environment.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Coordinate and manage ecological delivery during construction
  • Act as the day-to-day ecological lead, attending briefings and working alongside site teams
  • Oversee consultant ECoW input and ensure correct levels of ecological coverage on site
  • Address protected species constraints and secure compliance with relevant licences
  • Provide on-the-ground support and advice to operational teams and stakeholders
  • Engage regularly with regulators and environmental advisors to ensure successful project outcomes

What We’re Looking For

  • Previous experience in ecology, including construction-phase site work
  • One or more protected species licences - ideally hazel dormouse or bat (Level 1 or 2)
  • Strong knowledge of ecological legislation and infrastructure project delivery
  • Confident communicator with the gravitas to influence decisions on a live site
  • Degree in ecology or related subject preferred; relevant experience will also be considered
  • CIEEM membership desirable (funding support available)
  • Full UK driving licence

What’s on Offer

  • Competitive basic salary
  • Company car
  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Private healthcare (for you and partner)
  • Paid professional memberships (e.g. CIEEM)
  • Generous employer pension scheme
  • Permanent, full-time role
  • Ongoing Training & Development opportunities
  • Family-Friendly Policies (including enhanced parental leave)
  • Share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…
  • Strong progression potential into other regional infrastructure projects post-completion

Why Join?

  • This role offers the chance to lead ecology on a high-profile project where your expertise and decision-making will directly shape construction outcomes. 
  • You’ll be working in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment where no two days are the same. 
  • Backed by a supportive environment and sustainability team, you’ll have the platform to grow your career in ecological leadership within major infrastructure delivery.

Apply now through Sustainable Futures Group (SFG) – Global Recruitment Experts in Sustainability, ESG & HSE.