Associate Director Ecology

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Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

What your new role will entail;

We have an opportunity for an Associate Ecologist to join our Nature team in the East and South East of England. The role will involve working as part of our experienced team, leading on the delivery of high-profile projects and championing the integration of nature into decision-making and project planning. The role can be based in our teams in Basingstoke or Croydon, or hybrid based to incorporate remote working.

As an Associate Ecologist the role will require you to:

• Lead the planning and delivery of ecological inputs for both internal and external clients ;
• Produce and technically review a range of ecological assessments including Preliminary Ecological Appraisal; Protected Species Baseline Reports; Ecological Impact Assessments; Habitats Regulations Assessment; and Biodiversity Net Gain Calculations;
• Provide technical leadership to support the delivery of proportionate and pragmatic solutions;
• Lead consultation and engagement with clients and key project stakeholders including planning authorities, statutory bodies and the public;
• Play a key role in the continued development of our technical capabilities and encourage the embedding of innovation/research;
• Lead the production of bids and tenders for ecological services;
• Mentor and support both junior staff and peers.

Being part of the team;

At AECOM, our commitment to shaping a sustainable future is embodied in our Environment & Sustainability Business which seamlessly integrates Nature, Planning & Communities, and Carbon & Advisory, and delivers solutions for our clients, promoting social and environmental benefit.

As an Associate Director with AECOM you would be part of our Nature team, which comprises experts in ecology and natural capital and is dedicated to pioneering innovative solutions to support a nature positive future. From large-scale ecological survey programmes to integrating nature into decision-making and investment planning, our team champions nature-based solutions.

With a wealth of experience, knowledge, and specialist skill sets, our Ecology team includes national and global leaders located across the UK and Republic of Ireland, from species licence holders to experts in impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, enhancement, and management. Our Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) professionals not only influence policy and guidance but steer practical and collaborative design decisions that promote positive outcomes.

Our AECOM Nature team in the East and South East of England comprises approximately 30 staff based across our Basingstoke, Cambridge and Croydon offices. We are a close-knit team working collaboratively to deliver a diverse portfolio of projects both large and small. Current projects include a large number associated with the green energy transition where we have supported several of the largest Development Consent Order (DCO) applications for solar farms, as well as major power infrastructure upgrades. We also support water companies, the defence industry and infrastructure owners and are working with local authorities to undertake Habitat Regulations Assessments of local plans and policies and support urban regeneration schemes. There is also the opportunity to support overseas projects where this is desirable.

The role offers the opportunity to develop your experience as part of our highly experienced team and help deliver groundbreaking projects that can deliver meaningful biodiversity gains. Ours is a supportive and growing team which provides excellent career support and development and is part of a wider group of technical experts that includes EIA specialists, arborists, planners, engineers, and landscape architects, which enables knowledge sharing and support across the business.

Qualifications

Here's what we will need from you;

• Degree (or equivalent) in ecology or an associated subject
• Membership of an appropriate professional institution and working towards or obtained Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Environmentalist status;
• Excellent knowledge of relevant wildlife legislation and policy;
• Excellent communication and reporting skills;
• Experience of leading and managing ecological surveys/licensing/impact assessment (as relevant to your areas of specialisms) as demonstrated by suitable professional experience;
• Experience in managing projects, project budgets and leading stakeholder discussions;
• Experience of reviewing/verifying technical work and supporting wider team members;
• Experience of bidding/tendering;
• Holder of protected species survey and/or mitigation licences.

Additional Information

You can learn more about us here: 2023 AECOM Candidate Brochure (adobe.com)

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About AECOM

AECOM is the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you're working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion - a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We're the world's trusted global infrastructure firm, and we're in this together - your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you'll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm - access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person's potential, and we'll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ReqID: J10103047

Business Line: Environment

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India

Career Area: Science

Work Location Model: Hybrid