Senior/Principal Botanist

The Vacancy
Advance Your Career as a Principal Botanist at Southern Ecological Solutions (SES)
Are you an experienced botanical expert looking to lead and inspire in a dynamic environment? Southern Ecological Solutions (SES), an innovative member of the RSK Group, is searching for a passionate
Principal Botanist
to join our thriving team. This full-time, permanent position offers a hybrid working model, ideal for candidates based in the
Midlands
or along the
M1 corridor
who can commute to our projects and offices in the region. Lead botanical projects, mentor a talented team, and help shape the future of ecological consultancy with SES

Why Join SES?
SES is a trusted consultancy specializing in Ecology, Arboriculture, and Landscape Planning & Design. For over a decade, we've built a reputation for delivering pragmatic, innovative solutions to clients ranging from global corporations to private homeowners.

At SES, you'll have the opportunity to advance your career while contributing to environmentally sustainable growth. Be part of a company that champions innovation and values its people as much as the environment.

Your Role

• Botanical Leadership & Expertise: Lead botanical surveys, habitat assessments, and vegetation mapping. Provide expert advice on plant identification, invasive species, habitat restoration, and other botanical matters.
• Project Oversight: Guide diverse projects from inception to completion, ensuring high-quality outcomes within timelines and budgets. Collaborate on complex ecological assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Team Development: Mentor and inspire a team of ecologists and junior botanists, fostering professional growth and driving a culture of excellence.
• Client Engagement: Build lasting relationships with clients, delivering tailored solutions and identifying opportunities for growth. Represent SES with professionalism and thought leadership.
• Compliance & Best Practice: Ensure all projects adhere to current legislation and industry standards, including ecological and planning policies.
• Collaboration Across Disciplines: Work closely with Arboriculture, Landscape Planning, and other teams within SES and the wider RSK Group to provide integrated solutions.

What We're Looking For

• Proven Botanical Expertise: Extensive experience in leading botanical surveys and vegetation assessments, with an in-depth knowledge of plant ecology and habitats in the UK.
• Qualifications: A degree in botany, plant sciences, ecology, or a related field. A postgraduate qualification is desirable.
• Licensing Mastery: Familiarity with protected species licensing and habitat management practices.
• Leadership Skills: Experience in mentoring and managing teams, with a track record of successfully delivering complex projects.
• Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated ability to build client relationships, identify business opportunities, and contribute to company growth.
• Commitment to Excellence: Strong understanding of environmental legislation, planning policy, and best practices in botanical consultancy.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: Earn between £45,000 - £55,000 based on experience and expertise.
• Birthday Leave: Take a day off to celebrate your special day.
• Life Assurance: Benefit from our life assurance plan for added peace of mind.
• Pension Contributions: Support your future with employer contributions to your pension.
• Generous Holidays: Start with 20 days (plus bank holidays), increasing annually up to 28 days.
• Private Medical Insurance: Access private healthcare to prioritize your well-being.
• Flexible Benefits Programme: Customize your perks, including additional holidays, health cash plans, and discounted gym memberships.

RSK Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

Join the SES team and make a meaningful impact on the environment while advancing your career as a Principal Botanist.

More Detailed Job Description Attached.
RSK will not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies other than RSK PSL or Secondary agencies.

About Us
We are a multi-disciplinary consultancy specialising in ecology, habitat management, arboriculture, and landscape design, based in Essex, UK. Since our company's founding, we have grown to become a leading UK provider of specialist ecological, arboricultural and landscape design consulting services. We are known for devising sustainable, pragmatic, and client-focused solutions. Our diverse portfolio includes clients in the fields of infrastructure, development, conservation charities and individual bespoke projects. Our business is continuing to expand into new markets, and we are forming new teams to meet future challenges.

SES has a team of 52 qualified ecologists, landscape architects, arboriculturists and coordination and support staff. Currently, we're working with Barratt Homes and the RSPB on a large residential housing development, Kingsbrook, a case study in the biodiversity net gain best practice principles for development. Our ecological work includes due diligence reporting, land appraisals, habitat design and creation, protected species surveys and ecological impact assessments. Landscape design and planning services teams specialise in strategic projects, combining an innovative and context-led approach to design.

SES is part of the RSK Group, a leading integrated environmental, engineering, and technical services business providing dynamic, multidisciplinary services to a wide range of sectors. RSK was founded in 1989 and has grown considerably since then.

At RSK, we operate as a group of businesses that work together seamlessly, aiming for growth through diversification. Our strategy helps us build a strong and resilient business, capable of weathering external challenges, while also providing greater value to our clients and more opportunities for our employees.

Since the beginning, our philosophy has remained the same: employ, develop and reward talented individuals. People are crucial to our company, and we recognise that our success hinges on our colleagues' growth. We're committed to preserving RSK's people-first culture, promoting innovation, and fostering a supportive and caring environment for collaboration. At RSK, we want you to be part of our successes and help you reach your career aspirations. We take pride in offering employees fulfilling and challenging careers by promoting ongoing growth and empowering individuals to excel.

We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We firmly believe that embracing and celebrating the diversity in our workforce makes us a stronger and more innovative company.

By providing workplace adjustments, we make it easier for people to confidently explore and pursue our career opportunities and recognise that flexibility is key to fostering a dynamic and thriving workplace. Many of our office-based positions benefit from a flexible working arrangement, allowing our team members to achieve a balance between professional and personal commitments.

We actively encourage applications from candidates of all genders, races, ethnicities, ages, neurotypes, religions or beliefs, sexual orientations, and those with disabilities.

If you're passionate about making a difference, join us as we work together to build a brighter, more equitable, and sustainable future for all. Do you have what it takes?