Senior Ecologist

An established and growing environmental consultancy in Southampton is seeking an experienced Senior Ecologist to play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality ecological services across the South of England. This is an opportunity for a commercially aware, technically strong ecologist to shape projects from inception to completion-working across residential, commercial, infrastructure, and conservation schemes. The successful candidate will bring expertise, leadership, and strategic insight to a dynamic and collaborative team. What's on Offer; Competitive salary based on experience Flexible and hybrid working arrangements Paid professional memberships and CPD support Clear pathway to Associate level and beyond A collaborative, forward-thinking culture Opportunity to shape strategy within a growing consultancy As a Senior Ecologist you will; Lead and manage a diverse portfolio of ecological projects Design and oversee surveys (PEA, protected species, BNG, habitat condition assessments) Produce high-quality technical reports and review work from junior team members Provide strategic ecological input at planning and design stages Mentor and develop early-career ecologists Build and maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships The ideal candidate will offer; Extensive field survey experience and protected species knowledge Strong report writing and project management capability A sound understanding of planning policy and biodiversity net gain Protected species licences (desirable) Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIEEM) A proactive, solutions-focused mindset This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated Senior Ecologist to take the next step in their career-leading projects that make a measurable difference to biodiversity while contributing to the growth and success of a respected environmental practice in Southampton. If you'd like to hear more about the role, please contact Ashleigh Garner from Penguin Recruitment