Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Principal Ecologist to play a key role in delivering high-quality ecological consultancy services to UK projects. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership across a wide range of sectors including transport, energy, water, development, and major infrastructure projects.

The role involves leading ecological assessments, managing complex projects, mentoring ecologists, supporting business development activities, and working closely with UK-based teams to ensure delivery excellence. The Principal Ecologist will act as a trusted technical advisor, ensuring that ecological deliverables meet relevant UK legislation, policy requirements, and company quality standards. This role also supports the growth and development of GCC Ecology capability through technical innovation, knowledge sharing, and staff development.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership

Oversee delivery of ecological projects across a broad range of sectors.
Provide technical review and sign-off of ecological reports and assessments.
Deliver and review:

Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA)
Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA)
Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRA)
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments
Protected species assessments and mitigation strategies
Habitat Management Plans
Arboricultural and ecological constraints assessments
Natural Capital assessments

Provide expert advice on UK ecological legislation, planning policy, and biodiversity requirements.
Ensure consistency, quality, and compliance of ecological deliverables.

Project Management

Develop project scopes, budgets, work plans, and resource forecasts.
Monitor project performance against programme, budget, quality, and risk objectives.
Identify and manage technical, commercial, and delivery risks.
Coordinate multidisciplinary project interfaces with environmental, planning, engineering, GIS, and other technical teams.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

Act as a key point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.
Build strong relationships with UK project teams and clients.
Participate in client meetings and contribute specialist ecological advice.
Support successful project delivery through proactive communication and collaboration.

Business Development

Support preparation of bids, tenders, and technical proposals.
Identify opportunities for growth of ecological services.
Contribute to capability statements, case studies, and thought leadership initiatives.
Support development of new service offerings aligned with market trends and client needs.

Team Development & Mentoring

Mentor and coach ecologists and assistant ecologists.
Provide technical guidance and support career development of team members.
Contribute to recruitment, onboarding, and technical training initiatives.
Promote sharing of best practice and lessons learned across the ecology team.

Health, Safety & Quality

Demonstrate leadership in Health, Safety, Wellbeing, and Environmental culture.
Ensure compliance with company quality assurance procedures.
Support continuous improvement initiatives and implementation of best practices.

Qualifications

Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biological Sciences, Zoology, Conservation Biology, or related discipline.
Master's degree in a relevant subject desirable.

Experience

Significant experience working within ecological consultancy, preferably supporting UK projects.
Proven track record in leading ecological assessments and managing complex projects.
Experience working within multidisciplinary infrastructure and development projects.
Strong understanding of:

Biodiversity Net Gain
Protected species legislation
UKHab classification
Habitat Regulations
Environmental Impact Assessment processes
UK planning framework

Experience managing project teams and mentoring junior staff.

Professional Membership

Full member of CIEEM/Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) or progressing towards chartership desirable.

Key Skills & Competencies

Strong technical ecology expertise.
Excellent report writing and technical review skills.
Project and commercial management capability.
Leadership and mentoring skills.
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
Strategic thinking and problem-solving ability.
Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and international teams.
High standards of professional integrity and quality.

Desirable Skills

Expertise in Biodiversity Net Gain assessments.
Experience with GIS software (ArcGIS / QGIS).
Knowledge of natural capital and ecosystem services assessments.
Experience managing large framework commissions.
Experience supporting digital innovation within ecological services.
Project management qualifications or training.

Success Measures

The Principal Ecologist will be successful when they:

Deliver technically excellent ecological outputs.
Maintain strong client and UK stakeholder relationships.
Consistently achieve project delivery, utilisation, and quality objectives.
Support growth of GCC Ecology capability and technical excellence.
Develop and mentor future ecological leaders.

BGV:

Employment with WSP India is subject to the successful completion of a background verification (BGV) check conducted by a third-party agency appointed by WSP India.
Candidates are advised to ensure that all information provided during the recruitment process — including documents uploaded — is accurate and complete, both to WSP India and its BGV partner.

About Us

WSP is one of the world's leading professional services consulting firms. We are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower. We are technical experts and strategic advisors including engineers, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors and environmental specialists, as well as other design, program and construction management professionals. We design lasting solutions in the Transportation & Infrastructure, Property & Buildings, Earth & Environment, Power & Energy, Resources and Industry sectors, as well as offering strategic advisory services. Our talented people around the globe engineer projects that will help societies grow for lifetimes to come.

With approximately 4,000 talented people across 3 locations (Noida, Bengaluru & Mumbai offices) in India and more than 73,000 globally, in 550 offices across 40 countries, we engineer projects that will help societies grow for lifetimes to come.

At WSP we draw on the diverse skills and capabilities of our employees globally to compete for the most exciting and complex projects across the world and bring the same level of expertise to our local communities. We are proud to be an international collective of innovative thinkers who work on the most complex problems. Unified under one strong brand, we use our local expertise, international reach and global scale to prepare our cities and environments for the future, connect communities and help societies thrive in built and natural ecosystems. True to our guiding principles, our business is built on four cornerstones: Our People, Our Clients, Our Operational Excellence and Our Expertise.

www.wsp.com

We are

Passionate people doing purposeful and sustainable work that helps shape our communities and the future.
A collaborative team that thrives on challenges and unconventional thinking.
A network of experts channeling our curiosity into creating solutions for complex issues.

Inspired by diversity, driven by inclusion, we work with passion and purpose.

Working with Us

At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

Our Hybrid Working Module

With us, you can operate in a flexible, agile, yet structured work environment and follow a Hybrid Work Model.

Maximize collaboration.
Maintain product quality and cultural integrity.
Balance community, collaboration, opportunity, productivity, and efficiency.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

Our people are our greatest asset, and we prioritize a safe work environment. Health, safety, and wellbeing are integral to our culture, with each of us accountable for fostering a safe workplace through our Making Health and Safety Personal initiative. Our Zero Harm Vision drives us to reduce risks through innovative solutions, earning recognition for our global health and safety practices with the prestigious RoSPA Health and Safety Awards for six consecutive years.

Inclusivity and Diversity

WSP India is dedicated to fostering a sustainable and inclusive work environment where our greatest strength - Our People -feel valued, respected, and supported. We ensure an unbiased approach in hiring, promotion, and performance evaluation, regardless of age, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, physical ability, education, social status, or cultural background.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of over 73,300 talented global professionals dedicated to making a positive impact. Together, we can make a difference in communities both near and far.

With us, you can.

Apply today.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.

Principal Consultant - Ecology