Head of Ecology (UK&I)

Job Description

The UK&I GCC Head of Ecology (E&E) is expected to demonstrate effective and visible leadership, focusing on employee engagement, retention, and capability development. The role will build high-performing teams that deliver ecological services to UK clients, supporting infrastructure planning and environmental consents projects.

This position involves close collaboration with the UK&I Ecology and other Earth & Environment teams within the E&E Business Unit in UK & GCC. The Head of Ecology will provide strategic guidance on attracting talent, improving team utilization, embedding consistent ecological practices, and ensuring high-quality delivery of biodiversity and ecological services. The role is growth-oriented, supporting our ambition to expand GCC Ecology through new service lines, capability building, and delivering high-value ecological services that meet evolving UK market needs.

Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and represent the India-based Ecology team (covering terrestrial, aquatic, marine, and biodiversity services) as the primary point of contact, collaborating with WSP UK Ecology and E&E teams.
• Support workforce planning, recruitment, and onboarding to meet growth targets
• Oversee local compliance with health, safety, welfare, risk management, and environmental legislation.
• Foster a one team UK–GCC culture, encouraging open communication and collaboration.
  
  

Capability Development

• Shape and grow GCC's Ecology discipline, including biodiversity net gain, habitat assessments, ecological surveys, and conservation planning.
• Ensuring ecological reports, assessments, and deliverables meet UK standards and quality assurance.
• Build strong understanding of UK ecological priorities (e.g., biodiversity net gain, protected species, habitat restoration) to align GCC recruitment and capability development.
• Mentor teams in preparing ecological impact assessments, habitat management plans, biodiversity strategies, and supporting planning applications under UK legislation.
  
  

UK Integration & Ways of Working

• Promote GCC Ecology achievements within UK E&E and the wider GCC business.
• Seek feedback on team performance and convert challenges into opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with UK Ecology and GCC leads to identify qualified staff for projects, balancing scope, schedule, budget, and quality.
• Support technical governance of GCC deliverables to align with UK Ecology standards.
  
  

Client / External Focus – Delivery Oversight

• Act as a key liaison with UK Ecology leadership, promoting GCC capabilities and ensuring success.
• Review audits and ensure adherence to WSP quality processes, implementing corrective measures where needed.
• Stay updated on UK ecological policy, biodiversity legislation, and competitor activity.
• Ensure GCC Ecology contributes effectively to bids, proposals, case studies, and client pursuits.
  
  

People – Capability Evolution

• Manage GCC Ecology resource utilization, forecasting, and cross-selling opportunities.
• Inspire staff towards professional memberships (e.g., Chartered Ecologist, CIEEM).
• Lead appraisals, performance reviews, and succession planning.
• Mentor and coach team members towards qualifications in ecology and environmental sciences.
• Actively reshape the capability mix towards digital ecology tools (GIS, remote sensing, ecological modelling).
  
  

Success in this Role Means

• Strong, trusted UK–GCC relationships in ecology.
• High utilization and predictable deployment of ecological teams.
• New ecological capabilities built and embedded.
• High-quality ecological delivery aligned to UK standards.
• Clear, scalable operating model between UK and GCC.
• Growing, motivated Ecology E&E team.
• Demonstrable shift towards digital and data-led ecological services.
• Tangible GCC Ecology team actively supporting UK projects.
  
  

Key Competencies / Skills

• Senior leadership experience in UK ecological consulting, biodiversity, and environmental planning.
• Proven GCC delivery model management with UK stakeholder engagement.
• Strong governance, quality assurance, workforce planning, and utilization management.
• Commercial awareness with contributions to ecological bids and proposals.
• Excellent communication and ability to explain complex ecological issues to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience preparing ecological assessments under UK legislation (e.g., Wildlife and Countryside Act, Habitats Regulations, Biodiversity Net Gain requirements).
• Awareness of emerging ecological technologies (GIS, eDNA, remote sensing).
  
  

Desirable Skills

• Chartered Ecologist (CIEEM) or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Experience establishing or scaling GCC ecology teams supporting UK/global markets.
  
  

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Conservation Biology, or related discipline.
• 18–20 years of diverse experience in ecological consultancy, biodiversity assessments, UK planning processes, environmental legislation, renewable energy projects, infrastructure ecology, project management, and leadership in consulting environments.
  
  

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.