Associate Ecologist
Lead Ecological Growth and Shape Sustainable Development Across London and the South East
Tetra Tech is seeking to recruit an Associate Ecologist to join our Ecology team based in London. This is an exciting opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our ecology business, supporting a diverse portfolio of residential-led regeneration, commercial development, infrastructure, aviation, data centre, logistics, urban greening and major transport projects across London and the South East.
Working alongside planners, environmental managers, landscape architects and engineers, you will help clients navigate planning requirements, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), protected species constraints and wider environmental considerations within one of the UK's most dynamic development markets. This role offers the opportunity to combine technical leadership, project delivery, client development and team management while contributing to some of the UK's most high-profile projects.
Purpose & Scope of the Role
As an Associate Ecologist, you will lead the delivery of complex ecological projects across a broad range of sectors, providing strategic ecological advice and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality technical outputs. You will act as a Project Director or Technical Lead on key commissions, overseeing project teams, managing client relationships and driving commercial performance.
You will play a key role in developing and maintaining client accounts, identifying opportunities for growth and supporting business development activities. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, you will contribute to integrated environmental solutions that support sustainable development while achieving client objectives.
Alongside project responsibilities, you will mentor and develop ecologists across all career stages, contributing to technical excellence, knowledge sharing and the continued growth of the regional ecology team. This position offers a significant opportunity to influence strategy, shape service delivery and support the long-term success of the London ecology business.
Your Impact in this Position
Your expertise will directly influence the successful delivery of major development, infrastructure and environmental projects, helping clients manage ecological risks, meet planning requirements and achieve positive biodiversity outcomes. Through your technical leadership and commercial awareness, you will contribute to both project success and the continued growth of the ecology team.
In the short term, you will establish strong relationships with existing clients and stakeholders, successfully deliver a portfolio of ecology projects and contribute to regional utilisation and financial performance. As your influence grows, you will expand client relationships, secure repeat business opportunities and support improvements in team capability, efficiency and project delivery.
Over the longer term, you will help shape the strategic direction of the London ecology business, establish yourself as a recognised technical leader and contribute to the successful delivery of nationally significant infrastructure, development and renewable energy projects.
Your Toolkit for Success at Tetra Tech
Technical Ecology & Leadership
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You will bring significant experience within ecological consultancy and a strong technical background in Ecological Impact Assessment (EcIA), Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), Habitat Regulations Assessment (HRA), protected species surveys and mitigation, and quality assurance processes. You will be comfortable providing technical leadership, undertaking complex reviews and ensuring the delivery of robust, high-quality ecological advice.
Project & Commercial Management
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You will demonstrate a proven ability to manage complex and profitable projects, balancing programme delivery, budget management, forecasting, contract administration and commercial risk. You will have experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and ensuring projects are delivered to agreed quality, financial and programme objectives.
Client Relationships & Business Development
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You will be an accomplished relationship builder with experience developing client accounts, identifying growth opportunities and contributing to work-winning activities. You will bring a commercial mindset and the confidence to represent the business externally, support strategic growth initiatives and help secure new opportunities across the London and South East market.
Leadership & People Development
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You will be passionate about developing people and fostering a collaborative culture. You will provide mentoring, coaching and technical guidance to ecologists at all levels, supporting career progression while promoting high standards of performance, inclusion and professional development.
Strategic Collaboration & Environmental Excellence
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You will work effectively across multidisciplinary teams, contributing to regional business planning objectives, driving continuous improvement and supporting innovation within the ecology service. Your ability to combine technical excellence with strategic thinking will help deliver positive outcomes for clients, communities and the environment.
Mandatory Requirements
You will hold a degree or higher qualification in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biological Sciences or a related discipline and possess significant ecological consultancy experience, typically gained over eight or more years within the sector. You will be a Full Member of CIEEM (MCIEEM), or be eligible to obtain membership.
You will have extensive knowledge of UK wildlife legislation, planning policy and environmental regulations, together with demonstrable experience leading ecology projects and multidisciplinary teams. Expertise in Biodiversity Net Gain and natural capital assessments, a strong understanding of urban biodiversity, excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, and a full UK driving licence are essential requirements for the role.
Beneficial Experience
Experience working within the London planning and development environment would be highly advantageous. This may include working with London Boroughs, GLA-related developments or Transport for London projects. A strong understanding of urban Biodiversity Net Gain delivery, experience supporting mixed-use, commercial, residential and infrastructure developments, and an established client network within the London market would also be beneficial.
Work Patterns and Locations
The role is based in our London office and supports hybrid working, with an expectation of a minimum of two to three days per week in the office to facilitate collaboration, leadership and team engagement. The position is predominantly office-based, with travel required to client sites and other office locations as project and business needs dictate. The role provides exposure to a broad range of complex and high-profile projects across London and the South East, offering significant opportunities to influence both project outcomes and business growth.
Why join Tetra Tech?
Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.
We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients’ most complex problems.
In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role. #LI-LD1
We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.
