➡️ This is your chance to lead from the front and shape the future of ecology in one of the UK’s most dynamic regions.
➡️ In Birmingham, you’ll play a key role within the office’s leadership team – providing direction, and helping guide how major programmes are delivered across the UK.
➡️ You’ll take on line-management responsibilities and support the development of a high-performing team, while influencing decisions on nationally significant energy and water infrastructure, major highway and rail schemes.
➡️ Your expertise will directly influence decisions that impact communities, environments and sustainability outcomes for decades to come.
This isn’t just leadership - this is visible, meaningful impact at scale.
What’s In It For Me?
This is more than a step up - it’s a career-defining leadership role.
Global reach – collaborate with 600+ ecologists worldwide and tap into unmatched expertise
Clear progression – structured development through our Global Career Framework & Chartership Academy
Build your legacy – lead, grow and shape a team in your own vision
Influence major projects – work with clients like Environment Agency, National Grid, Network Rail & National Highways
Win and shape future work – play a key role in bidding, strategy and growth
Be recognised as a leader – represent Jacobs through client engagement, industry presence and thought leadership
You’ll be trusted to lead, supported to grow, and empowered to make a genuine difference.
We Offer
Competitive salary: We offer compensation that reflects your skills and experience
️ 24 days holiday + option to buy a further 10 days
Robust Pension Contributions: We offer enhanced pension contributions up to 10% to secure your future
- ️ Comprehensive Health Coverage: Single medical cover and Digital GP service, with options to add your partner and family
Employee Networks: We have a commitment to hiring a diverse workforce and supporting colleagues of different backgrounds
Family Planning Support: Access to fertility healthcare and family planning services
Enhanced Parental Leave: Enjoy enhanced parental leave pay and free membership to employee assistance and parental programs
4️⃣ Life assurance at 4x your salary
- Income Protection: Financial security in case of long-term illness or injury
Wellbeing Hub: Free access to wellbeing apps like Calm and Daily Burn
Professional Development: We cover professional membership fees and provide continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities
Community Engagement: Participate in charity matched-funding, paid volunteering time, and charitable donations
About the Opportunity
- ️ We’re looking for a Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to help lead our Birmingham ecology team - a pivotal role within our UK ecology business.
- ️ You’ll combine strategic leadership, technical excellence and people development, working across an exciting portfolio of projects spanning water, transport and energy infrastructure.
- ️ In this role, you will:
Help steer the strategic direction for the Birmingham ecology team and contribute to UK-wide leadership
Act as the go-to expert, providing high-quality advice to clients, stakeholders and regulators
Build strong relationships through extensive client and stakeholder engagement
Lead and inspire colleagues through empathetic, high-impact leadership and mentoring
Apply your technical expertise across EIA, Habitat Regulations Assessment and Biodiversity Net Gain
Design and oversee ecological monitoring and survey programmes
Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated, innovative solutions
Play a central role in identifying, bidding and winning new work
Promote the ecology team’s capability across the wider business and externally
- ️ This is your opportunity to shape not just projects, but people, performance and the future direction of the team.
