➡️ This is your opportunity to help lead, shape and grow one of the UK’s most ambitious ecology teams, right at the heart of our Scotland practice, and leave a lasting mark on the future of sustainable infrastructure.
➡️ You won’t just be delivering projects. You’ll take on line management responsibilities and be helping set direction, influencing strategy, and building a high-performing team that plays a critical role in some of the most complex and high-profile developments across Scotland, the wider UK and Ireland.
➡️ From renewable energy and nuclear infrastructure to major transport and water programmes, your leadership will ensure ecology is at the forefront of decision-making - not an afterthought.
This is a role where your expertise, vision and leadership will be visible - and where you’ll have the platform to shape both projects and people at scale.
What’s In It For Me?
At Jacobs, this isn’t just a leadership role - it’s a career-defining move.
Lead on a global stage – connect with 600+ ecologists worldwide and influence beyond the UK
Shape your career path – structured progression through our Global Career Framework & Chartership Academy
Build and help lead a high-performing team – develop talent, mentor future leaders, and create a lasting legacy
Collaborate across disciplines – work with experts across water, energy and environment on complex challenges
Win and deliver exciting work – play a key role in bidding, winning and shaping major projects
Be recognised as a leader – represent Jacobs through client relationships, industry events and thought leadership
You’ll be given the autonomy, support and platform to lead with confidence and make a tangible 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 an experienced and driven Principal Ecologist or Associate Director to join our Scotland team and take on a pivotal leadership role within our UK ecology business.
- ️ You’ll work across an impressive portfolio of projects for clients including Transport Scotland, BEAR Scotland, Natural England, Low Carbon, Uisce Éireann and local authorities, while playing a central role in shaping the future of our ecology offering.
- ️ In this role, you will:
Help steer the strategic direction of the team, contributing to wider UK ecology leadership
Act as a trusted advisor - the go-to expert for clients, stakeholders and regulators
Lead high-value client relationships and represent Jacobs externally
Drive team growth, resilience and performance through strong, empathetic leadership
Oversee and guide EIA, Habitats Regulations Appraisal and biodiversity strategies
Design and lead ecological monitoring programmes and survey strategies
Work across disciplines to deliver integrated, innovative project solutions
Play a key role in identifying, bidding and winning new work
Champion your team internally, raising its profile across the wider business
- ️ This is a rare opportunity to step into a role where you can combine technical excellence, strategic thinking and people leadership - all while working on projects that truly matter.
