Principal Ornithologist

About the role

[Employer hidden]’s ecology team is passionate about creating opportunities for wildlife and people to thrive together.

With established teams in London, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Sheffield, we support a huge range of projects, at local and national levels. We’re enthusiastic about finding new ways to apply emerging ecological principles and methods to the most challenging of policy and development projects, and we have fun working together along the way.

In 2026 we continue to support some of the most exciting projects in UK consultancy. Working alongside colleagues and partners, we apply our skills to projects ranging from energy generation to historic building restoration, regenerative agriculture to strategic biodiversity enhancement plans. We will explore habitats from the Scottish and Welsh uplands to central London. We search for protected species ranging from bats to osprey, via dormouse and otter.

This is also an opportunity to work for a sincere, employee-owned company with strong values and a particular focus on addressing the biodiversity and climate emergencies.

The Principal Ornithologist will be based in Bristol, Cardiff or Manchester, helping to deliver our exciting and diverse orderbook.

Successful candidates will be part of the established [Employer hidden] ornithology team, while also having the opportunity to engage in the wider portfolio of work undertaken by our UK wide ecology team.

The role will include being actively involved in:

• All aspects of project management and client communications.
• Planning and coordinating field surveys, in collaboration with colleagues.
• Line management, mentoring and development of junior staff.
• Managing, analysing and interpreting ornithological data.
• Preparing consultancy reports and undertaking ornithological assessment.
• Tendering and wider business development activity.

This opportunity requires applicants with previous experience of ornithology or ecology consultancy, ornithology surveying and management of field work, particularly in the energy generation and transmission sectors.

The role includes the opportunity to share and participate actively in the management and ownership of the business through the Employee Ownership Trust, which places full ownership of the company with the employees.

A full-time role is based on 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday). However, [Employer hidden] has a strong track record in flexible working and we have been recognised for our flexible working culture, so we are happy to discuss a range of flexible working options for this role, including part time hours (minimum 30 hours per week), if desired. [Employer hidden]’s hybrid working policy would apply to the role.

Salary: £39,000-£46,000 (FTE) depending on experience.

This is a great time to be joining [Employer hidden]. Since its creation nearly 60 years ago, [Employer hidden] has been driven by the belief that planning has a critical role to play in shaping the world around us for the better. This work has never been more critical or urgent.

Experience and qualifications

The successful candidate will complement our existing enthusiastic and dedicated ornithology and ecology teams. You will share our commitment to high quality science and be motivated to further grow your ornithology skills and wider expertise in consulting. In taking on work, we aim to make a meaningful contribution to achieving net zero, reversing biodiversity loss and improving human well-being.

*Essential*

• Knowledge of wildlife, especially birds and bird conservation priorities, in the UK, gained through practical experience and further / higher education.
• Ornithological or ecological field survey experience.
• Project management skills, including budgeting, fieldwork planning and coordination and client communications.
• Knowledge of bird survey and assessment requirements to support developments in England and Wales.
• Mentoring and/or line management experience.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Enthusiasm for working outdoors, with a willingness to survey in all months of the year, and in inclement weather.
• Willingness to work across the UK, with occasional trips away from home (all costs and expenses covered by [Employer hidden]).
• Willingness to work antisocial hours, particularly during the spring and summer months.
• Ability to work collaboratively and positively with a small team of colleagues.

*Desirable*

• Experience of writing submissions to support the development management process in England and/or Wales
• Data management and GIS skills
• Modelling and data analysis experience, including collision risk modelling
• 4x4 driving skills

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

Please apply by uploading your CV and covering letter via the above link

[Employer hidden] is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. We value the differences, needs and contributions a diverse workforce represents, and we strive to embed equality, diversity and inclusion in all our people related activities.