Ecologist Team Leader

Joining Arup

Arup is a multi–disciplinary firm of designers, planners, engineers, consultants, and technical specialists, working across every aspect of today’s-built environment. Together we help our clients solve their most complex challenges – turning exciting ideas into tangible reality as we strive to find a better way and shape a better world. 

This is a unique opportunity to assume a senior position within Arup, leading an established and highly skilled team of ecology and biodiversity specialists that is well positioned for growth. 

A career at Arup offers you the chance to make a positive difference in the world. Independently owned and independently minded, Arup is the creative force at the heart of many of the world’s most prominent projects in the built environment. We offer a broad range of professional services that combine to make a real difference to our clients and the communities in which we work. For more than 70 years, we have helped bring to life ground breaking projects across the globe. 

The Opportunity

The role is focussed around managing and growing an established team of Ecology and Biodiversity professionals spread across Arup’s Midlands and West region. This is a large geographic area including the whole of Wales and the West of England and the Midlands, with many established and emerging client relationships. The team also works nationally and internationally, including delivering high quality services on some of the largest infrastructure projects in the UK. 

The Arup team already comprises over 30 permanent staff spread across our Cardiff, Bristol and Birmingham offices. The team includes a diverse range of skills including terrestrial and freshwater ecology, ornithology and freshwater biology. The team has been established within Arup over 20 years and has grown steadily and sustainably, working with new clients and delivering excellent work across multiple sectors. 

Reporting directly to the Group Leader and geographic leadership, the successful candidate will drive forward technical excellence, commercial performance and business resilience. They will work with wider Ecology leaders and other related skills leads across Arup, ensuring we continue to deliver the highest quality work for our clients. 

This is an exciting time for the team as we see significant growth opportunities in many sectors, being particularly well positioned in the energy and water markets. With the twin climate and biodiversity crises at the forefront of client agendas, the new Ecologist/Team Leader has the opportunity to lead the West/Midlands team through a significant development phase. 

You will be responsible for Leading technical work on projects, including constructive and thorough quality assurance duties, biodiversity workstream leadership on major projects and client liaison. Having commercial oversight on team performance and individual project management / direction. 

Working with our clients to gain a full understanding of their drivers and motivations for Nature services and participating in local and regional management groups within Ecology and Biodiversity and the Climate and Sustainability portfolio. Building an engaging, empowering and collaborative environment, proactively build diverse and inclusive teams that represent the best of Arup and our communities. 

As a leader in their field, we expect the successful candidate to demonstrate drive and self-motivation, a willingness for continual learning and tracking of emerging trends within sectors and a desire to effectively deliver excellent service to our clients. 

Is this role right for you?

We are looking for people who:

• Minimum of a Bachelors degree in a relevant subject, such as Ecology, Zoology, Geography or Biology (or equivalent); 
• Full membership of CIEEM and Chartered Ecologist/Environmentalist; 
• A full driving license is essential. 
• Demonstrable experience of leading ecology / nature teams in multidisciplinary environments; this will include a passion for engaging, developing and inspiring individuals. You will have an ability to effectively manage people-related issues openly and authentically, developing individuals, skills and team capabilities. 
• A business and commercial focus with an understanding of what clients, our leaders, and Arup as a whole need to deliver results and truly support and drive forward our strategic priorities. This will include project management and project director experience. 
• Proven ability to develop meaningful and productive client relationships, including internal and external clients within large organisations. 
• An outstanding technical ability within ecology and nature, being able to lead and direct complex programmes of work, including constructive quality control processes. Previous experience of expert witness duties is desirable, especially through DCO examinations. 
• Deep understanding of nature markets and how to engage with sustainable development as the central focus and purpose of our business. 

Not ready to apply just yet, or have a few questions? Contact Sarah Graham at [email protected] .Please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs. 

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Sarah Graham at [email protected] to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our Application Process

To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process. 

Recruitment Agencies – 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 the list.

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