SLR is a global leader in sustainability solutions, helping clients make sustainability happen through a collaborative, people-first culture.
Due to continued growth within our highly successful Ecology business, we are seeking an experienced Senior Ecologist to join our established team, delivering high-profile projects across the UK and Ireland.
Based in Bury St Edmunds the role will focus primarily on renewable energy, infrastructure and residential development projects, with additional exposure to a wide range of commercial developments spanning the renewables, infrastructure, industrial and built environment sectors.
Rewards & Benefits
SLR's ‘One Team’ culture is at the heart of our business, providing a collaborative and supportive environment where people can develop and grow. Through a structured career framework, regular performance reviews, and support towards chartership, professional qualifications and licences, we offer excellent opportunities for long-term career progression. Our flexible benefits and reward package includes:
- Competitive salary with discretionary bonus
- Company pension
- Private medical insurance
- Life, income, and travel insurance
- Salary sacrifice car lease and cycle‑to‑work schemes
- Volunteering and Community Giving
- Flexible, hybrid and agile working
- 25 days’ annual leave plus flexible public holidays
- Buy or sell leave options
- Core working hours
- Cross‑border remote working and sabbatical opportunities
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave pay
- Workplace Nursery benefit
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Specialist support for mental health, stress and menopause - supporting our people both professionally and personally
The Role
You'll play a key role in the delivery and management of ecological projects, working closely with clients, project teams and multidisciplinary colleagues. The role includes:
- Managing ecological projects from inception through to completion
- Supporting team leads with resource planning, programme management and financial budgets
- Producing and reviewing ecological appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs), licence applications, EPS licences and other technical reports
- Building and maintaining strong client relationships, addressing feedback and ensuring effective project communication
- Mentoring and developing junior ecologists across the team
- Undertaking ecological surveys where required and ensuring surveys are delivered to appropriate technical standards
- Supporting the preparation of fee proposals and contributing to business development activities
- Collaborating with planners, archaeologists, arboriculturists, landscape architects, engineers and other environmental specialists on multidisciplinary projects
About You
- Demonstrable experience in ecological consultancy, with the ability to lead projects and mentor colleagues
- A degree in Ecology or a related environmental discipline
- Experience managing ecological projects and delivering work to the standards required by planning authorities, Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and other statutory consultees
- Experience preparing a wide range of technical reports, including Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEAs), Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIAs), ES Chapters and Habitat Regulations Assessments (HRAs)
- Experience preparing and submitting protected species and mitigation licence applications
- At least one protected species survey licence; a bat licence would be advantageous
- Strong knowledge of UK and European ecological legislation, policy and guidance
- Qualifying Member (or higher) status with CIEEM
- Strong technical reporting, project management and stakeholder engagement skills
- A driving licence that permits you to legally drive in the UK and access to a vehicle for site visits
We welcome applications from experienced ecologists looking to take the next step into project management, as well as more senior candidates with strengths in client relationship management and business development. The role can be adapted to reflect the experience and aspirations of the successful candidate.
Culture & Inclusion
Inclusion is fundamental to who we are. We are committed to equal opportunities and foster a workplace where everyone can thrive, supported by active Culture & Inclusion Committees and Employee Networks. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.
If this role feels like a great fit for your experience and ambitions, we’d love to hear from you.
Skills Required
- Demonstrable experience across ecological consultancy practice and ability to lead and mentor others
- Competence in ecological surveying
- Good academic and professional qualifications in ecology or a related discipline
- Experience managing ecological projects to completion and reporting to standards required by planning authorities and statutory bodies
- Experience of making licence applications and holding at least one Protected Species licence
- Bat licence (advantageous)
- Experience preparing technical reports (Preliminary Ecological Appraisals, Ecological Impact Assessments, ES chapters, Habitat Regulations Assessments)
- Experience applying for Natural Resources Wales / Natural England mitigation licences
- Good knowledge of relevant UK and European legislation, policy and guidance
- Qualifying Member status, or higher, of CIEEM
- Full UK driving licence and access to own car
SLR Consulting Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about SLR Consulting and has not been reviewed or approved by SLR Consulting.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is presented as comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, and orthodontia with HSA/FSA options. Company‑paid life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability, and an Employee Assistance Program further strengthen the core package.
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Retirement Support — A 401(k) (or regional equivalent) with company matching is a standard component and is repeatedly listed across roles. This provides structured retirement support alongside core benefits.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Generous PTO accrual paired with a set of paid holidays is a recurring element, with some regions also offering buy/sell leave and enhanced family leave. These provisions signal meaningful time‑off flexibility in several markets.
SLR Consulting Insights
What We Do
SLR Consulting is a leading global environmental and sustainability advisory business dedicated to 'Making Sustainability Happen.' The company provides bespoke strategic and technical expertise to address complex environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges. It partners with clients across diverse sectors, including energy, infrastructure, and industrial technology, delivering tailored solutions across the full project lifecycle from strategy and design to compliance and remediation.
