Associate Ecologist

Job title: Associate Ecologist

About the Role Associate Ecologist with a strategic mindset to join LUC's Strategic Ecology team, delivering landscape-scale ecological assessments and supporting nature recovery across land-use planning. This role involves collaborating across disciplines to translate ecological opportunities into deliveries for public, private and third-sector clients.

What You'll Do

• Manage and deliver ecological evidence-base assessments to support nature recovery within land-use planning across multiple spatial scales.
• Develop and test innovative project methodologies grounded in science for planning and management challenges.
• Apply ecological knowledge to climate resilience and ecosystem services considerations.
• Lead strategic ecology advice within multidisciplinary project teams and help integrate ecological, landscape and planning requirements.
• Manage projects (field and office) to high-quality standards; contribute to stakeholder engagement and consultation.
• Support growth through portfolio development and client relationships.
• Line management and mentoring; contribute to staff training and development.
• Participate in the ownership and governance through the Employee Ownership Trust.
• This role is based in LUC’s offices in Bristol, London or Manchester with a hybrid working model (minimum two days in the office) and travel to sites/ client offices as required.

What We're Looking For

• Excellent understanding of the challenges facing nature recovery in the UK.
• Strong working knowledge of UK ecology (generalist or specialist).
• Solid knowledge of relevant emerging policy and legislation (local/regional applications).
• Proven project management skills; experience in line management.
• Demonstrated work-winning and business development abilities.
• A reasoned, scientific approach to problem solving and logical assessment methodologies.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary project teams across internal, client and stakeholder disciplines.
• Familiarity with the strategic application of datasets.
• Appropriate professional qualification at a relevant level.

Nice to Have

• Experience in developing or delivering strategy and action plans for nature or landscape recovery.
• Experience in the design and delivery of habitat or broader land management plans.
• Stakeholder engagement and collaborative problem-solving experience.
• Experience applying biodiversity and environmental principles in practice.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: £47,000 - £59,000 FTE (Plus London allowance of £4,000 if applicable).
• This is a full-time role based on 37.5 hours per week; flexible/hybrid working options including part-time (minimum 30 hours per week).
• Employee Ownership Trust offers opportunities for staff ownership and engagement.
• Location: Bristol, London or Manchester with hybrid working.