Overview

As Technical Director – Ecology, you will lead the Scottish terrestrial ecology team, comprising 15 professionals across Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness. This role shapes the strategic direction, technical excellence, and operational performance of the ecology function in Scotland. You will oversee a diverse team from graduates to Associate Directors, ensuring high-quality delivery across a broad portfolio of projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 15 ecologists across three offices, fostering collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.
• Write technical reports and respond to planning applications; develop fee proposals and present to statutory consultees.
• Manage your workload and that of your team, balancing routine tasks with high-impact problem-solving.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the Scottish planning system and statutory requirements, and defend planning applications as needed.
• Act as a visible leader and subject-matter expert across multidisciplinary projects; engage with internal and external stakeholders.
• Short-term: establish leadership across the Scottish ecology team, build key relationships, support recruitment, and contribute to project delivery and strategic planning.
• Medium-term: drive team performance, meet utilisation targets, lead delivery of high-value projects; enhance client engagement and support business growth through tenders and technical leadership.
• Long-term: shape the strategic direction of ecology services in Scotland; influence business KPIs including profitability and staff retention; expand client base and project portfolio.
• Technical Delivery: maintain technical excellence with deep understanding of the Scottish and UK ecology market; lead ecology aspects of large-scale projects; report on EIAR, HRA, and awareness of NPF4 and the emerging BNG market; familiarity with the DCO process and Public Local Inquiry is desirable.
• Review technical reports from staff, provide due diligence input to clients, and ensure quality input into multidisciplinary projects.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to internal training with a specialist focus as part of the Senior Ecology Team.
• Accountability for the financial health of the Scottish ecology portfolio, including project budgets from £3,000 to £500,000, profitability, cost control, revenue forecasting, margin protection, and scope management.
• Ensure informed bidding decisions and risk management aligned with broader business objectives; impact on metrics such as DSO, profit margins, and financial sustainability.

Project Management

• Maintain strategic oversight of approximately 150–170 active projects per year in Scotland; ensure quality, compliance, and timely delivery.
• Support fee proposals, manage client expectations, and ensure outputs meet legislative requirements and client needs.
• Solve complex, non-standard problems using ecological expertise to deliver innovative, compliant solutions.
• Understand major project details and provide senior input as needed while routine project management is handled by senior staff.
• Lead recruitment to meet demand and support staff development through training, mentoring, and involvement in strategic initiatives.
• Represent the Scottish ecology team at Senior Ecology Team meetings and be supported by this group and Senior Directors.

Stakeholder Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders across disciplines and participate in regional leadership discussions.
• Engage with statutory consultees, clients, and partners; represent the business in high-stakes planning scenarios.
• leveraging a strong network of industry contacts and deep understanding of the Scottish planning system.

Training & Qualifications

Must hold Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) qualification OR be willing to work towards achieving this as soon as possible. Qualification will be supported by RPS Tetra Tech.

Apply today!