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What is the Purpose of the role?

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

Technical Director-Ecology-Scotland

Based Glasgow/Edinburgh/Inverness

What is the Purpose of the role?

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

Your day-to-day will be varied—ranging from writing technical reports and responding to planning applications, to developing fee proposals and presenting to statutory consultees. You’ll be expected to manage your own workload and that of your team, balancing routine tasks with high-impact problem-solving. A strong understanding of the Scottish planning system and statutory requirements is essential, especially for defending planning applications. You’ll be a visible leader, engaging with internal and external stakeholders, and acting as a subject matter expert across multidisciplinary projects. You will be responsible for 15 staff across 3 offices, managing 150–170 active projects in Scotland, ranging from £3,000 to £500,000

Short-term goals:

Establish leadership across the Scottish ecology team, build key relationships, and support recruitment to address current resourcing gaps. You’ll also begin contributing to project delivery and strategic planning.

Medium-term goals:

Drive team performance, meet utilization targets and lead delivery of high-value projects. You’ll introduce fresh ideas, enhance client engagement, and support business growth through tenders and technical leadership.

Long-term goals:

Shape the strategic direction of ecology services in Scotland, influence business KPIs including profitability and staff retention, and play a key role in expanding our client base and project portfolio.

Core Capabilities:

At RPS Tetra Tech we recruit using core capabilities which are the key areas of skills, responsibilities, and experience required to successfully perform a specific role. As we strive to find the best fit for this position, we are seeking individuals with a minimum level of expertise.

Technical Delivery:

You’ll be expected to be technically excellent with a deep understanding of the Scottish and UK ecology market and have led the ecology aspects of large-scale projects. Key reporting skills should include EIAR, HRA, and an understanding of NPF4 and the emerging BNG market within Scotland. Experience of the DCO process or Public Local Inquiry would be desirable.

Financial Management:

The post holder will be accountable for the financial health of the Scottish ecology portfolio. This includes overseeing project budgets ranging from £3,000 to £500,000, ensuring profitability, and managing cost control. The role requires a strong grasp of commercial principles, including revenue forecasting, margin protection, and scope management.

Project Management:

You will maintain strategic oversight of approximately 150–170 active projects per year within the Scottish business, ensuring quality, compliance, and timely delivery. While day-to-day project management is handled by the suite of senior staff within the team, you will be expected to understand the details of all major projects and provide senior-level input when needed.

Team Leadership:

Leading a team of 15 ecologists across three offices, you’ll foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. The team has a well-balanced pyramid structure, and your leadership will be key to maintaining engagement, performance, and retention.

Stakeholder Relationship Management:

This role demands strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. Internally, you’ll be a subject matter expert, collaborating across disciplines and contributing to regional leadership discussions.

Training, Qualifications, Or Equivalent Work Experience:

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