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Principal Marine Ecologist

Locations: Basingstoke, Manchester, Glasgow, Bristol, Leeds, Birmingham, Cambridge, Dublin (hybrid working model).

Responsibilities

• Be a Subject Matter Expert: provide technical marine ecological and marine consenting advice internally and externally, direct inputs to a wide range of workstreams and deliverables across a broad range of projects, including involvement in the full EIA or DCO development cycle of major projects. Deliver marine ecology impact assessments including ES chapters and associated assessments (HRA, MCZ, WFD) and support licence and permitting applications needed for marine‑based projects.
• Ensure Quality: maintain a critical eye for detail to ensure deliverables are produced to the highest quality standards and comply with rigorous quality management procedures. Demonstrate excellent writing and communication skills, tailoring complex scientific information for different audiences.
• Collaborate: work as part of a multidisciplinary team—including underwater acoustics specialists, coastal process experts, water scientists, marine archaeologists and EIA colleagues—to improve environmental outcomes of our projects.
• Growth and business development: contribute to the marine ecology team’s win‑rate by developing technical and fee proposals, supporting marketing and business development activities, and presenting to internal and external audiences.
• Project Management: effectively manage resources and budgets, progress internally and to clients, and procure and manage specialist subcontractors when needed. Receive project‑management training to become an AECOM‑accredited PM.
• Mentoring: help develop and train marine ecology team members, creating a supportive environment for individuals to thrive.

Qualifications

• Comprehensive marine ecological expertise with demonstrable experience in preparing and reviewing specialist technical chapters and all associated impact assessments, including EIA, HRA, MCZ and WFD.
• A detailed understanding of the marine consenting and licensing regimes across the UK, with experience liaising with and submitting licence applications to the key regulatory bodies including the MMO, NRW, Scottish MD and The Crown Estate.
• Ability to provide technical advice and apply advanced scientific practices, theories and technologies for a diverse range of marine projects.
• Team coordination experience, including line management and mentorship of junior team members.
• Business development experience, including preparing tenders and client presentations.

Benefits

AECOM offers a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well‑being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Enjoy career development opportunities, a flexible hybrid working model that promotes work‑life balance, technical practice networks, AECOM University and volunteering days.

Additional Information

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills that would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you. For further information about the role, reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn (Melissa Moody).

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at ReasonableAccommodations@aecom.com. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Disability Confident Employer. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.