Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
At Mace, our purpose is to redefine the boundaries of ambition by creating responsible places that bring transformative impact to people, communities, and societies globally. We combine leading-edge practical expertise and project delivery to unlock the potential in every project. Our values are Safety first - Going home safe and well, Client focus - Deliver on our promise, Integrity - Always do the right thing, and Create opportunity - For our people to excel. We are a purpose-led organisation placing diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do.

This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified ecologist experienced in delivering biodiversity net gain (BNG) to join Mace’s responsible business team. You will be part of our growing nature-based solutions team, delivering BNG and sustainable development on key consultancy projects across various sectors. You will support innovative and technically challenging low carbon projects, working with sustainable and pioneering clients aiming to deliver at least +10% biodiversity net gain, technical ecology advice, nature-based solutions for climate change, and BREEAM outstanding on their projects.

This role is ideal for someone with a profound understanding of BNG delivery and management, and a strong knowledge of sustainability aligned with current and future trends in the built environment. You will inspire, challenge, guide, and help deliver our sector-leading sustainability targets outlined in our 2026 business priority, pursuing a sustainable world.

You will be responsible for supporting project feasibility stages with early design layout involvement, applying mitigation hierarchy principles to consider biodiversity early. Managing delivery of Phase 1 and UKHab surveys, species surveys, river condition assessments, preliminary ecological appraisals (PEA), ecological impact assessments (EcIA)/environmental statements, and habitat regulations assessments (HRA). This includes commissioning these surveys, preparing technical scopes for sub-consultants, and developing strong working relationships with them.

Additional responsibilities include completion of Defra’s biodiversity metric, supporting landscape architects with urban greening factor (UGF) targets, preparing biodiversity gain plans, leading stakeholder engagement for biodiversity offset opportunities, engaging with off-site biodiversity unit providers, advising on biodiversity statutory credits, and collaborating with local authorities on biodiversity management.

You will support natural capital and ecosystem service assessments using the environmental benefits from nature tool, assist in developing Mace’s natural capital reporting service, support BREEAM assessment reporting, perform GIS mapping, work with landscape architects on green infrastructure plans and nature-based solutions, and provide technical assurance of ecology and biodiversity assessments, reports, and management plans.

Further duties include supporting environmental and social appraisals, working with construction project teams to protect and enhance ecology, managing biodiversity on construction sites as the ecological clerk of works (ECoW), supporting SITES assessment delivery, managing licence applications including mitigation and monitoring, advising clients on strategic ecology priorities and nature-based solutions, and delivering training and mentoring junior team members.

Experience
Minimum of five years relevant experience as a practising ecologist. Demonstrable practical understanding of ecology factors related to construction and the built environment. Experience in ecological impact assessments, preliminary ecological appraisals (PEA), Phase 2 habitat and fauna surveys including reporting, habitat design and/or creation, ecological clerk of works (ECoW), and stakeholder engagement with regulators, local authorities, and wildlife groups.

About you
Proactive, pragmatic, and able to work independently and collaboratively across the UK. Strategic thinker with problem-solving skills, able to view issues from different perspectives and simplify complex concepts. A change driver who leads others, adopts innovative solutions, acts decisively, and is passionate about achieving results. Collaborative with strong relationship-building skills across project teams, clients, consultants, contractors, sub-contractors, and regulators. Confident communicator capable of delivering high-quality presentations and results. Technically robust ecology expert, comfortable analysing data and adapting to new technical requirements.

Qualifications
Degree or equivalent qualification (e.g., N/SVQ level 5) in ecology or a related subject. Strong survey skills including extended UK habitat surveys supporting BNG assessment. Proficient in preparing biodiversity net gain calculations and reporting. Experience with natural capital and ecosystem service assessments using the environmental benefits from nature tool. Support for urban greening factor (UGF) delivery including advising on planting species. GIS proficient (ArcGIS or QGIS). Full membership of one of the following professional bodies: Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) preferred, Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM), Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), or The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES).

Additional Information
Mace is an inclusive employer welcoming candidates from diverse backgrounds. Candidates who do not meet all criteria are encouraged to apply as they may be suitable for this or other roles. Flexible working options including part-time, hybrid, and flexible arrangements may be considered where suitable.