Location
London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Negotiable

About the Role
Mace combines construction expertise with consultancy to unlock potential in every person or project and redefine the boundaries of ambition. As a purpose-led organisation, we place diversity and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Our responsible business practice group of 150+ people work daily to create a low carbon resilient world, shaping cities, building thriving communities, and helping clients realise their ambitions.

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 an individual with a profound understanding of BNG delivery and management, alongside 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, Pursue a Sustainable World.

You will be responsible for supporting the project feasibility stage by engaging early with design teams to apply mitigation hierarchy principles ensuring biodiversity is considered from the outset. You will manage 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 completing Defra’s biodiversity metric, supporting landscape architects with urban greening factor (UGF) targets, preparing biodiversity gain plans, and leading stakeholder engagement for biodiversity offset opportunities in collaboration with delivery partners, communications teams, sponsors, local authorities, and special interest groups. You will engage with off-site biodiversity unit providers and advise on biodiversity statutory credits where required.

You will work collaboratively with local authorities to share knowledge on biodiversity management and support natural capital and ecosystem service assessments using the Environmental Benefits from Nature tool. You will also support the development of Mace’s natural capital reporting service offer and BREEAM assessment reporting.

Additional duties include GIS mapping, working with landscape architects to deliver green infrastructure plans, nature-based solutions, and biodiversity requirements. You will provide technical assurance of ecology and biodiversity assessments and reports, landscape and ecological management plans (LEMP), habitat management and monitoring plans (HMMP), and construction environmental management plans (CEMP). You will support environmental and social appraisals (ESA) for programmes if required.

You will work with construction project teams to deliver best practice in protecting and enhancing ecology, translating technical requirements into accessible language to ensure all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities. You will manage biodiversity on construction sites as the ecological clerk of works (ECoW), support delivery of SITES assessments on new construction projects, and manage licence applications including developing mitigation and monitoring.

You will advise clients on delivering their strategic ecology priorities and nature-based solutions, including writing policies and developing portfolio/estate-wide strategies. You will also deliver training and support to the wider team and mentor junior team members.

Mace is an inclusive employer welcoming candidates from diverse backgrounds. We encourage applications even if you do not meet all criteria, as you may be the best fit for this or other roles. We are open to discussing part-time, flexible, and hybrid working options where suitable.

Experience
Proven experience as a suitably qualified ecologist with strong survey skills including extended UK habitat surveys supporting BNG assessment. Experience preparing biodiversity net gain calculations and reporting. Experience with natural capital and ecosystem service assessments using the Environmental Benefits from Nature tool. Supporting urban greening factor (UGF) delivery including advising on planting species. GIS proficiency (ArcGIS or QGIS). Experience managing ecological surveys, impact assessments, and stakeholder engagement.

Experience working collaboratively with design teams, local authorities, and clients to deliver biodiversity and sustainability targets. Experience managing biodiversity on construction sites and licence applications is desirable.

About you
Passionate about sustainability and biodiversity net gain with a proactive and collaborative approach. Able to inspire, challenge, and guide teams and clients. Strong communicator capable of translating technical ecology requirements into clear, accessible language for diverse stakeholders. Motivated to support innovative, low carbon projects and deliver sector-leading sustainability outcomes.

Committed to diversity and inclusion, with a safety-first mindset and a client-focused attitude aligned with Mace’s values.

Qualifications
Degree or equivalent qualification (e.g., N/SVQ level 5) in ecology or a related subject. Full membership of one or more of the following professional bodies is preferred:
- Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM)
- Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
- Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA)
- The Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)