Senior Ecologist (Principal)

About Us

United Utilities’ (UU) mission is to deliver high-quality water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society. We are proud to be ranked #11 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. These include:

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• A 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working

Our proposed business plan would see us deliver the largest investment in water and wastewater infrastructure in more than a century, investing in assets and delivering improved services for customers and the environment. It will deliver a step change in tackling those issues that matter the most – from reliable water supplies to cleaner rivers and bathing waters – helping to make the North West greener, healthier and stronger.

Our projects are designed to be environmentally and socially responsible. They are complex and wide ranging, often in sensitive areas of the North West throwing up a diverse range of ecological challenges offering you opportunities to learn and grow. We are here to support you in reaching your full potential and thriving in your career and beyond

The role

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can utilise your Ecology expertise working on sustainable projects that benefit the environment and society, exploring opportunities to deliver biodiversity net gain across our 56,000 hectare estate or through partnerships with others? If yes, then we have a fantastic opportunity for you at United Utilities (UU) as a Senior Ecologist.

As a Senior Ecologist you will report in to the Principal Ecologist and work alongside our environmental, capital delivery and engineering colleagues and partners.

In joining us, you will have full exposure to the organisation, our major contracts and our largest industry partners. Stakeholder engagement is vital for this role. You will therefore need to build strong working relationships, manage key internal and external stakeholders effectively and provide expert advice to our contractors. You will support the development of survey and consenting strategies working with a wide range of stakeholders from across the region in particular Planning Authorities, Natural England, the Environment Agency and a whole host of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

We are excited to offer you a flexible and hybrid working model that lets you balance your work and life and enjoy the benefits of working with us wherever you are. In-person attendance at our site in Lingley Mere, Warrington is required three days per week to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. On occasion, work from our other offices may be required. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

United Utilities offer dynamic roles that will help you grow professionally and personally and you will have the chance to enhance your skill, knowledge and experience in a supportive and collaborative environment. If you are passionate about making a positive difference for the North West of England and want to join us on our journey of transformation, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and become part of the UU family!

Key accountabilities

• Lead and manage ecological resources across the capital programme and deliver on United Utilities time and quality objectives.
• Oversee delivery of ecology work undertaken by our framework contractors and design and delivery partners.
• Lead the design, procurement and programming of a wide range of ecology surveys.
• Lead on the preparation and review of technical reports and ecological assessments and provide technical guidance in the design and delivery of any necessary mitigation measures.
• Lead on undertaking Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) assessments and the design and delivery of any compensatory requirements.
• Line management of Ecologists.
• Liaise with external stakeholders (EA, Natural England, planning authorities, suppliers, construction teams etc.) and provide guidance to support internal teams, ensuring projects adhere to best practices and comply with relevant policies and regulations.
• Lead on providing advice to the business and our partners on the regulations and requirements relating to protected sites and species.
• Manage project budgets, timelines, and resources effectively.

Skills and expertise

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Chartered Ecologist with a relevant body with (e.g. CIEEM) with multiple years of ecology experienced gained.
• Extensive experience of delivering and coordinating ecological surveys and assessments, providing advice to designers and construction contractors, and working closely with external stakeholders.
• Experience of project management including procurement, budget control, managing other ecological disciplines & sub-contractors, programming work and meeting project objectives.
• Highly experienced in technical report writing and reviewing reports and assessments.
• Experience of working in multi-discipline teams, providing technical and non-technical advice and problem solving.
• Demonstrable experience of working with a range of protected species and preferably expertise in at least one relevant specialism.
• Technically proficient in Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) including use of the Defra metric.
• Experience of planning, arboriculture and landscaping/habitat design.
• Ability to lead and coach others, working together to achieve company goals.
• Excellent communication skills.

Other

We believe in empowering you to achieve your aspirations and dreams, both in your work and in your life. To help you achieve your goals, we offer a variety of voluntary benefits that you can select according to your needs and preferences.

• Onsite gym and physio lounge with instructor-led gym classes and dedicated physiotherapist, onsite childcare and nursery, free parking and EV charging points, dedicated multi-faith/prayer rooms and free bus service for UU colleagues – Warrington only
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes
• You may be entitled to relocation expenses of up to £8,000 for this position. This will depend on the outcome of an eligibility check.

Further Information

More information can be found below:

• UU benefits: https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits-of-working-for-us/
• Pension information: https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/pensions/
• UU careers: https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/
• Data privacy: https://www.unitedutilities.com/privacy/

Selection Process Details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment: