Associate/Technical Director Ecology - Bolton

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

Wardell Armstrong LLP is a successful multi-disciplinary environmental consultancy with 12 offices throughout the UK employing nearly 500 staff. Our Ecology team is highly successful and great opportunity has arisen to lead the team in our new Bolton office.

Responsibilities:

• Leading the Greater Manchester Ecology Team, providing technical advice to the team and its clients and undertaking ecological field surveys and the analysis and interpretation of survey results.
• Continue the development of the GM Ecology Team by seeking and exploiting business opportunities, strengthening the existing client base, ensuring technical outputs are aligned with Wardell Armstrong’s requirements and developing the reputation of the practice as a whole.
• Integrating the GM Ecology Team with other ecology teams within the practice as well as with related disciplines.
• Providing technical review and signed approval of survey reports to the GM Ecology team and other ecology teams when necessary.
• Producing preliminary appraisals, survey reports, licence applications, Ecological Impact Assessments, Habitats Regulations Assessments, EPS licences and other similar documents as required.
• Prepare, check and provide signed approval of detailed Risk Assessments, Method Statements and similar, as required in the day to day exercising of their functions.
• Identifying and devising appropriate mitigation/compensation and enhancement strategies, which require pragmatic solutions.
• Take the lead on challenging commissions and undertake high level of communication with NGO’s and key consultees.
• Provide high level technical input and support to internal offices and clients.
• Mentoring of junior team members with regards to technical skills and office procedures.
• Taking responsibility for managing ecological projects including resource allocation, managing subcontractors, managing risk, quality assurance, client feedback and ensuring effective communication of any changes/modifications.
• Preparation of fee proposals and tenders especially for medium and large projects, including multi-disciplinary bids/proposals as required.
• Take a leading role in the development of new business areas and new clients to further the development of the GM ecology team in particular as well as assisting in seeking business development opportunities for other technical disciplines and WA offices.

The Successful Candidate will:

• Be qualified to at least degree level or equivalent in ecology or a related discipline.
• Be a full membership of CIEEM (or equivalent) and ideally have acquired Chartered status
• Be a recognised expert in a specialist ecological subject.
• Have a demonstrable aptitude for business development and be able to provide evidence of the sustained growth of an ecology team.
• Be comfortable in aural presentation to clients and sector representatives as part of key business development responsibilities.
• Have provided Expert Witness evidence at planning enquiry.
• Demonstrate a minimum of 15 years’ relevant experience within ecological consultancy.
• Have full knowledge and demonstrable experience of Ecological Impact Assessment and Habitats Regulations Assessment.
• Have experience of managing complex projects to completion, involving the co-ordination of several related disciplines.
• Have a proven track record of mentoring and managing an ecology team.
• Hold at least two protected species survey licences and also have significant experience of European Protected Species licence applications for development purposes.
• Have detailed understanding of ecological field survey Be fully conversant with Extended Phase I Habitat Survey (JNCC 2010) methodology and able to undertake such surveys and associated reporting over complex and large development sites.
• Be up to date with legislative, technical changes.
• Be self-motivated with excellent communication skills, be able to work alone and as part of a team.
• Be able to demonstrate a track record in providing business focussed, pragmatic advice and be comfortable with a ‘pro-development’ stance.
• Have a demonstrable competency in work winning and business development.
• Be fully conversant of UK and European conservation legislation.
• Have a working knowledge of the UK Planning system.
• Be aware of commercial aspects of projects, budgeting, deadlines, client management.
• Be fully conversant with relevant aspects of the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974 and as amended) and implementation of required auditing and control measures.

All ecology team staff must be flexible over travel and hours, particularly during the relevant survey periods and be prepared to work away from home as projects require.  Due to the nature of the work a full driving licence is required.

We offer:

• Membership of the Firm’s Group Personal Pension Plan, with Employer’s contribution of up to 5%
• Payment of a professional subscription
• 24 days annual leave per year (bank holidays excluded)
• Single membership to the Firm’s Private Health Care Scheme currently provided by AVIVA
• Inclusion in the Firm’s Permanent Health Insurance Policy
• Inclusion in the Firm’s Life Assurance Policy given as 3 times annual salary
• Mobile Phone with inclusive tariff including personal usage
• Flexi- Time Working Schedule
• Long service awards
• Childcare Vouchers  

Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.