Ecology Director

Description

At Environment Bank (EB) we're rewriting the rulebook📗 when it comes to Biodiversity in line with our collective purpose of ‘a new plan for the planet’. Our commitment to biodiversity is the beating heart of our business. The EB team are a diverse group of talented individuals, who bring different experiences, ideas and much more. Together, we've experienced remarkable growth 🚀 recently, and the best part… We're just getting started.

We have created a new plan for the planet 🌎 With our multi award-winning Habitat Banks, we are trailblazing a new path to restore and protect biodiversity by revolutionising how the commercial and natural worlds interact. We are making significant progress at pace with a network of Habitat Banks opening across England already and many more to follow in the coming months, we are seeking to expand our capabilities and are currently looking for an Ecology Director to join EB!

We believe that work should be fulfilling, inspiring, and balanced. From wellness programs to flexible arrangements, we've got your back and are committed to creating an environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally. So, if you're ready to be part of a driven organisation that's making a real difference in the world, join us at Environment Bank🌳🌳🌳

EDI & Belonging

At the heart of Environment Bank are the people, who make it all possible. We employ individuals, who share the same passion to live our EB mission and values.

At EB, we believe that fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace makes us more innovative, dynamic, and competitive. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, and experiences 💟 We are committed to creating an environment where everyone is valued and respected, free from discrimination based on race, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status.

The role in a nutshell

As an Ecology Director you will be an experienced and dynamic Ecology Team Lead who will spearhead the growth and development of our national Ecology team. The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with a proven track record in driving business expansion and managing large, technically diverse teams, preferably within ecology or related disciplines.

Your comprehensive expertise in ecology, including a strong working understanding of Biodiversity Net Gain and nature recovery, will be essential. You will have demonstrated success in overseeing the planning, design, and execution of complex ecological projects. Building and maintaining strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders will be key to ensuring our long-term success and growth.

This role requires a strategic thinker with excellent communication skills, capable of leading a team to achieve ambitious targets with the mission to reverse the decline of biodiversity.

More about the role

Leadership 

• Alongside the CEcO, provide strategic direction and leadership for the ecology team and nature restoration projects across the portfolio to meet the emerging needs of both the compliance (BNG) and global voluntary markets.
• Support with the development and implementation of strategies that support the Business Plan and contribute as a core member of the Senior Management Team as a critical decision maker.

Team Management and Growth

• Manage and mentor a team of technical specialists (including generalist and specialist ecologists and ecological restoration experts) involved in the design and implementation of our network of high integrity Habitat Banks.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and professional development of team members to ensure high-quality service delivery and position the business as the high-integrity market proposition (anticipated growth from 26 to ~ 50 people by 2028).
• Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment that promotes continuous learning and growth.
• Support the team’s development of stakeholder relationships within the regions including local planning authorities, local nature partnerships, wildlife trusts and other relevant organisations.
• Provide clear direction and practical, efficient solutions to managing complex, seasonally dependent workloads across the whole of England.
• Direct and manage a core technical team of national experts (with specialist skills in monitoring, land management and LPA engagement) effectively in order that their expertise underpins the work of the team.
• Effectively manage and report the Ecology Team annual budget.

Land bank delivery & Securement

• Alongside the Estates Director, oversee the efficient resourcing, planning, design, execution, and lifetime monitoring/reporting of a portfolio of high-integrity habitat banks, through oversight of the regional team leads and technical experts in monitoring, capital works delivery and LPA engagement. This will include ensuring that the team are on target to deliver the Business Plan land-based targets of at least 20 sites ‘going live’ annually.
• In partnership with the Land Team, collaborate with external stakeholders and partners to expedite and implement nature recovery projects as needed to meet market needs, including for specialist habitat bank delivery for river restoration, high distinctiveness woodland, intertidal habitats, and open mosaic habitat.
• Through management of specialists within the ecology team and working alongside our legal team, ensure that all sites within the portfolio are secured for the purposes of Biodiversity Net Gain through a s106 agreement or conservation covenant in line with the business strategy.
• Through close working relationships with the Advisory and Sales Team, ensure that the landscape scale Habitat Bank designs delivered by the ecology team deliver a composition of varied habitat types that meet the needs of the market as well as deliver appropriate.

Technical Experience

• Alongside the CEcO, the Ecology Director is responsible for the delivered ecological integrity and soundness of all nature-based products and services delivered by the business into both the compliance (BNG) and global voluntary market.
• Through the management of the team, ensure projects adhere to industry standards, regulations, best practice, and EB designed specifications related to nature recovery and Biodiversity Net Gain – positioning the business as an exemplary provider of nature-based solutions.
• Ensure all required ecological documentation of the Habitat Banking journey for every Habitat Bank is resourced and delivered on time for all wider internal and external stakeholders including for Landowners, Local Planning Authorities, Responsible Bodies and Clients.
• Develop and continually improve best practice and cost-effective processes and methodologies for the delivery and long-term monitoring and maintenance of our land portfolio, ensuring that Environment Bank are positioned as high integrity operators in the market and setting high standards as market leaders. This includes the development and delivery of an effective, sector leading monitoring and reporting programme for all land banks.
• Promote Environment Banks high integrity brand through the development (alongside our Marketing Team) and delivery of an outward facing programme of activities (to be delivered by in team experts as well as personally) that could include publications, technical thought pieces, blogs, contributions at conferences and webinars, Environment Bank marketing assets and podcasts.

You will be working remotely but as part of a regional team. Your time will be spent as a mixture of on-site and then 🏡 home based, with associated travelling. This will be alongside regional team meets and whole business meet ups. There will also be the opportunity to co-work with regional colleagues in shared working spaces. Please note this role is based in 📍 England. 

Requirements

• A Master’s degree in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology, or a related field.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), or equivalent.
• Possess strong ecological and botanical knowledge, ideally with a Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) level 3+
• Great working knowledge of Biodiversity Net Gain.
• The ability to set contribute to the strategic visions and to ally these with pragmatic plans for delivery
• Excellent knowledge of relevant legislation and policies
• Extensive experience in project management and report writing
• Strong ability to inspire large teams and provide direction, energy and pace.
• Possess experience in leadership within multidisciplinary teams.
• A great networker across sectors – able to form and use relationships to great effect
• Effective communication and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated success in meeting and exceeding project-based targets.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills and a willingness to learn.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with clients and internal teams.
• Knowledge of industry trends and market dynamics.
• Results-driven with a focus on achieving and exceeding business goals.
• Have a full UK Driver's License.

Benefits

💻Remote working

💲Competitive salary

💰Working from home allowance

🌱Investment in your development

🤝Quarterly EB meet ups

🧠 Interesting and challenging work