The Vacancy Elevate Your Career as a Principal Consultant at Southern Ecological Solutions (SES) Are you a seasoned ecological professional ready to take on a leadership role? Southern Ecological Solutions (SES), a forward-thinking member of the RSK Group, is seeking a highly experienced Principal Consultant to join our dynamic team. This full-time, permanent position offers a hybrid working model, ideal for those within commuting distance to our Essex office. Lead a team, drive growth, and shape the future of your community with SES Why SES? SES is a leading Ecological, Arboricultural and Landscape Planning & Design, consultancy. Over the past decade, we've built a reputation for delivering pragmatic, solution-oriented consultancy services. Our diverse clientele ranges from multinational corporations working on high-profile projects to individual homeowners with smaller-scale needs. Join SES and become a part of a company known for its sustainable growth and exceptional client service. Help us continue to make a positive impact on the environment through innovative ecological solutions. Your Role Leadership & Team Development: Lead and inspire a team of ecologists, fostering a culture of excellence and professional growth. Ensure the delivery of high-quality work that aligns with SES’s standards and client expectations. Work Winning & Client Development: Drive business growth by identifying new opportunities, securing contracts, and expanding our client base. Build and maintain strong client relationships, understanding their needs and providing tailored ecological solutions. Strategic Oversight: Provide high-level oversight on a diverse portfolio of projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards. Lead complex ecological assessments and mitigation strategies. Thought Leadership: Represent SES in the wider industry, sharing insights, and contributing to the development of best practices in ecological consultancy. Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure all projects comply with current legislation and best practice guidelines, upholding the reputation of SES through rigorous quality control. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with other departments within SES and the wider RSK Group to deliver integrated solutions that meet our clients' needs. What We’re Looking For Advanced Qualifications: Hold a degree in ecology or a related field, with substantial experience in professional ecological consultancy. Proven Leadership: Demonstrate experience in leading, mentoring and supporting a team, managing high-profile projects, and driving business development within the ecological consultancy sector. Ecological Expertise: Possess deep knowledge of ecological principles, legislation, and survey techniques, with significant experience in habitat management and protected species. Strategic Vision: Have a strong understanding of ecological consultancy within the broader environmental and planning sectors, with a proven ability to develop and execute strategic plans. Licensing and Compliance Mastery: Be adept at navigating protected species licensing, with a track record of advising on and implementing successful mitigation strategies. What We Offer Competitive Salary: Earn between £45,000 - £55,000 based on experience and qualifications. Birthday Leave: Enjoy a day off to celebrate your birthday. Life Assurance: Benefit from our life assurance plan to provide peace of mind. Pension Contributions: Receive contributions to your pension plan to support your future. Generous Holiday Allowance: Start with 20 days of holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 28 days. Private Medical Insurance: Access private medical insurance to take care of your health. Flexible Benefits Programme: Tailor your benefits with options to buy additional holidays, health cash plans, and discounted gym memberships, allowing you to choose what suits you best. RSK Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer