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