Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Start here. Grow here.  

Are you ready to join a team of talented Ecologist’s and shape the future of the environment? 

Join our dynamic Nature team as a Principal Biodiversity Net Gain Specialist in our growing Manchester, Nottingham and Birmingham offices, as well as taking advantage of our flexible hybrid working model. At AECOM, we’re at the forefront of innovation, delivering an exceptional portfolio of Ecology programs and projects through long-term partnerships with key clients. Our Northern regional Nature teams are working on a new electrical transmission line for National Grid (facilitating the connection of proposed new offshore wind), rail projects including the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), nationally significant blue and green hydrogen production facilities, solar farm projects, in addition to various water and highways projects

In this role, you will lead and deliver biodiversity net gain (BNG) assessments for infrastructure and development projects across the UK. Our supportive environment offers both internal and external training opportunities within a nurturing mentoring and coaching framework.

Here’s what you’ll do: 

• Strategic Leadership: Provide strategic direction and leadership for biodiversity net gain initiatives, ensuring alignment with national and local planning policies and legislation. Working closely with the BNG lead to continue to develop the BNG Vision and Strategy for AECOM and work closely with our ecologists to ensure survey standards are maintained
• Project Delivery: Lead multidisciplinary project teams to deliver high-quality biodiversity inputs and assessments for infrastructure and development projects, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Technical Expertise: Serve as the technical authority on BNG, green infrastructure, ecosystem services, and natural capital, providing expert advice and solutions to clients and project teams.
• Quality Assurance: Oversee the checking and approval of proposals, reports, and assessments, ensuring compliance with quality assurance protocols and standards.
• Client Engagement: Engage and communicate effectively with clients, stakeholders, and project teams to promote the benefits and importance of biodiversity, green infrastructure, and ecosystem services.
• Mentorship and Development: Manage and mentor junior staff, fostering their technical and professional growth within the field of biodiversity and environmental management.
• Data Management: Lead the electronic capture, analysis, and presentation of biodiversity data, ensuring accuracy and relevance for project requirements.
• Environmental Advocacy: Advocate for and implement best practices in biodiversity and natural capital within project designs to achieve positive environmental outcomes.

If you're passionate about innovation and turning bold ideas into reality, AECOM welcomes you. Join our team, where we don't just construct infrastructure but also uplift communities and enhance lives. Why not give our AECOM page on LinkedIn a follow to stay updated on the impactful projects we're working on and see firsthand the difference we're making in the industry!  

Come grow with us. 

Become part of our dynamic Nature business, which boasts around 150 professional experts including national and global leaders located across the UK and Republic of Ireland, from species licence holders to experts in impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, enhancement, and management. Our Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) professionals not only influence policy and guidance but steer practical and collaborative design decisions that promote positive outcomes.At AECOM, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued.  

And let's not forget about the perks at AECOM. You'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible? 

Here’s what we’re looking for: 

• Candidates should demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of the UK planning system, relevant policies, and legislation, along with technical proficiency in biodiversity assessments and reports.
• Experience in managing multidisciplinary schemes, project management, and quality assurance is essential.
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills are necessary to effectively manage time, prioritize deadlines, and engage with various stakeholders

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at [email protected]. At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. 

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you! 

Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more! 

For further information about the role, reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn (Melissa Moody). 

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.