Job Title

AgRecruit are partnering with Biofarm in London, UK to appoint a Head of Ecology. Please contact Sam Clayton at AgRecruit directly for enquiries (sam.clayton@).BNG for those who need it, long term value for those who provide it. Join a dynamic company at the forefront of the BNG movement; where your ideas matter, your growth is championed, and your work drives meaningful impact for nature. Thisis more than a job; it's a unique opportunity to define your career while shaping the future of our planet. We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Head of Ecology to join our entrepreneurial, London based team and to help service a growing workload. The successful candidate will play a key role in establishing habitat banks and managing and overseeing the ecology team, with a particular focus on Biodiversity Net Gain. This position requires a minimum of 10 years’ field experience and an understanding of biodiversity net gain legislation, the Statutory Metric, policies, and best practices, as well as the proven ability to lead a team and liaise with government bodies such as DEFRA, Natural England, and Local Planning Authorities. Key Responsibilities:Leading the Ecology team ensuring key deadlines and milestones are met in a timely manner.Reporting on progress to the senior team and Board.Drafting and presenting detailed reportsincluding Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans, Biodiversity Gain Plans, presentations, and proposals to clients, regulatory bodies, and community groups as required.Leading the team of in-house ecologists to develop and implement Biodiversity Net Gain strategies and action plans in accordance with relevant legislation, metrics, policies, and guidelines.Providing a high level of technical expertise and support including oversight and mentoring of habitat surveys and protected species assessments for BNG plans.Liaising with government bodies, including DEFRA and Natural England, to ensure compliance with biodiversity regulations and secure necessary permits or approvals.Leading the company’s ecological expansion into alternative Natural Capital markets.Qualifications and Experience: Member of CIEEM. Circa 10 or more years' of field experience in Ecology and leadership roles. Bachelor's or Master's degree in Ecology, or a related field. Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to diverse audiences effectively. Strong botanical knowledge with the ability to do standardised and replicable quadrat and transect surveys. Knowledge of biodiversity legislation, policies, and guidelines, including relevant national and local planning policies. Demonstrable experience of undertaking preliminary ecological appraisals(i.e. Phase 1 habitat surveys and protected species assessments). Experience in preparing and implementing Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) plans. Strong understanding of ecological principles and methodologies, including habitat assessment and ecological impact assessment. Ability to meet tight deadlines and operate under pressure to ensure that key milestones are achieved. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a progressive, pragmatic approach and experience to assess the impact of BNG within a planning context. Proficiency in relevant software and tools used in planning and biodiversity assessment, such as the Statutory Metric, GIS, ecological modelling software, and Microsoft Office Suite.