BNG Specialist

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Are you ready to join a team of talented BNG specialists and shape the future of the environment?

Join our dynamic Nature team as a Technical Director or Associate Director (BNG Specialist) in one of our offices based at any of our AECOM offices in the UK&I, and benefit from our flexible hybrid working model. At AECOM, we’re at the forefront of innovation, championing nature-based solutions from large-scale ecological surveys to integrating nature into decision-making and investment planning.

Presently, we are working on a wide range of projects, notably in the power and renewables, infrastructure, environment and transport sectors, as well as collaborating with other technical disciplines such as landscape, GIS, engineering, sustainability and drainage. Our recent projects have included several of the largest solar farms to have gained consent in the UK; a cable tunnel below the River Thames; electricity network upgrades in Kent and Suffolk; and masterplanning of new residential developments for local authorities.

In this role, depending on your interests and skillset, you will have opportunities to support a variety of areas such as: Biodiversity Net Gain and Net Benefits for Biodiversity Assessments, Habitat Management and Monitoring Plans, Biodiversity Gain Plans and Biodiversity Net Gain mentoring. Our supportive environment offers both internal and external training opportunities within a nurturing mentoring and coaching framework.

Here’s what you’ll do:

• Provide strategic leadership on BNG (and similar policies) across UK&I (Technical Director)
• Lead our BNG offer across England (Associate Director)
• Lead the planning and delivery of biodiversity inputs for both internal and external clients;
• Produce and technically review a range of biodiversity assessments;
• Provide technical leadership to support the delivery of proportionate and pragmatic solutions;
• Lead consultation and engagement with clients and key project stakeholders including planning authorities, statutory bodies and the public;
• Play a key role in the continued development of our technical capabilities and encourage the embedding of innovation/research;
• Lead the production of bids and tenders for biodiversity services;
• Mentor and support both junior staff and peers.

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.

Come grow with us.

Join our dynamic Natural business with over 150 professionals. Our Ecology team features national and global leaders across the UK and Republic of Ireland, specializing in species licensing, impact assessment, habitat creation, ecosystem restoration, enhancement, and management. Our Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) experts shape policy, guide practical decisions, and foster collaborative designs for positive environmental outcomes.

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 days.

Qualifications

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Degree (or equivalent) in ecology or an associated subject
• Membership of an appropriate professional institution and working towards or obtained Chartered Ecologist or Chartered Environmentalist status;
• Excellent knowledge of relevant biodiversity legislation and policy, and reporting skills;
• Experience of leading and managing biodiversity assessments (major planning applications and DCO submissions) as demonstrated by suitable professional experience;
• Experience in managing projects, project budgets and leading stakeholder discussions, and bidding/tendering
• Experience of reviewing/verifying technical work and supporting wider team members.

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities.