# Associate Director / Technical Director - Freshwater Ecology

**Company**: WSP
**Experience**: senior
**Job type**: full-time
**Category**: Consulting
**Industry**: Consulting

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## Description

We are seeking an Associate Director or Technical Director in Freshwater Ecology to join our expanding Aquatic Ecology team.

You’ll act as a trusted authority on freshwater ecology, providing expertise across major UK and international infrastructure schemes, including DCO/NSIP projects, regulated water company frameworks, and long term capital programmes.

**Responsibilities**

In this influential role, you will:

- Lead and guide the design of freshwater and aquatic ecology baseline survey programmes for EIAs and regulatory submissions.

- Author high-quality technical reports, including EIA chapters, WFD assessments, and planning deliverables for both UK and international clients.

- Line manage and mentor talented aquatic ecologists, supporting their growth, wellbeing, and workloads.

- Prepare competitive tenders and fee estimates for medium and large-scale freshwater ecology projects.

- Support the management of the wider aquatic team,including health & safety, training, resource planning, and technical excellence.

- Build and maintain a strong profile as a recognised technical expert, contributing to WSP’s Practice Area Networks and representing the business externally.

**About the Team**

Our Aquatic Ecology team works across freshwater, estuarine, and marine environments on a truly exciting range of projects.

Typical portfolio areas include:

- River restoration and catchment enhancement schemes

- Design of ecological monitoring programmes

- Biodiversity Net Gain assessments

- EIA and Water Framework Directive assessments

- Salmonid habitat restoration and NEP projects for water companies

- Routine biological monitoring

- International development and R&D projects

**Requirements**

You will bring:

- Extensive professional experience in consultancy, regulatory bodies, or industry settings.

- Advanced technical expertise in freshwater ecology, including protected species and habitat assessment.

- A proven ability to deliver technically robust, scientifically rigorous reports for WFD assessments, EIAs, and Environmental Statements.

- Strong understanding of UK water and ecology legislation and its application within the planning process.

- Demonstrated experience managing and developing teams.

- Proven project management skills, including tender preparation and budgeting.

- A positive, collaborative, and engaging leadership style with excellent communication skills.

**Benefits**

At WSP, you’ll be part of a culture that values curiosity, innovation, and the drive to make a difference. You’ll have:

- The freedom to define the direction of your specialist area

- The support of a global ecology and environmental network

- A variety of UK and international projects to grow your portfolio

- Real opportunities for career development, leadership, and technical influence

## Skills

### Required
- freshwater ecology
- protected species and habitat assessment
- EIA
- Water Framework Directive assessments
- project management
- team management

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