Role and Responsibilities:

BakerHicks is seeking a driven and proactive Associate – Environment to help shape our dynamic, forward-thinking business. If you thrive in a consultancy environment and have a passion for managing both people and projects, this is a unique opportunity to lead and grow our Environmental services.

As our Associate, you will:

• Establish, lead, and grow our Environmental services
• Oversee the delivery of high-quality Ecology / Environmental projects
• Direct Ecology / Environmental teams and our supply chain, in delivering services from initial feasibility to post-planning
• Manage a diverse project portfolio across various sectors
• Drive growth of our client base and services through high quality service, resource development and work winning
• Collaborate with BakerHicks’ sectors to enhance our environmental offerings and tailor them to client and project needs
• Support proposal, business development and marketing functions to help win future work
• Take responsibility for the work of others and the allocation of resources
• Establish milestones, deadlines and team objectives and delegate responsibility to ensure projects are completed in a timely manner
• Liaises with contractors / suppliers and other third parties involved in projects to ensure both the clients and BakerHicks’ interests’ area safeguarded
• Prepare and contribute to technical reports
• Prepare fee proposals to generate new business
• Communicating with stakeholders involved in planning process and negotiating positive outcomes for the client

Requirements:

• Strong understanding of the UK environmental laws, regulations, standards and compliance requirements, including but not limited to The Wildlife and Countryside Act, The Environmental Protection Act, The Habitats Regulations, Scottish Environment Protection Agency requirements, and The Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations.
• Proven experience with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations, creating Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) and experience in Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) process
• Working knowledge of UK ecological legislation, relevant policy and planning processes
• Experience with linear infrastructure and/or development projects
• Proficient understanding of survey methods, assessment types (including Biodiversity Net Gain and Ecological Impact Assessment), and protected species licensing
• Experience in a variety of planning mechanisms
• Ability to effectively communicate complex environmental matters to stakeholders including the design team, contractors, local authorities, and the public.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Sustainability: Understanding of sustainable design principles and their application to highway and road projects.
• Thorough knowledge of the UK planning system, relevant policy, and legislation
• Technical proficiency evidenced by biodiversity inputs to assessments and reports, and delivery of projects to high standard, on time and within budgets
• Experience with project management procedures and protocols, including experience with quality assurance, the checking and approval of proposals, and reports.
• Experience in:
  • Staff / line management and/or mentoring junior staff
  • Technical leadership of teams on major projects
  • Electronic data capture, analysis and presentation
  • Working in an environmental job role in the public or private sector
  • Providing advice on benefits and importance of biodiversity, green infrastructure, natural capital and ecosystem services
• Awareness and compliance of Health and Safety procedures to ensure project compliance
• Flexibility to travel for site work and/or client meetings
• Ideally, prior experience in client liaison and work winning

Qualifications and Competencies:

• Recognised degree in an environmental or related discipline (preferably MSc)
• CIEEM/IEMA Membership or Chartered Ecologist Status
• At least 10 years post graduate experience