Technical Director-Ecology-Scotland
Based Glasgow/Edinburgh/Inverness
What is the Purpose of the role?
As Technical Director – Ecology, you will lead our Scottish terrestrial ecology team, comprising 15 professionals across Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness. This role is pivotal in shaping the strategic direction, technical excellence, and operational performance of the ecology function in Scotland. You will oversee a diverse team ranging from graduates to Associate Directors, ensuring high-quality is delivery across a broad portfolio of projects.
Your day-to-day will be varied—ranging from writing technical reports and responding to planning applications, to developing fee proposals and presenting to statutory consultees. You’ll be expected to manage your own workload and that of your team, balancing routine tasks with high-impact problem-solving. A strong understanding of the Scottish planning system and statutory requirements is essential, especially for defending planning applications. You’ll be a visible leader, engaging with internal and external stakeholders, and acting as a subject matter expert across multidisciplinary projects. You will be responsible for 15 staff across 3 offices, managing 150–170 active projects in Scotland, ranging from £3,000 to £500,000
In the short term, you’ll establish leadership across the Scottish ecology team, build key relationships, and support recruitment to address current resourcing gaps. You’ll also begin contributing to project delivery and strategic planning.
Over the medium term, you’ll drive team performance, meet utilisation targets and lead delivery of high-value projects. You’ll introduce fresh ideas, enhance client engagement, and support business growth through tenders and technical leadership.
In the long term, you’ll shape the strategic direction of ecology services in Scotland, influence business KPIs including profitability and staff retention, and play a key role in expanding our client base and project portfolio.
What are your Core Capabilities?
At RPS Tetra Tech we recruit using core capabilities which are the key areas of skills, responsibilities, and experience required to successfully perform a specific role. As we strive to find the best fit for this position, we are seeking individuals with a minimum level of expertise. But we’ll let you in on a secret: there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you feel you meet 75% of the requirements for this role, we would love to hear from you.
Technical Delivery
You’ll be expected to be technically excellent with a deep understanding of the Scottish and UK ecology market and have led the ecology aspects of large-scale projects. Key reporting skills should include EIAR, HRA, and an understanding of NPF4 and the emerging BNG market within Scotland. Experience of the DCO process or Public Local Inquiry would be desirable.
You will be required to review technical reports from staff within the Scotland team and wider GB business, provide due diligence input to clients and quality assure the input from staff into multidisciplinary projects.
Mentoring junior staff within the ecology team is a fundamental principal of their training, and the candidate will, as part of the Senior Ecology Team, provide input to the internal training programme with a chosen specialist.
Financial Management
The post holder will be accountable for the financial health of the Scottish ecology portfolio. This includes overseeing project budgets ranging from £3,000 to £500,000, ensuring profitability, and managing cost control. The role requires a strong grasp of commercial principles, including revenue forecasting, margin protection, and scope management.
You’ll be expected to make informed decisions on bidding for work and risk management, always keeping the broader business objectives in view. Your performance will directly influence key business metrics such as DSO, profit margins, and overall financial sustainability.
Project Management
You will maintain strategic oversight of approximately 150–170 active projects per year within the Scottish business, ensuring quality, compliance, and timely delivery. While day-to-day project management is handled by the suite of senior staff within the team, you will be expected to understand the details of all major projects and provide senior-level input when needed.
Your role includes supporting fee proposals, managing client expectations, and ensuring that technical outputs meet both legislative requirements and client needs. You’ll also be involved in solving complex, non-standard problems, applying ecological expertise to deliver innovative, compliant solutions. A strong understanding of the Scottish planning system and statutory requirements is essential
Team Leadership
Leading a team of 15 ecologists across three offices, you’ll foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional growth. The team has a well-balanced pyramid structure, and your leadership will be key to maintaining engagement, performance, and retention.
You’ll be responsible for recruitment to meet the increase demand and workflows from our existing client base, and for developing staff through training, mentoring, and involvement in strategic initiatives. Your leadership style should be hands-off but responsive, knowing when to step in to guide decisions and when to empower autonomy.
You will represent the Scottish ecology team at the Senior Ecology Team meetings and be supported in your role by this group of individuals and Senior Directors.
Stakeholder Relationship Management
This role demands strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. Internally, you’ll be a subject matter expert, collaborating across disciplines and contributing to regional leadership discussions.
Externally, you’ll engage with statutory consultees, clients, and partners, often representing the business in high-stakes planning and consultation scenarios.
A strong network of industry contacts and a deep understanding of the Scottish planning system will be essential to success.
Training, Qualifications, Or Equivalent Work Experience
Must hold Chartered Ecologist (CEcol) qualification OR be willing to work towards achieving this as soon as possible. This qualification will be supported by RPS Tetra Tech.
It would be beneficial to have a protected species license, experience of mitigation on large scale infrastructure projects, and a recognised specialism that will add value to the team’s ability to win and deliver work for existing and new clients.
Recruitment Agencies We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.
