Open roleExternal
Associate Director Ecologist (Belfast)
- Belfast
- Permanent·Hybrid
- Part time
Job Description
Associate Director Ecologist (Belfast) This is your chance to lead from the front and shape the future of ecology in one of Ireland's most dynamic regions.
In the team, you'll play a key role within the office's leadership team - providing direction and helping guide how major programmes are delivered.
You'll take help support the development of a high-performing team, while influencing national-scale development, championing biodiversity, and helping deliver resilient infrastructure for generations to come.
This isn't just leadership - this is visible, meaningful impact at scale.
What's In It For Me
At Jacobs, this isn't just a leadership role - it's a career-defining move.
Lead on a global stage- connect with 600+ ecologists worldwide and influence beyond the UK
Shape your career path- structured progression through our Global Career Framework & Chartership Academy
Build and help lead a high-performing team- develop talent, mentor future leaders, and create a lasting legacy
Collaborate across disciplines- work with experts across water, energy and environment on complex challenges
Win and deliver exciting work- play a key role in bidding, winning and shaping major projects
Be recognised as a leader- represent Jacobs through client relationships, industry events and thought leadership
You'll be given the autonomy, support and platform to lead with confidence and make a tangible difference.
About the Opportunity
We're looking for an experienced and driven Associate Director to help shape our Irish ecology team - a pivotal role within our European ecology business.
In this role, you will:
Help steer the strategic direction of the team, contributing to wider UK ecology leadership
Act as a trusted advisor-the go-to expert for clients, stakeholders and regulators
Lead high-value client relationships and represent Jacobs externally
Although you won't have any defined line management responsibilities, you'll drive team growth, resilience and performance through mentoring and empathetic leadership
Oversee and guide EIA, Appropriate Assessment and biodiversity strategies
Design and lead ecological monitoring programmes and survey strategies
Work across disciplines to deliver integrated, innovative project solutions
Play a key role in identifying, bidding and winning new work
Champion your team internally, raising its profile across the wider business
This is a rare opportunity to step into a role where you can combine technical excellence, strategic thinking and people leadership - all while working on projects that truly matter. You're an experienced ecology leader who brings both credibility and vision.
A strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience
Chartered status (or ready to achieve it)
A strategic mindset, with the ability to contribute to senior leadership decisions
Strong client-facing skills and confidence engaging with stakeholders and regulators
A flexible approach, with willingness to travel across the UK and Ireland when needed
A proactive, hands-on leadership style with strong self-awareness
The ability to adapt and thrive across diverse, complex projects
We'd be especially excited if you bring experience in:
Innovative scoping of ecological inputs
Protected species licensing and biodiversity enhancements
Project consenting and construction environments
Stakeholder and regulator engagement
Planning inquiries and examinations
But beyond experience, what really matters is your ability to think differently, challenge the status quo, and spot opportunities to improve how we deliver for our clients.
Why Join Now?
Because this is more than a leadership role - it's your chance to define the future of ecology within a global organisation while working on projects that shape the world around us.
If you're ready to lead, influence and grow at scale, we'd love to hear from you.
People are Jacobs' greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. In addition to the benefits you'd expect, Irish employees also receive:
Our Benefits
In addition to the benefits you'd expect, UK employees also receive:
up to 10% company contribution into their pension,
reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships,
support to their local communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched-funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations,
opportunity to buy/sell annual leave.
Wellbeing support and resources
free employee medical cover and digital GP service, including support for obtaining formal diagnosis for ASD, ADHD and Tourette syndrome under Private Medical Insurance
a mindfulness platform,
dedicated Workplace Support 1:1 Counselling Consultations,
confidential information & counselling service provided by Optum. Emotional Wellbeing Solutions is a free confidential information and counselling service available 24/7 via phone or online. Experienced consultants are available to discuss finance, legal, family matters and counselling can be provided for personal support,
online demand fitness platform provided by Daily Burn,
personalised financial planning and support provided by Origin, with 1:1 access to dedicated certified financial planners.
Fertility and family benefits and support:
enhanced parental leave pay,
Fertility, reproductive health and family-building support through Carrot, including fertility preservation, fertility treatment, adoption, surrogacy, donor assistance, pregnancy menopause and low testosterone support
a free parental success solution and neurodiversity training benefit provided by RethinkCare Family. The family solution gives you and your family 24/7 access to behavioural health support tools and resources to help parents or caregivers of children raise happy, healthy and resilient children: 1:1 digital & live support - unlimited access to Board Certified Behaviour Analysts and thousands of clinically validated audio/visual trainings, including support with ADHD & developmental disabilities.
Bridge the Gap is our parental transition programme which aims to make Jacobs employer of choice for working parents, supporting them before, during and after the life-changing milestone of becoming a parent. Bridge the Gap supports our efforts to create an environment where we can bring our authentic selves to work and achieve our full potential.
Work-life balance and flexibility is a key focus area for Jacobs. We're happy to discuss the different working patterns we offer:
hybrid working,
part-time roles,
flexible working hours including compressed hours (working full-time hours over fewer days),
annualised hours contract (working a defined number of hours over a year with an estimated average weekly hour pattern), and
desk-based only roles.
Belfast Antrim United Kingdom Environmental Environmental
Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.
With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You'll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you'll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals - all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs .
We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we're more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here .
Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles.
As a disability confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better . click apply for full job details
In the team, you'll play a key role within the office's leadership team - providing direction and helping guide how major programmes are delivered.
You'll take help support the development of a high-performing team, while influencing national-scale development, championing biodiversity, and helping deliver resilient infrastructure for generations to come.
This isn't just leadership - this is visible, meaningful impact at scale.
What's In It For Me
At Jacobs, this isn't just a leadership role - it's a career-defining move.
Lead on a global stage- connect with 600+ ecologists worldwide and influence beyond the UK
Shape your career path- structured progression through our Global Career Framework & Chartership Academy
Build and help lead a high-performing team- develop talent, mentor future leaders, and create a lasting legacy
Collaborate across disciplines- work with experts across water, energy and environment on complex challenges
Win and deliver exciting work- play a key role in bidding, winning and shaping major projects
Be recognised as a leader- represent Jacobs through client relationships, industry events and thought leadership
You'll be given the autonomy, support and platform to lead with confidence and make a tangible difference.
About the Opportunity
We're looking for an experienced and driven Associate Director to help shape our Irish ecology team - a pivotal role within our European ecology business.
In this role, you will:
Help steer the strategic direction of the team, contributing to wider UK ecology leadership
Act as a trusted advisor-the go-to expert for clients, stakeholders and regulators
Lead high-value client relationships and represent Jacobs externally
Although you won't have any defined line management responsibilities, you'll drive team growth, resilience and performance through mentoring and empathetic leadership
Oversee and guide EIA, Appropriate Assessment and biodiversity strategies
Design and lead ecological monitoring programmes and survey strategies
Work across disciplines to deliver integrated, innovative project solutions
Play a key role in identifying, bidding and winning new work
Champion your team internally, raising its profile across the wider business
This is a rare opportunity to step into a role where you can combine technical excellence, strategic thinking and people leadership - all while working on projects that truly matter. You're an experienced ecology leader who brings both credibility and vision.
A strong background in terrestrial ecology with significant industry experience
Chartered status (or ready to achieve it)
A strategic mindset, with the ability to contribute to senior leadership decisions
Strong client-facing skills and confidence engaging with stakeholders and regulators
A flexible approach, with willingness to travel across the UK and Ireland when needed
A proactive, hands-on leadership style with strong self-awareness
The ability to adapt and thrive across diverse, complex projects
We'd be especially excited if you bring experience in:
Innovative scoping of ecological inputs
Protected species licensing and biodiversity enhancements
Project consenting and construction environments
Stakeholder and regulator engagement
Planning inquiries and examinations
But beyond experience, what really matters is your ability to think differently, challenge the status quo, and spot opportunities to improve how we deliver for our clients.
Why Join Now?
Because this is more than a leadership role - it's your chance to define the future of ecology within a global organisation while working on projects that shape the world around us.
If you're ready to lead, influence and grow at scale, we'd love to hear from you.
People are Jacobs' greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. In addition to the benefits you'd expect, Irish employees also receive:
Our Benefits
In addition to the benefits you'd expect, UK employees also receive:
up to 10% company contribution into their pension,
reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships,
support to their local communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched-funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations,
opportunity to buy/sell annual leave.
Wellbeing support and resources
free employee medical cover and digital GP service, including support for obtaining formal diagnosis for ASD, ADHD and Tourette syndrome under Private Medical Insurance
a mindfulness platform,
dedicated Workplace Support 1:1 Counselling Consultations,
confidential information & counselling service provided by Optum. Emotional Wellbeing Solutions is a free confidential information and counselling service available 24/7 via phone or online. Experienced consultants are available to discuss finance, legal, family matters and counselling can be provided for personal support,
online demand fitness platform provided by Daily Burn,
personalised financial planning and support provided by Origin, with 1:1 access to dedicated certified financial planners.
Fertility and family benefits and support:
enhanced parental leave pay,
Fertility, reproductive health and family-building support through Carrot, including fertility preservation, fertility treatment, adoption, surrogacy, donor assistance, pregnancy menopause and low testosterone support
a free parental success solution and neurodiversity training benefit provided by RethinkCare Family. The family solution gives you and your family 24/7 access to behavioural health support tools and resources to help parents or caregivers of children raise happy, healthy and resilient children: 1:1 digital & live support - unlimited access to Board Certified Behaviour Analysts and thousands of clinically validated audio/visual trainings, including support with ADHD & developmental disabilities.
Bridge the Gap is our parental transition programme which aims to make Jacobs employer of choice for working parents, supporting them before, during and after the life-changing milestone of becoming a parent. Bridge the Gap supports our efforts to create an environment where we can bring our authentic selves to work and achieve our full potential.
Work-life balance and flexibility is a key focus area for Jacobs. We're happy to discuss the different working patterns we offer:
hybrid working,
part-time roles,
flexible working hours including compressed hours (working full-time hours over fewer days),
annualised hours contract (working a defined number of hours over a year with an estimated average weekly hour pattern), and
desk-based only roles.
Belfast Antrim United Kingdom Environmental Environmental
Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.
With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we've gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You'll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you'll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals - all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs .
We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we're more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here .
Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit to view and access our roles.
As a disability confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better . click apply for full job details