Associate Director - Ecology

The company

Keystone Environmental is an ecological consultancy with a practical, intelligent and pioneering approach to advising its clients. With over 23 years’ experience, Keystone has established an outstanding reputation as one of the leading multi-disciplinary consultancies within the UK.

Since 2022, Keystone has proudly operated as an Origin Enterprises company, an international agronomy brand whose primary focus is sustainable land use through integrated innovative solutions.

Our Origin connection provides employees with all the benefits and opportunities associated with working for a global leader in sustainability, including investment in latest technology, training and development, yet Keystone has retained the professional family feel that attracts clients and employees alike. We share the same values, People, Community, Partnerships, Integrity, and Innovation, which are reflected in all that we do and lie at the very core of our business.

Our vision is simple: to apply technical excellence, practical know-how and innovation to nature recovery, building a legacy of rich biodiversity and restored ecosystems across the UK.

We operate across all areas of industry, from public and private sector clients to large renewable energy schemes, on projects at all scales including some of the UK’s largest Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects. Having established a first-class reputation for habitat creation, restoration, and mitigation, we specialise in conservation driven projects that focus on nature restoration and Biodiversity Net Gain at scale.

Working closely with our Head of Habitats and ecological contracting team, our ecologists find fulfillment in managing projects from inception through to post-consent mitigation works, and clients truly benefit from our multi-disciplinary offering and continuity of service.

The role

To support the projected growth of the business, we now seek an ambitious, energetic, and commercially astute Associate Director (Ecology) to work alongside the Technical Director (Ecology) to lead, support and develop our team of ecologists.

We would like an experienced and charismatic individual, someone who shares our vision and values and will inspire, support, and help grow the ecology team. We offer a friendly, supportive, and welcoming work environment within our Gloucestershire Head Office, situated in an idyllic rural setting just outside Tetbury. In late 2025 we plant to relocate to new purpose-built premises near Badminton, an equally stunning location with on-site parking and easily accessible from the M5/M4 corridor, South Wales, Bristol, Bath, and Gloucester. The new office will enable consulting, contracting and administration teams to operate under one roof, whilst providing bright, modern, and comfortable office space for all.

This is a full-time position, based at Head Office, although we are open to hybrid and flexible working, so this role may be suitable for candidates further afield.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead complex and challenging projects including client liaison, tender preparation, and financial control to ensure effective delivery to Keystone high standards with the support of the Technical Director;
• Input into resource and workload planning including effective line management of in-house and external staff;
• Fieldwork and technical report writing, including peer review and quality assurance;
• Business development including proactive development of client base and commercial opportunities and contribution of material that might be used for marketing collateral e.g. articles, blogs, case studies; and
• Support and contribution to the company vision and business objectives

Core Requirements

• Varied experience within ecological consultancy sector
• Excellent technical report, fee proposal and tender writing capabilities;
• Ability to identify risks and opportunities, avoiding/minimising the former and capitalising on the latter;
• Experience of leading, mentoring and line managing internal employees and sub-contractors;
• A proven aptitude for understanding clients’ requirements and delivering these on time and within budget, without compromising industry standards;
• An excellent working knowledge of UK and European legislation and the planning system, particularly in negotiating effectively with regulators;
• A proven track record in the design and implementation of practical, innovative, and achievable mitigation strategies for protected species;
• Experience of writing the ecology chapter of an Environmental Statement;
• Ability to balance and manage priorities, and maintain good working relationships with clients and colleagues whilst working under pressure;
• An area of specialism, botany, bats and ornithology being the most desirable, and holder of 1 or more protected species survey and/or development licences; and
• Sound experience of using the biodiversity metric for purposes of quantifying net gain.

At Keystone we strive to provide the kind of support that helps you find a work-life balance that enables you to fulfil your potential and grow with us. We offer a comprehensive industry leading benefits package, which is regularly reviewed, and currently includes:

Our standard offer:

• Industry leading salary commensurate with experience
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Enhanced Company pension
• Private medical insurance
• Life Assurance
• Support and dedicated individual training budget to achieve continued growth and career progression
• Company laptop and mobile phone

The perks:

• Quarterly staff appreciation events
• Employee recognition bonus awards
• One paid Community Action Day per year
• Access to internal Mental First Aid Qualified staff
• Employment Assistance Programme

The extras that make a big difference:

• Specialism support – we’re always keen to explore how we might support a particular interest should it align with our business and clients’ needs
• Option for flexible and hybrid working
• Fleet of company vehicles for meetings and site attendances
• Dog-friendly office