Principal Marine Environmental Scientist

Job Description

About the division

Environmental and social considerations are central to Mott MacDonald’s Purpose and its offerings across all sectors and territories. Our environment and social business provides essential services and innovative solutions which anticipate our clients' needs across all sectors.

Overview of the role:

The Marine Environment team is a growing team from a wide range of backgrounds, including regulatory, survey, consultancy, and academic, bringing diversity of experience and interests. We use that diversity to add value to our projects and to find innovative solutions for our clients in a united approach. We are cross-disciplinary working with engineers, numerical modellers, water quality specialist and terrestrial ecologists, which offers opportunities for technical knowledge exchange and continued professional development.

We welcome a forward-thinking person to be part of our growing marine environment offering and are recruiting a Principal Marine Environmental Scientist to join the team. They will help our diverse array of projects, whether that comprises assessing the impact of space launches on the marine environment to developing coherent marine spatial plans or ensuring ecologically sustainable Port authority expansion plans in the UK and internationally.

The environmental demands in the water, ports, infrastructure and power sectors in the UK and beyond need environmental specialists who can think laterally. In partnership with colleagues from other related disciplines and the Mott MacDonald team of marine specialists, you will be accountable for aiding a variety of multi-disciplinary projects for a range of clients across the UK and internationally. The role can span all stages of a project’s life cycle, from design conception to implementation; giving opportunities to positively influence scheme design, enhancements and promote best practice, striving for the best solutions for people and nature. Mott MacDonald are dedicated to sustainable approaches that protect biodiversity and we encourage our clients to do the same.

The role may involve project management, mentoring of junior staff, as well as business development in line with current growth plans subject to the candidates experience and interest and level of experience in each of these areas.

We strive to provide our clients with sustainable solutions by constantly looking at projects from a fresh angle and maintaining relationships, discussing opportunities, and bringing fresh ideas and perspectives. This role will suit dynamic, proactive person who want to work in a growth area of our business, aiding the delivery of marine environmental services in an innovative, client focussed, commercial environment.

Essential-

If you think this could be the job you are looking for, then we would like to hear from you if you have experience in the majority of the following:

• A degree in biology/ecology/marine environmental science or directly related subject is essential and an additional higher degree would be an advantage but not necessary.
• Chartered (or near Chartership) with an appropriate professional body or willingness to work towards membership and Chartership.
• Experience in the UK or International marine consultancy market with a strong client facing approach.
• Excellent working knowledge of marine environmental legislation including planning processes, marine licensing and/or EIA/HRA assessments.
• Business development and strategic planning experience.
• Proficiency in report writing skills, displaying high standards with attention to detail and ability to write accurate and concise reports.

Experience in one or more of the following areas would also be desirable:

• Experience in planning, assisting, and delivering baseline or species/habitat specific surveys to fulfil project requirements related to EIA, HRA etc.
• Ecological enhancements, biodiversity/marine net gain and nature-based solutions.
• Fish ecology, fisheries.
• Marine pollutants, water, and sediment quality.
• International experience and knowledge of ESIA processes.
• Offshore consenting related to submarine cables/renewables/energy projects.

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

Mott MacDonald

Position location: London (Fleet Place), Croydon, Southampton, Reading, Norwich, Colwyn Bay, Leeds
Recruiter contact: Emma Cantley

We’re a global engineering, management, and development consultancy.
Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.

A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs.

We are proud to be a one of Glassdoor’s top employers to work for in the UK, as well as being recognised as a Top Inclusive Company in the UK.

Our values: Progress, Respect, Integrity, Drive, Excellence.

#LI-EC1

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Agile working

Happy to talk Flexible Working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.