Senior Ecologist / HRA Specialist

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Arup is an independent firm of designers, planners, engineers, architects, consultants and technical specialists, working across every aspect of today’s-built environment.

Organizations and governments are becoming increasingly aware of the global nature crisis, their impact on it, and the need to move towards a nature-positive future. However, it can be difficult to navigate exactly what needs to be done, or even to know where to start to implement a solution. But inaction could expose businesses to significant risks, supply chain disruption and potential consumer and investor repercussions. Our integrated nature solutions use nature’s own systems as a design guide, achieving healthier, more resilient environments that support and protect people and communities.

The Opportunity

We're looking for an experienced ecologist with strong Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) expertise to join our growing national ecology team.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex environmental challenges, working at the interface of ecology, planning and policy, and helping clients navigate an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.

You will lead and support HRA work across a diverse portfolio of strategic planning, infrastructure, water, energy and nature projects, working closely with planners, SEA practitioners, environmental specialists and technical experts across the UK and Ireland.

Our current portfolio includes Local Development Plans, Strategic Development Plans, major energy and transport infrastructure projects, carbon capture schemes, water resource projects and nationally significant infrastructure projects. We are also actively involved in emerging areas such as Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs), strategic mitigation, Functionally Linked Land (FLL), planning reform and the future direction of HRA practice.

As part of a growing national HRA community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside some of the UK's leading HRA practitioners, contribute to project delivery, support business growth and help shape Arup's approach to emerging policy and legislative change.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective where individuality is encouraged to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

You will have the opportunity to do socially useful work that has meaning, to Arup, to your career, and to the clients and communities we serve.

We are looking for candidates with:

Essential:

• Degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
• MCIEEM or equivalent
• Strong experience preparing, reviewing and advising on HRA for plans and projects.
• Excellent understanding of the Habitats Regulations, current guidance and relevant case law.
• Experience in assessing impact pathways including recreation, air quality, water quality, hydrology, nutrient enrichment and biodiversity impacts. 
• Experience applying ecological evidence to planning, consenting, and environmental assessment processes.
• Experience working with regulators, competent authorities and multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong report writing, review and technical quality assurance skills.
• Knowledge of wider environmental assessment processes, including SEA, EIA and emerging Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs).
• An interest in strategic planning, planning, reform, strategic mitigation and nature recovery.

We'd be particularly interested in candidates with experience of:

• Local Plan and strategic planning HRAs.
• Appropriate Assessment and integrity testing.
• Functionally Linked Land (FLL).
• Major infrastructure and NSIP projects.
• Strategic mitigation approaches.
• Working with Natural England, NatureScot, NRW or equivalent regulators.

Why This Role Is Different

Environmental assessment is undergoing significant change. Planning reform, Environmental Delivery Plans (EDPs), the Nature Restoration Fund, Environmental Outcomes Reports (EORs) and wider biodiversity policy changes are reshaping how development, nature recovery and environmental assessment interact.

At Arup, we're not simply responding to these changes. We're actively helping clients, regulators and industry partners understand what they mean in practice. This includes involvement in strategic planning, infrastructure programmes, emerging approaches to strategic mitigation and ongoing discussions around the future implementation of HRA.

We're looking for someone who enjoys looking beyond today's guidance and thinking about what comes next. The role offers a rare opportunity to combine delivery of complex HRAs with involvement in policy, planning reform, innovation and thought leadership, helping shape how HRA evolves over the coming years.

You will work alongside a growing national HRA community, contribute to major strategic planning and infrastructure projects, and help clients navigate an increasingly complex and fast-changing regulatory landscape.

What Success Looks Like

The successful candidate will be:

• Be a trusted technical authority on HRA.

• Deliver high-quality assessments and reviews across a range of plans and projects.

• Lead confident discussions with clients, regulators and project teams.

• Apply ecological expertise pragmatically to complex planning and consenting challenges.

• Help teams navigate evolving legislation, policy and guidance.

• Contribute to the growth of Arup's national HRA capability.

• Share knowledge, mentor others and support technical excellence across the business.

• Play an active role in shaping future approaches to HRA, strategic mitigation and planning reform.

Not ready to apply just yet, or have some questions? Please email Lei Padua at Lei.Padua@arup.com. Please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.

What we offer you:

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

Arup offers a hybrid working model and flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance. We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Lei Padua at Lei.Padua@arup.com to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our Application Process

To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

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 the list.

Closing date: 15 November 2026

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