Lead Ecologist

THE OPPORTUNITY

At Stantec, we believe that protecting and enhancing our natural environment is fundamental to creating resilient communities. As our project portfolio continues to grow across Ireland, we're looking for an experienced Lead Ecologist to join our expanding Environmental Services team.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate ecology professional who enjoys leading talented teams while delivering complex, high-profile infrastructure and development projects. Working alongside multidisciplinary experts across planning, engineering and environmental disciplines, you'll shape ecological strategies that support sustainable development throughout Ireland.

As a senior member of our ecology team, you'll combine technical excellence with people leadership—mentoring colleagues, strengthening client relationships, and helping drive the continued growth of our ecology capability.

YOUR IMPACT

As a Lead Ecologist, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the successful delivery of ecological services across a diverse portfolio of infrastructure and development projects throughout Ireland. You'll lead and inspire a team of ecologists, fostering technical excellence while supporting their professional growth and development. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, clients and key stakeholders, you'll provide expert ecological advice throughout the project lifecycle, from early planning and design through to construction and operation.

You'll take ownership of delivering high-quality ecological assessments and technical reports, including Ecological Impact Assessments (EcIA), Preliminary Ecological Appraisals (PEA), Appropriate Assessment Screening, Natura Impact Statements (NIS) and EIAR chapters. Your expertise will also support project scoping, programme management, tender submissions and fee proposals, while representing Stantec at stakeholder meetings and oral hearings where required. Through your leadership, you'll help ensure our projects deliver positive environmental outcomes, champion biodiversity and sustainability, and continue to strengthen Stantec's reputation for technical excellence across Ireland.

ABOUT YOU

You'll be an experienced ecology professional with a passion for delivering high-quality environmental outcomes and developing the next generation of ecologists.

You'll also have:

• A degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or a related discipline.

• Strong knowledge of Irish ecological legislation, planning processes and relevant European environmental directives and case law.

• Demonstrated experience delivering complex ecological assessments across a range of infrastructure and development projects.

• Experience participating in oral hearings.

• Full Membership of CIEEM.

• Chartered Ecologist

• Excellent communication, report writing and stakeholder management skills.

• The ability to manage multiple projects while leading multidisciplinary collaboration

WHY JOIN US

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.

• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025.

• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered.

• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment to assist with the growth of your career

• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the Ireland - we want you to be part of it!

• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard!

About Stantec

Whether you’re starting out on your engineering career or are looking for a fresh challenge, Ryan Hanley, now part of Stantec, is a great career move.

Based in Dublin, Galway, Castlebar and Cork, we are actively recruiting for team players with experience in any of the following areas – water and wastewater treatment process and network design, integrated network management, structural design, site development, road and bridge engineering, project management and administration.

You’ll be working for a dynamic company with an excellent reputation in the industry.

Stantec, offers a great working environment amongst friendly professionals with an emphasis on teamwork. It’s a company where your ideas and opinions will be valued and your efforts recognised and rewarded.

We have been awarded the silver Investors in Diversity accreditation by the Irish Centre for Diversity for our commitment to quality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace.

ReqID: 8334

Other Locations: Castlebar, Cork, Galway, Dublin