Principal Ecologist

About The Role

Are you a senior ecologist ready to lead high-impact projects and shape the future of ecology in Ireland? Want to work across renewables, transport, and conservation while helping develop a growing team? Looking for a flexible role where your leadership, insight, and technical expertise are genuinely valued?

We're looking for a Principal Ecologist to join Woodrow (part of the APEM Group) in Ireland. This is a senior-level opportunity to lead national-scale ecological consultancy across a diverse portfolio of projects—spanning onshore renewables, infrastructure, and biodiversity enhancement. You'll play a key role in shaping our technical delivery, mentoring emerging talent, and supporting strategic growth into nature-based solutions, restoration, and climate-resilient ecological planning.

We welcome applicants based anywhere in Ireland. You can work from one of our offices in Sligo, Dublin, Galway or Cork, or opt for a hybrid/remote setup—whatever suits you best. Occasional travel for site work and team collaboration is expected.

As Principal Ecologist, you'll lead the delivery of complex assessments (EcIA, NIS, AA Screening, EIAR), oversee surveys and project direction, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams. You'll be a trusted voice for clients, regulators, and planning authorities, while helping shape the future of ecological consultancy in Ireland.

To be successful in this role, you'll need:

• At least 6 years' experience in ecological consultancy or a related field
• Strong track record of leading complex, multi-sector ecological projects
• Deep understanding of Irish and EU environmental legislation and planning frameworks
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strategic mindset
• Confidence managing multiple projects, deadlines, and stakeholder relationships
• Experience mentoring junior staff and supporting team development
• Full, clean EU driving licence and flexibility to attend site work when required
• Full CIEEM membership (or equivalent)

Nice to have, but not essential:

• Expertise in a specialist discipline (e.g. bats, ornithology, wetlands, mammals)
• Experience with nature-based solutions, habitat restoration or climate-aligned planning
• Previous work with regulators, public agencies or infrastructure developers
• Experience as expert witness or participation in planning/oral hearings
• A relevant postgraduate qualification
• Field safety training or Emergency First Aid certification (training can be provided)
• Chartered Ecologist status or progress toward chartership

At Woodrow, you'll join a collaborative, people-first consultancy that combines deep local expertise with the scale and resources of the APEM Group. You'll have the freedom to grow your career while making a meaningful contribution to Ireland's natural environment.

You will be offered the chance to work on a variety of projects, many of our employees have worked on projects that have been of personal interest to them. We match this with a commitment to continuous development and learning to support your career. We also offer benefits to look after you, from private medical insurance for all employees, access to mental health first aiders and comprehensive income protection if you cannot work. We also offer superb flexible working options, balancing work with your life.

Next steps

We are focused on creating a diverse and inclusive team. If you can't tick every box on our job description, then we are still keen to hear from you and are open to supporting your development. That may be working part time or supporting you to gain experience in a specific area – we are a growing company and are able to adapt roles to reflect individual skills.

If you think you have what it takes to join our fast-growing business, then please apply immediately on our website. All we need some basic information and your CV, we will review all applications quickly and will respond to all applications.

About Us

The APEM Group is a global environmental consultancy, we work with a range of clients including large corporations and governments to help themunderstand and solvea wide variety of environmental projects in the UK andglobally.Our successful pioneering work has enabled usto grow and combine forces with other businesses who share our ethos andintegrity. At our core, our people are working towardsthe protection of the environment across the globe.
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