[Hiring] Principal Freshwater Fisheries Consultant @APEM

Role Description

Are you an experienced freshwater fisheries specialist with the technical knowledge to lead complex assessments, review scientific outputs and provide expert advice across a range of projects? Are you looking for a role that combines hands-on technical work with the opportunity to influence standards, develop people and grow client relationships?

We’re looking for a Principal Freshwater Fisheries Consultant to join our nationwide Freshwater Fisheries team. This is an exciting opportunity for an established technical specialist to take a leading role in shaping the direction, quality and development of our fisheries services.

• Provide technical leadership across the team, supporting colleagues on complex projects.
• Ensure delivery of scientifically robust, high-quality work.
• Retain involvement in challenging technical projects, particularly desk-based assessments and survey work.
• Maintain and improve technical standards, develop guidance and methodologies, strengthen quality assurance and share best practices.
• Help develop the capability of the wider team through mentoring, training and professional development.
• Develop new and existing client relationships, identify opportunities for new work, contribute to tenders and proposals.
• Work with clients across the water, energy and infrastructure sectors, alongside environmental and conservation agencies.
• Collaborate with specialists across our wider aquatic science and environmental teams.

This is a nationwide role, offering flexibility around location and the opportunity to influence technical delivery across APEM's UK fisheries team.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in freshwater fisheries ecology and ecological assessment, ideally within environmental consultancy.
• A strong track record of designing and delivering freshwater fisheries surveys.
• In-depth knowledge of fisheries science, aquatic ecology and relevant UK legislation and policy, including WFD, EIA and HRA.
• Proven technical leadership experience, including technical review, quality assurance and providing specialist advice on complex projects.
• Experience leading projects, managing competing priorities and delivering high-quality technical outputs.
• Strong client relationship and engagement skills, with experience contributing to business development.
• Experience mentoring, coaching or developing colleagues and sharing technical knowledge.
• Excellent communication skills and the confidence to influence technical standards and approaches across a geographically dispersed team.

Requirements

• Chartered status or working towards professional accreditation (bonus).
• Experience leading tenders and securing new work (bonus).
• Experience developing technical guidance, methodologies, training materials or quality assurance processes (bonus).
• Experience working on large, complex or multidisciplinary projects (bonus).
• A track record of introducing technical improvements, innovation or new approaches to strengthen consultancy services (bonus).

Benefits

• Flexibility built into the way we work to support a healthy work-life balance.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and supported.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.