Overview
Ecology Lead – Leiston
Sizewell C’s business is to design, finance, construct, commission, operate, maintain, and eventually decommission the nuclear power plant and related infrastructure at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Overall, whilst the Company is in the construction phase, the Boards’ principal focus is on the development and construction of Sizewell C on time, on budget and to the highest quality and safety standards. The Company is maturing to meet all these requirements.
Sizewell C is economically regulated by OFGEM under the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model similar to other UK electricity distribution networks and Thames Tideway.
Sizewell C construction strategy is to replicate the design of Hinkley Point C, using the majority of the same supply chain, but innovating in the way it is delivered to achieve savings in time and cost of around 20%. The CCO will need to be guided by and incorporate lessons learned from the Hinkley Point C commercial delivery to achieve Sizewell C’s ambition.
Following Financial Completion and Revenue Commencement, Sizewell C is fully funded and is owned by; The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero representing HM Government, La Caisse, Centrica, EDF and Amber Infrastructure.
Sizewell C is entering an exciting phase of growth as we mature into an independent organisation and continue building one of the UK’s largest and most important energy projects. We are now recruiting the below position.
Ecology Lead – Sizewell C
Location: Leiston, Suffolk, (4-5 days a week onsite)
Contract: Permanent, full-time.
Salary: £67,000 – £72,000 – depending on experience
Benefits:
- 5% CIP Bonus
- 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Pension up to 15% employer contribution
- Professional development opportunities
- Flexible benefits – Cash Allowance
Closing date: Thursday 22 October 2026
Help shape the environmental legacy of one of the UK's largest infrastructure projects.
Sizewell C is seeking an experienced Ecology Lead to drive the successful delivery of our ambitious ecological mitigation, compensation and habitat enhancement programme across the project and within our new nature reserves such as Wild Aldhurst in Leiston.
Reporting to the Water, Ecology & Land SME, you will provide visible leadership for ecology across the project, ensuring environmental commitments are delivered while creating lasting benefits for nature in Suffolk and local communities.
What You'll Do
- Lead ecological compliance across the Sizewell C project.
- Champion a nature-first approach that delivers measurable biodiversity gains.
- Ensure compliance with DCO requirements, Protected Species Licences and environmental commitments.
- Act as the Named Ecologist on relevant licences.
- Oversee ecological monitoring, habitat creation and enhancement programmes.
- Build strong relationships with regulators, local authorities and environmental stakeholders.
- Support environmental governance groups and regulatory engagement.
- Drive environmental best practice across project teams and contractors.
About You
You'll be an experienced environmental professional with a proven track record of delivering ecological compliance and biodiversity gain on large, complex infrastructure or construction projects.
You'll bring:
- A degree in Ecology, Environmental Science or a related discipline.
- Strong leadership and stakeholder management experience.
- Detailed knowledge of environmental legislation and Protected Species Licences.
- Experience working in highly regulated environments.
- Excellent communication, influencing and problem-solving skills.
Experience within major infrastructure, energy, nuclear or engineering projects would be highly advantageous.
Why Join Sizewell C?
- Be part of one of the UK's most significant clean energy projects.
- Help create a lasting environmental and biodiversity legacy.
- Work alongside industry-leading professionals.
- Play a key role in supporting the UK's net zero ambitions.
Apply today and help deliver a positive environmental legacy for generations to come.
Behavioural Competences
Humility
Recognise the value brought from different cultures and experiences
Be open to other’s points of view and ideas, be willing to debate and to compromise
Positivity
Positively challenge poor quality and performance
Identify solutions at the lowest possible level
Encourage tier 1s and others to bring new ideas forward
Respect
Value the rules and environment in which we operate
Give and receive feedback with respect
Embrace and engage with new people and ideas
Solidarity
One team, working closely together and helping each other
Empowered teams always looking forward.
Shared responsibility for delivery the project outcomes
Clarity
Communicate clearly and consistently
Promote collaboration and team alignment
Clearer and faster decision making
Drive simplification at all levels
When joining Sizewell C, you may wonder why you are contacted by colleagues with an EDF email or see the EDF logo on portals that you access and/or documentation you receive; this is because we have partnered with EDF for the provision of a number of support services whilst we complete a successful transition out of the EDF group.
At Sizewell C we encourage and embrace diversity and how it can improve our experience and performance at work. It is a requirement that those who join us have the right to work in the UK. Whilst sponsorship may be a possibility that we can explore, we are fully committed to local recruitment where possible, and those already holding the right to work in the UK.
To be appointed to this role, you will need to meet the criteria for Security Vetting, which will, ordinarily, require you to have been a resident of the UK for at least three of the past five years.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
