Principal Consultant – Biodiversity/NbS (Remote – UK only)

Nature-based Insights is seeking a Principal Consultant – Biodiversity/NbS to lead their science team and develop nature-focused analyses. This full-time remote role (UK only) involves overseeing project delivery, developing consultancy services, and driving business development. The ideal candidate will have a strong scientific background, consultancy experience, and excellent client-facing skills. Salary ranges from £50,000 to £65,000, with regular travel to Oxford and London.
Job Description

Contract: Full-time.

Salary: £50,000-£65,000, depending on experience.

Location: Remote, UK. Regular travel to Oxford and London.

About the role

We are looking for a Principal Consultant to lead our science team and drive the development of our nature-focused analyses. In this role, you will play a key part in expanding our impact across partners, landscapes, and commodities—growing our client base and forging new partnerships to address a broader range of challenges and opportunities.

This is a unique opportunity to join an ambitious mission to transform cutting-edge science into actionable solutions for pressing societal challenges. We collaborate with diverse clients to address critical issues like climate change and biodiversity loss, focusing on the landscapes they operate in and the supply chains they depend on. We seek a driven, dynamic professional with a strong scientic background, proven consultancy experience, and exceptional client-facing skills to lead and expand our consultancy services.

The Principle Consultant will be instrumental in delivering and developing NbI’s toolkits and services, covering our landscape programmes with partners, developing and deploying our analytical framework and ensuring our work always delivers value for clients. The role will require a balance of technical expertise, leadership, and strategic vision. The principal consultant will oversee business development, client relationships, project delivery, research, working collaboratively with client and partner teams to deliver high quality solutions and insights.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategy
• Direct the scientific approach for our analytical framework, ensuring alignment with client goals, sustainability principles, reporting frameworks and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee our technical strategy, incorporating best practices and scientific advancements.
• Mentor and supervise a team of scientists, fostering a collaborative and innovative culture.

Project Delivery & Service Development
• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of projects, ensuring outputs meet client needs and the highest technical standards.
• Develop and refine the consultancy’s suite of services, ensuring they address emerging trends and client demands in NbS and nature-related reporting frameworks and legislation.
• Support monitoring project outcomes, ensuring they achieve measurable environmental, societal, and economic impacts.

Technical Oversight
• Oversee the development and delivery of high-quality biodiversity and NbS projects, ensuring they meet scientific, technical, and reporting standards.
• Guide the development of tools, methodologies, and frameworks for nature-based solutions and nature-related risk reporting.

Business Development
• Contribute to identifying and securing new business opportunities, including partnerships and contracts with government agencies, NGOs, and private sector clients.
• Prepare and present compelling proposals, tenders, and pitches to potential clients, showcasing the consultancy’s technical and reporting expertise.
• Strengthen relationships with existing clients, ensuring high satisfaction and retention.

Team Leadership
• Manage and inspire a multidisciplinary team of scientists and technical experts at NbI and through our partnership work.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the team.
• Mentor and support team members in developing their technical and commercial capabilities.

Client Engagement
• Serve as a primary contact for key clients, offering strategic guidance on NbS, sustainability, and reporting frameworks.
• Represent the organisation at industry events and conferences, building the consultancy’s reputation as a leader in NbS and nature-related reporting.
• Advocate for the adoption of NbS, robust reporting standards, and measurable impact within industry and policy frameworks.

Financial Management
• Track financial performance, ensuring that projects are delivered within budget while maintaining high-quality outcomes.
• Develop pricing strategies that balance competitiveness with sustainability goals

Qualifications

Education
• Ph.D. (preferred) or Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Climate Change, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.

Experience
• Specialism in nature-related discipline: 10+ years experience in relevant projects such as NbS, ecological restoration, natural capital analysis.
• Policy, regulation and frameworks: Expertise in TNFD, EU Taxonomy, and related standards, with experience in implementation and client advisory.
• Project Management: Proven track record delivering multidisciplinary projects, managing budgets, timelines, and risks.
• Service Development: Experience creating and refining consultancy services and tools to address emerging trends and client needs.
• Business Development: Secured high-value contracts through strong client relationships, proposal development, and strategic partnerships.
• Team Leadership: Skilled in managing and mentoring technical teams, fostering collaboration and innovation.
• Client Engagement: Engaged diverse clients, from government agencies to multinational corporations, providing tailored solutions.
• Technical Expertise: Proficient in NbS, ecosystem services, environmental modelling, GIS, and monitoring tools.
• Communication: Clear and concise writing, reporting, and presentation skills; effective public speaking and stakeholder engagement.
• Leadership: Inspires and guides teams, develops technical capabilities, and drives high-performance cultures.

Desirable
• Innovation: Experience with emerging tech (AI, GIS, remote sensing) for NbS and reporting.
• Funding: Secured grants or managed public-private partnerships.
• Certifications: Expertise in climate and carbon standards like SBTi, GHG Protocol, Verra.
• International Work: Cross-border project experience and regional adaptation skills..
• Languages: Multilingual abilities for global collaboration.

How to apply

Please send your CV and covering letter to info@naturebasedinsights.com ,

Nature-based Insights is committed to equality and value diversity. We particularly encourage application of women and those that come from minority backgrounds.

Closing date for applications - we are looking to full this post as soon as possible and will review applications on a rolling basis.