OverviewLocation: IrelandsAyesa Engineering is a leading multidisciplinary engineering and project management firm with more than 60 years of experience shaping the future of the built environment. With more than 3,200 professionals in over 16 countries across the globe, the company offers innovative design, construction supervision, and consulting services in key sectors, including transportation, water, buildings and cities, and energy. A Top 50 Global Engineering firm, Ayesa Engineering is recognised for its technical excellence and its ability to manage complex infrastructure projects for public and private clients, combining deep sector expertise with a commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge solutionsWhat You Will Be DongRole Overview:The Associate Director will lead Ayesa Engineering's EIA and ecology team in Ireland, providing technical leadership, strengthening our market position, and driving profitable growth. This senior role combines team leadership, major project oversight, client relationship management, and business development.The successful candidate will be a respected expert in ecology and environmental assessment, capable of delivering complex projects, mentoring a high‑performing team, and developing new opportunities aligned with Ayesa Engineering's strategy.Key Responsibilities1. Technical LeaderLead ecological and environmental inputs for major EIA/EIAR projects across multiple sectors.Ensure technical excellence through high‑quality project design, review, and delivery.Provide expert advice on ecological assessments, protected species, habitats, mitigation, and Irish/EU environmental legislation.Oversee Appropriate Assessment (AA) Screening and Natura Impact Statements and large scale ecology surveys.Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of planning policy, regulatory frameworks, and environmental best practice.2. Project & Operational ManagementLead and manage multiple concurrent ecology and EIA projects, ensuring delivery to time, budget, and required standards.Oversee project financial performance, resource allocation, and risk management.Support multidisciplinary collaboration across Ayesa Engineering's engineering, environmental, and planning teams.Represent Ayesa Engineering at client meetings, design reviews, and stakeholder consultation.3. Team Leadership & DevelopmentLine‑manage and mentor ecologists and environmental professionals across Ireland.Build team capability through coaching, recruitment, and knowledge sharing.Promote a collaborative, high‑performance culture focused on quality and client delivery.Support skills development in ecological methods, legislation, and digital environmental tools.4. Business Development & GrowthLead business development activities to grow Ayesa Engineering's environmental services portfolio.Identify new markets, opportunities, and strategic clients aligned with business objectives.Prepare and lead bid submissions, proposals, scopes of work, and fee estimates.Build strong relationships with clients, regulators, and industry partners.Represent Ayesa Engineering at conferences, industry events, and professional forums.5. Commercial & Strategic Contribution IrelandContribute to strategic planning for environmental services within Ayesa Engineering Ireland.Improve service efficiency, profitability, and client experience.Support development of new service offerings, innovation, and digital approaches.Provide input into forecasting, business planning, and operational performance management.What You Bring1. Technical ExpertiseDegree (and preferably postgraduate qualification) in Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Sciences, or related discipline.Extensive experience in ecological assessment, habitat and species surveys, and environmental reporting in line with Irish and EU legislation.Strong working knowledge of EIAR requirements, Habitats Directive (AA), and related national planning and regulatory processes.Proven ability to act as technical lead on large, complex, multidisciplinary projects.Ability to provide authoritative technical review, quality assurance, and strategic direction on ecological matters.Chartered Ecologist / Chartered Environmentalist (or working toward chartership) strongly preferred.Recognised reputation within the ecology and environmental consultancy community in Ireland or the UK.Experience representing clients at planning hearings, consultations, and with statutory environmental bodies.Experience managing and mentoring multidisciplinary environmental or ecology teams.Ability to motivate, coach, and develop staff at different career stages.Demonstrated success in resource planning, workload management, and delivering to budgets and timescales.Collaborative leadership style with the ability to build a strong team culture across offices.2. Commercial AcumenStrong understanding of consultancy commercial drivers, fee structures, and project financial management.Experience preparing and negotiating proposals, scopes, and contracts.Track record of improving project profitability and delivering work efficiently and to high standards.Ability to identify commercial risks and implement mitigation strategies.3. Business DevelopmentSuccessful track record in winning new work and growing client accounts.Strong existing network within key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, water, or transportation.Ability to identify market opportunities and develop service offerings aligned to business strategy.Confidence in leading client engagements, preparing tenders, and presenting capabilities at industry events.4. Communications & RelationshipsExcellent verbal, written, and graphical communication skills.Ability to liaise effectively with clients, regulators, local authorities, and internal project teams.Skill in simplifying complex ecological and environmental information for diverse audiences.Strong negotiation and influencing abilities.5. Personal AttributesStrategic thinker who balances operational delivery with long‑term planning.Proactive, solutions‑focused, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.High professional integrity and commitment to environmental best practice.Resilient and adaptable, comfortable working in a fast‑paced consultancy environment.Ability to work within large engineering or multidisciplinary consultancy environments.Understanding of digital environmental tools, GIS, and data‑driven ecological assessment.What Success Looks LikeHigh‑quality delivery of EIA and ecology work across Ireland.A motivated and growing team with strong internal capability.Strong pipeline of work and improved market presence for Ayesa Engineering in environmental services.Trusted relationships with clients, regulators, and key stakeholders.What We OfferCompetitive Salary: We offer a competitive salary package to attract and retain top talent in the industry.Flexible Working: Enjoy flexible working hours and hybrid working.Employer Pension Match Scheme: Pension match scheme to help you secure your financial future.Income Protection: Support in safeguarding income in the event of illness or injury.Life Assurance: Life assurance coverage.Training and Development Programme: Access to training and development opportunities.Family & Well-Being Support: Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Benefits and confidential support services.Sports and Social: Engagement in sports and social activities.Increased Annual Leave: 25 days’ annual leave plus statutory bank holidays and additional entitlements with years of service.Recognition Awards: Recognition for contributions through the awards program.We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
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