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Principal Environmental Scientist/EIA Consultant - Job Opportunity at Hays Recruitment

Cork, Ireland
Full-time
Senior
Posted: May 28, 2025
On-site
EUR 50,000-70,000 per year

Benefits

Competitive salary package positioned above market median for environmental consulting roles
Comprehensive compensation structure designed to attract senior-level environmental professionals
Career advancement opportunities within a leading engineering consultancy framework
Professional development support through mentoring responsibilities and cross-functional collaboration
Access to diverse project portfolio spanning infrastructure and renewable energy sectors

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic project management across diverse infrastructure portfolios, ensuring operational excellence through on-time, on-budget delivery while maintaining industry-leading technical standards
Drive stakeholder engagement and relationship management with clients, regulatory bodies, and subcontractors to facilitate project success and business development
Spearhead business development initiatives through proposal preparation and bid coordination for high-value multidisciplinary infrastructure projects
Execute team leadership and resource management to optimize project outcomes and team performance
Provide technical mentorship and knowledge transfer to junior staff while collaborating across international office networks
Deliver expert-level environmental impact assessments and regulatory compliance documentation to support major infrastructure developments

Requirements

Education

Degree qualified in a relevant science or environmental engineering subject (e.g. environmental science, sustainability, air and climate, noise, geology, hydrogeology etc). Masters qualified in a relevant specialism preferred, but not essential.

Experience

Relevant post-graduate experience within a consultancy environment, specifically in the preparation and co-ordination of EIAR and non-statutory environmental reports

Required Skills

Excellent working knowledge and demonstrable understanding of relevant planning and environmental legislation, and technical guidance and industry standards / best practice, particularly in relation to the preparation of EIARs Proven track record in technical report writing and ability to complete technical reports to required best practice standards Proven track record in project management of major environmental projects and development of bids Experience in sustainability and carbon management for projects preferred, but not essential Experience of providing technical support and mentoring as part of a team Experience in renewable energy projects both on shore and (preferred, but not essential) off shore

Certifications

Chartered Membership of relevant professional body
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The environmental consulting sector is experiencing unprecedented growth driven by accelerating climate legislation and mandatory environmental impact assessments for infrastructure projects across Europe. Ireland's commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050 has created substantial demand for EIA expertise, particularly in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure development. Digital transformation in environmental consulting is reshaping project delivery methods, with increased emphasis on data analytics, GIS modeling, and remote sensing technologies to enhance environmental assessment accuracy and efficiency. The integration of circular economy principles and nature-based solutions into infrastructure planning is creating new specialization opportunities for environmental consultants with sustainability expertise. Brexit implications continue to influence cross-border environmental projects, creating opportunities for Irish-based consultancies to capture UK market share while maintaining EU regulatory compliance expertise.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of EUR 50,000-70,000 represents competitive compensation for the Irish market, positioning slightly above median rates for senior environmental consultants. This range reflects the premium placed on EIA specialization and chartered status, with potential for performance-based increases given the project management responsibilities and business development components.

Role Significance

Typical team structures for this role involve direct oversight of 3-5 junior to mid-level environmental consultants, with matrix management responsibilities across multidisciplinary project teams of 8-15 professionals including engineers, planners, and specialists.
This principal-level position represents a senior individual contributor role with significant leadership responsibilities, positioned between senior consultant and associate director levels. The role carries substantial project accountability and client relationship ownership, indicating high organizational trust and decision-making authority.

Key Projects

Large-scale renewable energy developments including offshore wind farms and solar installations requiring comprehensive environmental impact assessments Major infrastructure projects such as transportation corridors, utilities, and urban development requiring complex stakeholder coordination Industrial facility expansions and modifications requiring regulatory compliance and environmental permitting Climate resilience and adaptation planning for public and private sector clients

Success Factors

Mastery of evolving environmental legislation and regulatory frameworks, particularly EU directives and Irish environmental law, combined with the ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical project solutions Exceptional stakeholder management capabilities enabling effective coordination between diverse parties including government agencies, community groups, technical specialists, and commercial clients Strategic business development acumen to identify opportunities, prepare compelling proposals, and maintain client relationships that drive consultancy growth and market positioning Technical leadership skills that inspire confidence in junior staff while maintaining credibility with senior clients and regulatory authorities through demonstrated expertise and professional judgment

Market Demand

Demand for principal-level environmental scientists remains exceptionally high due to the convergence of climate policy acceleration, infrastructure investment programs, and the renewable energy transition. The specialized EIA expertise required for this role is particularly scarce, creating favorable market conditions for qualified candidates.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Environmental Impact Assessment expertise is absolutely fundamental given Ireland's stringent planning requirements and the increasing complexity of infrastructure projects requiring comprehensive environmental evaluation and stakeholder consultation Project management proficiency directly impacts consultancy profitability and client satisfaction, with the ability to deliver complex projects on time and within budget serving as a key differentiator in competitive markets Chartered professional status provides essential credibility and legal standing for report signing authority, while demonstrating commitment to continuing professional development and ethical practice standards

Beneficial Skills

Carbon management and sustainability expertise will become increasingly valuable as organizations face mounting pressure to demonstrate environmental stewardship and comply with emerging climate disclosure requirements Offshore renewable energy experience positions candidates advantageously for Ireland's expanding offshore wind sector, which represents one of the fastest-growing areas of environmental consulting demand Business development and proposal writing skills enable career advancement beyond technical roles and contribute directly to organizational growth and personal earning potential

Unique Aspects

The combination of onshore and offshore renewable energy project exposure offers rare specialized experience in emerging high-growth sectors, particularly valuable given Ireland's ambitious offshore wind development plans
Cross-jurisdictional collaboration opportunities with UK operations provide unique Brexit-era experience in managing complex regulatory environments and international project coordination
The integration of sustainability and carbon management expertise with traditional EIA capabilities positions the role at the forefront of evolving environmental consulting practice
Direct involvement in bid development and proposal preparation offers valuable commercial experience often restricted to more senior roles, accelerating business development skill acquisition

Career Growth

Career progression to director level typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing principals who demonstrate consistent business development success and technical excellence, with accelerated advancement possible through successful major project delivery and client portfolio expansion.

Potential Next Roles

Associate Director or Director of Environmental Services with P&L responsibility and broader business development accountability Regional Practice Leader overseeing environmental consulting operations across multiple offices and market sectors Independent consultant or boutique consultancy founder leveraging established client relationships and specialized expertise Senior regulatory or policy advisor roles within government agencies or international environmental organizations

Company Overview

Hays Recruitment

Hays Recruitment operates as one of the world's leading specialist recruitment agencies, maintaining strong market presence across multiple sectors including engineering and environmental consulting. The firm's involvement in this search indicates the client consultancy's commitment to securing top-tier talent through professional recruitment channels.

The recruitment through Hays suggests the hiring organization is a well-established consultancy with significant market presence and financial stability, likely representing either a major international firm or a leading regional player with substantial project portfolios
Cork's position as Ireland's second-largest city and a major economic hub provides strategic access to both domestic Irish projects and international opportunities, particularly given the city's growing importance in renewable energy and technology sectors
The emphasis on mentoring, cross-office collaboration, and multidisciplinary teamwork suggests a collegial professional environment that values knowledge sharing and career development, typical of successful consulting organizations focused on long-term talent retention
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