Lead Agricultural Soils Specialist (SME)

Lead Agricultural Soils Specialist (Subject Matter Expert) Location: Birmingham or London Euston (Hybrid Working) Contract: 12-Month Fixed-Term Contract Programme: Working across High Speed Two programme as SME for Soils Salary & Benefits Birmingham: £90,000 – £100,000 + 12% Pension + 25 Days Holiday London: £100,000 – £110,000 + 12% Pension + 25 Days Holiday Can Also be based from site offices along HS2 line of route - Maple Cross (Herts), Aylesbury, Leamigton Spa etc. About the Opportunity An exceptional opportunity has arisen for an experienced Lead Agricultural Soils Specialist to join one of Europe’s largest and most complex infrastructure programmes - HS2. This high-profile role sits at the centre of a nationally significant project, providing technical leadership and subject matter expertise across all aspects of agricultural soils management, primarily supporting the four main civil engineering works contracts. Reporting to the Head of Natural Environment, you will lead on the excavation, handling, storage, restoration and reinstatement of agricultural soils across the programme. You will play a critical role in ensuring industry best practice, environmental compliance and technical excellence are consistently embedded throughout project delivery. This position offers the opportunity to influence strategy, standards and operational delivery on one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure schemes, working closely with multidisciplinary teams, principal contractors, environmental specialists and senior stakeholders. Key Challenges

• Balancing soil nutrient requirements with ecological and environmental objectives
• Preventing and mitigating soil degradation caused by construction vehicles and heavy plant
• Reinstating land to its original Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) standard
• Acting as the lead soils SME across Europe’s largest infrastructure project spanning a significant geographical area

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the programme’s lead Subject Matter Expert for agricultural soils management
• Provide technical leadership on the excavation, handling, storage and reinstatement of agricultural soils
• Develop, maintain and continuously improve technical standards, specifications and guidance documentation
• Deliver technical assurance and governance relating to soil handling, restoration and land reinstatement activities
• Support project delivery teams and supply chain partners in implementing best practice across construction sites
• Undertake technical reviews, assessments, analysis and reporting to support programme decision-making
• Investigate issues, identify root causes and recommend practical, evidence-based solutions
• Promote continuous improvement, innovation and quality standards across the programme
• Support wider agriculture, forestry and land management activities associated with major infrastructure delivery
• Build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders, communicating complex technical matters clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences

About You To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Extensive experience operating as an Agricultural Soils Specialist or Subject Matter Expert within major infrastructure, environmental or land management projects
• Ideally Membership of the British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) or equivalent relevant professional experience
• Strong technical knowledge of soil handling, storage, restoration and reinstatement processes on large-scale infrastructure projects
• Proven experience undertaking Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) surveys
• Experience developing and implementing Soil Resource Plans
• Demonstrable experience leading agriculture, forestry and soils management activities within a major project environment or large organisation
• Strong analytical, investigative and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to interpret technical data and provide robust assurance
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to influence and advise at all organisational levels

Why Apply? This is a rare opportunity to join a nationally significant infrastructure programme in a senior technical leadership role. You will have the opportunity to shape best practice, influence environmental outcomes and contribute directly to the successful delivery of one of the UK’s most complex and high-profile engineering programmes. The role offers a highly collaborative environment, significant technical influence and the chance to leave a lasting legacy on a landmark infrastructure project. If you are passionate about agricultural soils management and want to play a pivotal role in delivering sustainable infrastructure at scale, we would welcome your application