Business Analyst

Conservation and nature markets have become a key part of the tool kit for helping nature and climate to thrive. They can help bring in more money where traditional fundraising isn’t enough nor is public grant funding. We know that there is now a market for nature and environmental benefits. Many companies need to invest because their shareholders want to see more being done for the environment. In addition, there is a growing regulatory push for them to do so. This goes for individual corporations (large companies) as well as fund managers who bring together different pots of money and create a package to be invested. 

We have a fantastic opportunity to explore this green market both on our estate and off-estate, working with others. Our Conservation Investment (CI) team is exploring these opportunities and developing pipelines of viable projects. 

A vital component of the CI team’s work is commercial analysis to design, scrutinise and implement projects on and off the RSPB estate. You will be working across different ecosystem services, including carbon, biodiversity net gain and others such as nutrient neutrality and natural flood management. You will be helping RSPB site teams to develop their business cases and compare them against traditional agriculture and agri-environment funding. You will be working with our country teams across the UK to help them develop their financial plans which combine revenue from ecosystem services with public and other sources funding. You will be supporting the RSPB to acquire new sites to restore for nature and climate. You will be at the forefront of making more nature a reality for both our own operations but also in our priority landscapes for our priority species. Finally, you will be analysing how the RSPB’s business processes and policies can help us deliver these green market opportunities.? 

About the Role 

On a day-to-day basis you will be working with teams across the RSPB to develop business and financial cases for nature markets. It will be varied and working in new and exciting markets that will benefit nature and delivering the RSPB’s strategy. You could be looking at the options for an acquisition of land and how they might perform for BNG, and carbon compared with commercial farming. You might be diving into some governance linked to how we set up projects and schemes with partners both on and off our estate.  

You will be with a team of passionate and highly skilled nature market experts in our conservation investment team. They can support you with your work and give your insight into solutions and potential blockers.  

You will help teams to: 

• Analyse and understand business problems or opportunities, with a particular focus on financial viability;
• Undertake research and analysis into business services, and identify areas for improvement;
• Use analysis-led insights to make decisions on prioritisation and minimum viable product;
• Ensure new products and services meet business and user needs, and are aligned with organisational goals; and
• Understand any business and policy constraints that need to be considered and assess the implications.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Experience of commercial analysis of business opportunities and related project finance including profit and loss and cashflows;
• Experience of working with multiple stakeholders (e.g. landowners, farmers) and understanding their financial interests and flows;
• Experience of developing and working in partnerships to achieve shared outcomes;
• Experience of delivering projects;
• Logical & methodical, analytical and a good eye for detail;
• Strong written and oral communications skills to persuade and influence a wide range of people, both internally and externally;
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to find creative solutions;
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances;
• Leadership ability, able to lead and influence without line management authority.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience: 

• Knowledge of nature market-related products and structures; and
• Experience of working to a standard project management approach (e.g. RSPB Project Management Framework, Prince2).

Additional Information

This is a 2 year full-time post working 37.5 hours per week. For further information please contact: [email protected]

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. 

We are aiming to conduct interviews on or around the 23rd of July 2025.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application. 

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. 

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.?