Head of Conservation

This is an exciting opportunity for a Head of Conservation to join the team that will be central to the development of the Trust’s wider land and conservation management works. The post will lead on the implementation of a range of conservation initiatives across the Trust’s land holding, including at Ferry Meadows Country Park, the Rural Estate and satellite sites including Norman Cross, Northurst Farm and the Trust’s tenanted agricultural land.

Working closely with the Director of Landscape and Conservation, you will have a key leadership role in the delivery of the Wild Eye Nature Recovery Project – a flagship 220-hectare initiative connecting local and national communities, partners and stakeholders to support nature, health and wellbeing, education and social cohesion.

The role will encompass a variety of tasks including but not limited to the following:

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, line-manage and develop the Conservation Team, fostering a high-performing, collaborative approach across all workstreams

Strategic Conservation and Land Management

• Lead the development and implementation of conservation strategics, land-use plans, access plans and ecological infrastructure projects

Project and Programme Delivery

• Manage multiple concurrent project workstreams, ensuring efficient planning, resourcing and timely delivery of milestones

Finance, Funding and Commercial Mechanisms

• Develop blended finance approaches using Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), carbon credits, agri-environment schemes and other natural capital opportunities

In addition, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the following knowledge & experience:

• Proven track record of delivering complex projects, with at least 5 years’ experience in programme coordination and/or land management within farming, conservation or environmental sectors
• Practical experience of ecology and nature restoration across a range of habitats, such as lowland heath, calcareous grassland, woodland and wetlands
• Strong experience in business and project planning, including budget development, forecasting and financial monitoring

This role is based at our head office in Ferry Meadows – Ham Farm House, Ham Lane, Peterborough, PE2 5UU, and will be involved onsite in supporting our work at various satellite sites, including the Trust’s land at Eye Green.