Land Use & Nature Delivery Partner – Belfast

Summary

The National Trust is committed to restoring nature at scale so that people and nature can thrive together. Through our People and Nature Thriving strategy, we are aiming to create and restore 250,000 hectares of nature rich habitat across and beyond National Trust land.

We are recruiting a Land Use & Nature Delivery Partner to provide specialist land use and nature recovery expertise, supporting the delivery of nature restoration across Northern Ireland. This role focuses on driving practical land use change across the countryside, working closely with farmers and partners to turn tide back the tide of nature’s decline.

What it’s like to work here

You will be part of a land use team, collaborating with estate managers, climate and environment specialists, historic environment colleagues and property teams, working with partners, making a real difference for nature in Northern Ireland. You will also work closely with our External Affairs team, leading on government policy to support nature recovery.

Your contractual place of work will be the National Trust office in Belfast or Rowallane, with hybrid working. We’ll talk about this in more detail at interview, but you should expect to be at a National Trust place for 40–60% of your working week.

What you’ll be doing

In this role, you will provide integrated specialist expertise to support the National Trust’s Restore Nature strategy across Northern Ireland. You will lead habitat restoration and species‑recovery initiatives, supporting farmers to adopt nature‑positive, low‑carbon, and resilient land‑management practices.

You will also represent the National Trust in regional collaborations and use your network of partners and contractors to shape and support large‑scale restoration.

Who we’re looking for

This role is suited to a land use or nature conservation professional with substantial practical experience and the ability to work confidently across disciplines and partnerships.

We’d love to hear from you if you have:

• Knowledge and experience in land use management, nature conservation or ecology, with a strong track record of delivery of medium – large scale projects
• Expertise in nature‑friendly farming systems, water quality, habitat restoration and conservation grazing.
• Experience working with a wide range of land managers and farming systems, building trust and enabling change at scale.
• A sound understanding of the policy, legislative and compliance environment for land use and nature conservation, including the Northern Ireland context.
• Strong consultative, influencing and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and integrate different professional perspectives.
• Project management skills, including experience managing medium‑scale projects, contracts or delegated budgets.
• Vision, creativity and collaboration at the heart if your approach, leading for nature recovery in Northern Ireland sector
• A collaborative and supportive approach, with the ability to coach, mentor or inspire others and a commitment to learning and innovation.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places