Countryside Manager

We have a rare opportunity on the Isle of Wight for a Countryside Manager to lead our countryside team and help deliver our vision for the nature and the climate crisis.

We have a plan in place that will drive us to continue delivering significant landscape conservation across almost 6,000 acres of National Trust land spread across the island, including a National Nature Reserve at Newtown and the iconic Needles headland. In addition, we’ll work in partnership with our tenants and graziers to shape farm businesses with nature at its heart and with other organisations, such as National Landscapes and the Wildlife Trust.

Please apply by attaching CV AND a cover letter. Salary range £36,621-£38,961 depending on experience. 

Leading a team of highly experienced, world-class rangers, you'll be supported by property and consultancy colleagues including an Ecologist, Farming Advisor, Nature Conservation Advisor, Senior Estate Manager, General Manager and the wider portfolio leadership team.

As part of the Property Leadership team you'll help shape the Isle of Wight for future generations across internationally important chalk down lands, fen lands and coastal areas.

As the Countryside Manager you'll lead your team to help support our vision. It's an exciting challenge, as we're managing change to ensure the landscape is resilient to the impacts of climate change and able to help respond to the nature crisis.

You’ll work at a strategic level to lead and deliver our plans to enhance the landscape, whilst balancing this with growing demand from our supporters to access and enjoy the outdoors.

Your team will play a lead role in managing and improving access, delivering conservation projects and engaging with our visitors in the outdoors. Given the changes to how people use the outdoors, you'll review how your team operates to ensure we are best placed to engage.

A key aspect of your role will be to work together with a range of organisations and our tenants– we cannot do everything ourselves and if we are to work at pace we must collaborate with others. 

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

• The ability to lead a diverse team
• Excellent communication skills with experience in partnership management
• Delivered change and results in a leadership role
• A strong understanding of nature conservation
• Confidence in managing budgets, projects, finances, income generation, environmental land management schemes and contracts
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements and other compliance issues relating to the countryside

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 

•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

Click here to find out more about the benefits we offer to support you.