Lead Ranger

Are you a dynamic and experienced countryside professional with a passion for and knowledge of restoring nature; conservation; climate change action and helping people enjoy and be inspired by the outdoors? Someone who can create, confidently communicate and deliver to bring exciting and innovative ideas to life? Do you want to make a real difference for a stunning stretch of the North Cornwall coast and its people? We are offering a rare and outstanding opportunity to lead and put your own stamp on the delivery of our vision for a more nature rich, accessible and resilient coast. 

You'll be supported by property and consultancy colleagues to lead on developing and secure funding for our current amazing in hand land opportunities to really take forward our vision whilst working closely with our tenants and developing partnerships across the piece. 

Our team of staff and volunteers delivers wonderful land, buildings, historic and wildlife conservation, and access for people. A can-do attitude and positive working with our sister teams looking after our let estate, shops, cafés and holiday cottages in North Cornwall creates a one team approach.

From Holywell near Newquay to north of Bude the North Cornwall team has the privilege and challenge of caring for and sharing with people some of the most stunningly beautiful and most loved parts of the North Cornish coast. Strongly shaped by the prevailing Atlantic winds, much of our land comprises cliffs, beaches, coves, cliff top maritime grasslands and open farmland. There are some very special areas of woodland too. Most of the land is rich in natural habitats and ancient monuments resulting in numerous wildlife and archaeological designations. However, many areas would benefit from a sea change through recovering nature.

This is an opportunity to lead our delivery in the western part of the portfolio where we care for 1200 hectares including the groundbreaking nature and access project at Pentire. You will be able to shape and take forward exciting plans for incredibly beautiful parts of the North Cornish coast including Trevose Head and around Tintagel where we are now managing areas of land directly with nature recovery and accessibility as a focus.

You'll join a committed and ambitious team. Reporting to the General Manager you'll work closely with the other Lead Ranger in North Cornwall and the Senior Estate Manager. You'll play a key role on the Property Leadership Team helping to drive the wider portfolio plan, including visitor experience, facilities and commercial. 

As Lead Ranger, you'll initially lead a team of two (Area Ranger and Ranger) as well as our dedicated volunteers. You’ll initiate, plan, develop and coordinate a wide range of land management, capital and cyclical management tasks; commission specialist contractors; manage budgets; and continually develop a programme of conservation, access and engagement projects with a real emphasis on seeking grants such as agri-environment agreements.

You'll use your leadership skills, creativity, grasp of the big picture and professional experience to drive forward our vision and ambitious plans for conservation and access. You'll play a key role in moving forward our nature restoration plans at Pentire, Trevose and Tintagel to start with.

Working with and through farming tenants will also be key to success. You will create opportunities to work with partners and stakeholders to support landscape scale conservation, climate action and access improvements for local communities and visitors on and beyond our land.

The possibilities for personal development are exciting and you will support and help your team and the wider team to be the best it can. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with a balance of leadership, conservation planning and delivery along with strong engagement and communication skills.

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

•An inspirational leader with the ability to lead, develop and ensure the wellbeing of a team of staff and volunteers to deliver effectively

•An excellent communicator with experience in problem solving skills and motivated and adept at working to create and develop partnerships with individuals and organisations

•Experienced in project management and committed to monitoring

•Able to demonstrate an understanding, commitment and leadership in excellent nature conservation, access management and accessibility and climate mitigation and adaptation

•Customer aware and take pride in delivering excellent customer service

•Confident in managing budgets, finances, income generation and contracts

•Knowledgeable and assiduous in health and safety requirements and other compliance issues relating to the countryside and visitor activities

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.