Natural Capital & Partnerships Manager

About Us 

Situated in Wharfedale, Denton Reserve is a large estate consisting of SSSI moorland, a variety of waterbodies, pastoral, woodland, and arable land. Our vision is to demonstrate how we can secure the future of the English countryside and address the biodiversity crisis through net zero nature recovery, sustainable food production, embracing natural flood management and enriching lives through enhancing access to the countryside. 

We are focused on considering the ecological implications of all the actions we take, and looking holistically at how the estate can benefit and engage with local and regional communities; encouraging access to nature without detriment to the ecology. 

About the job

The Natural Capital & Partnerships Manager will play a crucial role in Denton Reserve’s vision to deliver sustainable net-zero nature recovery. You will take ownership of our overall Natural Capital strategy and implementation plan, as well as responsibility for the engagement and ongoing stewardship of Natural Capital investment opportunities and partners. You will be driving significant growth for the estate and our objectives through the creation and cultivation of long-term corporate investment partnerships, with a key focus on biodiversity net gain, ESG, carbon strategies and other blended green finance options.

Located principally at our beautiful location near Ilkely, you will be working closely with our Estate Manager and Landscape Recovery team and will have the opportunity of regular travel to visit prospects and partners around the UK as required. 

The role is initially a part-time (2.5 days per week / 20hrs) 16-month contract that will support the development phase of our longer-term implementation plans for public funding, with the opportunity of extending to a permanent role thereafter.

About you 

The role will suit someone who thrives in relationship management and successfully securing new partnerships, and ideally has significant B2B new business experience and a proven track record of securing and nurturing corporate partnerships. As a new role for the business, you will have the opportunity to help us develop the best approach to Natural Capital and green funding at Denton Reserve, and the autonomy to make this role yours. 

You’ll be happy to adopt strategic accountability for the ultimate success and implementation of our Natural Capital approach and to develop a programme of work which allows you to identify and nurture high value partnerships. 

You’ll also be excited and able to take on a leading role in our partnership development strategy, to share your network knowledge, generate ideas and bring external insight, as well as facilitate education for our staff, leaders and stakeholders and gain expert and peer feedback to ensure we are headed in the right direction. 

You’ll be comfortable and interested to focus on and/or learn about maximising BNG, ESG, Carbon and blended green finance opportunities where possible, and open to exploring and building new research partnerships with various institutes. 

We want you to be a spokesperson and authority for the project and to work with the wider team on how to best communicate our vision, objectives and success with stakeholders and partners. 

Essential Experience 

You will have strong sales and networking experience with a proven track record of proactive lead generation and securing high-value, lasting partnerships. You’ll also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, particularly an ability to motivate, influence and negotiate with partners, investors, and stakeholders. And a strong sense of business and financial acumen. 

Desirable Experience

A knowledge of biodiversity net gain, ESG and voluntary carbon markets would certainly be helpful but not essential. As would experience or knowledge of current approaches to Natural Capital, Natural Capital frameworks, valuation techniques, accounts etc.

Any experience of landscape recovery, nature restoration, ecological /environment monitoring projects or land management would also be a bonus but not essential provided you are comfortable and excited to learn quickly about new sectors. 

Next Steps 

Please send a CV and cover letter outlining what you believe you can bring to the project and why the role excites you to bernie@dentonreserve.co.uk