Site Manager - West

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a conservation charity for everyone who cares about nature in Sussex. We focus on protecting the wonderfully rich natural life that is found across our towns, countryside and coast. By working alongside local people we create opportunities for us all to connect with nature and for nature to thrive in even the most unlikely places.

We are now in a critical decade for change to protect and restore nature with the help of more people taking action for wildlife. Now is the time for an ambitious action plan to match the scale and urgency of the challenges we are facing. Our new Strategic Plan – Our Wild Sussex – will be launched in April and sets out our vision and commitment to turning the tide for wildlife so that by 2030, nature in Sussex will be in recovery.

To deliver our new strategic aims, we have recently completed a comprehensive restructure of the charity to align to our goals. This restructure has generated a suite of new roles and opportunities which will enable us to achieve our ambitions of restoring and protecting at least 30% of Sussex land and sea for nature, inspiring one in four people in Sussex to take meaningful action for wildlife, building a stronger more inclusive and diverse organisation and becoming a net zero and climate resilient organisation.

In order to encourage diversity and inclusivity within the environment sector, we particularly welcome applications from people who have an ethnically or geographically diverse background, who are non-graduates and/or are living in economically deprived areas

The Person

We are looking for a highly experienced nature conservation professional with a broad range of experience of managing dynamic nature reserves, detailed knowledge of land management and associated funding and legislative frameworks. You will have a passion for wildlife, and strong technical knowledge in habitat creation and restoration techniques. You will be highly organised, able to create clear work plans, and help lead and manage and inspire your team in managing these special places.

You will be a strong communicator able to work with a range of partners and stakeholders, to be able to build a strong community partnership to take these Reserves forward as part of our nature recovery strategy. You will be able to inspire people about wildlife and enjoy engaging staff, volunteers and the public to enable their connection to nature.

The Role

This role will manage our western portfolio, covering over 750ha (1800 acres) you will oversee the management of these dynamic, highly designated nature reserves. Your reserves will include Butcherlands, our pioneering Rewilding project consisting of flower-rich meadows and newly developing wood pasture with scrubland bursting with Nightingales. You will also manage Iping Common, one of the largest blocks of lowland heathland in West Sussex, home to breeding Nightjar and Dartford Warbler.

You will be responsible for managing a Ranger team, ensuring your team are motivated and managed effectively to deliver on conservation targets. You will also work closely with our Senior Ecologist, Head of Nature Reserves, Conservation Grazing Manager, other teams across Sussex Wildlife Trust and the wider Wildlife Trust movement along with a wide range of volunteer groups and contractors. You will ensure the sites are managed safely and effectively and continue to thrive, both for wildlife and for opportunities to engage people in understanding the sites and wider conservation issues.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays each year (pro-rated for part time staff)
• Pension – company contribution from 6% and employee contribution of 3%
• Life Assurance - Pension Scheme Members 2 x Salary, Non-Pension Scheme Members 1 x Salary
• 2 days paid leave for volunteering each year
• Flexible working policy
• Enhanced Sick Pay
• EAP
• Employee discounts
• Informal car share arrangements