Venison Project Manager

Cumbria Connect supports its partners in delivering large-scale nature restoration. Deer are part of Cumbria’s natural ecosystem, but their numbers are high and in the absence of natural predators are preventing natural woodland expansion.

What's the role about? 

We are looking for a pioneering individual to support professional, compassionate and coordinated deer management. You will need a toolbox of skills to work with partners to support deer management and to oversee processing of carcasses to provide venison products for sale locally, including business planning, routes to market and promotion of venison products.

Venison should be a local and environmentally sustainable source of high quality protein. People are at the heart of Cumbria Connect, and at a time when people are becoming more conscious of their consumer habits, venison provides an exciting opportunity to involve new audiences in our habitat restoration vision. 

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

Encompassing such a broad range of activities means your skills set may vary across the desired competencies, but we are looking for someone who is able to demonstrate understanding and/or expertise in the following areas:

• Committed to and experience of deer and land management
• Managing staff/people and project
• Business planning
• A disciplined and self-motivated person willing to work in remote locations and in poor weather
• Physically fit and able to cover long distances on foot over difficult terrain
• Holder of DSC2 and Forestry First Aid + F
• Recognised ATV qualification
• A capable communicator with the ability to inspire a partnership approach.
• Media interviews and/or public speaking.
• An understanding of the regulatory framework for deer management and venison production
• Data recording, writing and report compilation skills
• Demonstrable ability to deliver ambitious targets

You will require a a full, manual driving licence that is valid in the UK to enable you to drive our fleet vehicles.

Additional Information:

This is a fixed-term role for 36 months, full-time for 37.5 hours per week. 

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 3 June 2024. For further information please contact bill.kenmir@rspb.org.uk 

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

This role will require completion of a DBS/PVG/Access NI in addition to the standard pre-employment checks.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.