Head of Conservation

Head of Conservation
Ashbocking, near Ipswich
Up to £42,000

Suffolk Wildlife Trust is Suffolk’s nature charity – the only organisation dedicated wholly to safeguarding Suffolk’s wildlife and countryside

As Head of Conservation you will develop and implement our conservation vision to make Suffolk a richer place for wildlife and people.  You will help drive the changes needed to make Suffolk’s countryside a place where wildlife thrives. You will join the Trust’s Senior Management Team and play a leading role developing and delivering our future strategy.

Our fantastic suite of nature reserves includes three National Nature Reserves which have been the focus of innovative projects (e.g. the restoration of Redgrave & Lopham Fen NNR), and habitat creation (Hen Reedbeds, Suffolk Coast NNR) as well as the creation of new habitat mosaics on former arable land (Arger Fen & Spouse’s Vale).

Thanks to an HLF grant of £4 million we will now create a 1,000 acre nature reserve in the Broads National Park on the edge of Lowestoft.  Under your supervision and guidance former arable fields will become reedbed, fen and wetlands to attract some of the UK’s rarest breeding species. You will also oversee changes at Black Bourn Valley where a 300 acre former arable farm is developing into a mosaic of rough grassland, scrub and wet woodland.

We manage land for corporate partners such as Essex & Suffolk Water, Anglian Water and EDF at Sizewell. You will develop these relationships to secure further gains for wildlife. You will manage the Trust’s wider conservation resources, such as our conservation advisers and planning team, who influence the management of Suffolk’s wider countryside. You will also lead the recruitment of a new role of Farm Conservation Advisor who will help deliver our Living Landscapes vision by working with farmers.

We are looking for someone with considerable experience of leading staff and volunteers and has the vision and motivation to inspire others.  You should have substantial experience in the delivery of nature conservation on nature reserves and in the wider countryside in the UK.  Experience of managing budgets and as a media spokesperson on nature conservation issues is required.

If you have a sound understanding of policies affecting the natural environment and the principles of ecology and habitat management, we would love to hear from you!

Closing date: 18 May 2018
Interviews will be held on: 7th June 2018