Area Manager (Blean & Weald)

Kent Wildlife Trust is the county’s leading conservation charity with more than 31,000 members and over 1000 registered volunteers. We manage and protect over 9000 acres of land across more than 90 different sites and nature reserves, alongside 2 visitor centres. But we can’t save nature alone. So, we work closely with local communities, businesses, organisations and individuals to protect and restore wildlife and wild spaces and create a wilder Kent for the benefit of people and the planet.

What you'll be doing:

In this role, you will work within our amazing Estates team, managing a small team of Area Wardens to deliver reserve management on nature reserves around the Weald and Blean.

You'll be involved in:

• Overseeing the day to day delivery of conservation activities on the reserves in Weald and Blean areas.
• Managing the process of developing and producing reserve management plans and accompanying work programmes.
• Trialling new approaches to delivery to maximise biodiversity benefit while minimising cost, such as re-wilding or other lower intensity management practices.
• Developing and managing the teams under your area of responsibility.
• Mentoring and advising your team and supporting their professional development where practicable.
• Developing and managing the Blean and Weald reserve budgets.
• Managing Countryside Stewardship work programmes, bids and claims for Blean and Weald areas and assisting with other areas as may be required.
• Ensuring all reserve operations are undertaken in accordance with agri-environment schemes and the requirements of cross compliance.
• Ensuring health and safety processes are adhered to on reserves in Weald and Blean area.
• Fostering positive working relationships across the organisation and externally to further reserves delivery.

What we need you to bring:

• At least 5 years' experience of working in a nature reserve, wildlife conservation or land management context.
• Experience of developing and delivering nature reserve work programmes.
• Management and supervision of staff and volunteers.
• Experience of day-to-day management of budgets.
• Sound understanding and technical knowledge of wildlife conservation and reserve management techniques and methods as they apply to Kent’s wildlife habitats.
• Good understanding of agri-environment schemes and cross compliance and the associated requirements.
• Effective development of working relationships with different teams across different functions within an organisation.
• Self-motivation with a proven ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• We encourage applicants who do not meet every area of essential criteria to apply; your transferable skills may still make you the best candidate!
• We are unable to recruit anyone who does not have a right to work in the UK.
• An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.

What we will offer in return:

We offer exceptional enhanced benefits. Recognising the wellbeing pressures related to the climate and nature crises we face as a society, we provide flexible work options, wellbeing initiatives, and professional development opportunities. Whatever stage of your career you’re at, our comprehensive benefits package at Kent Wildlife Trust can be a key factor in your choice to join us.

Next steps:

If you're ready to join our team and help us create a Wilder Kent, simply click "Apply" to visit our website, where you can find out more about the role and complete the online application form. Be sure to include your personal statement in the space provided and upload your CV, and take a moment to review the Guidance Notes for helpful tips.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview at Tyland Barn, Maidstone on 9th January 2025. We will let unsuccessful candidates know if they have not been shortlisted.

If you’d like to learn more about the role before applying, feel free to email us.

The Kent Wildlife Trust Group is Wild About Inclusion. To us, this means inspiring, empowering and engaging people from all backgrounds, cultures, identities and abilities, to change the natural world for the better. It also means cultivating inclusive workspaces that are free from discrimination, where differences are celebrated, everyone can be themselves and flourish, just like nature!

Closing Date: 13/12/2024 Location: West Blean and Thornden Woods