Tree Strategy and Planting Manager

Surrey County Council is seeking a Tree Strategy and Planting Manager to lead the Tree Planting and Establishment Team. The role involves flexible working between office, site, and home, with site visits required across Surrey. The manager will oversee a major tree planting initiative as part of the Council's Climate Change Strategy, focusing on community engagement and innovative green initiatives. A full driving license is essential.

Guildford, Surrey

Surrey County Council

The starting salary for this position is £43,923 per annum based on a 36-hour working week.

The role works flexibly through a mix of office, site, and home-based working with a requirement to be on site at either Merrow (Guildford), Dakota (Weybridge) and/or Woodhatch Place (Reigate) as and when required. Travelling with sustainability in mind, you will also be required to undertake site visits throughout the County. Please note that a full driving licence is essential for this role.

We’re on the lookout for an exceptional individual to fill the important role of Tree Strategy and Planting Manager to lead the Tree Planting and Establishment Team. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact in overseeing and orchestrating Surrey County Council’s 1.2 million tree initiative, as part of the Council’s Climate Change Strategy. It’s a unique chance to take a leading role in this ambitious project.

Rewards and Benefits

1. 26 days’ holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years’ service and 30 days after 5 years’ service
2. Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
3. An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
4. Up to 5 days of carer’s leave per year
5. Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
6. A generous local government salary related pension
7. Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
8. 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
9. Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

The Team

The Tree Planting and Establishment Team are delivering, championing and facilitating the creation, enhancement, and preservation of tree planting projects within and beyond Surrey County Council’s estate. Working with partners, volunteers and engaging the community to meet our large-scale planting targets. The Tree Strategy and Planting Manager will lead manage the team, providing an opportunity to shape the direction, innovate, embed industry standard good practice and drive the programme to its success. You will nurture and develop the team to realise the overarching objective of our tree planting and establishment objectives, contributing to Surrey’s Greener future.

Why work with us?

1. Catalyst for change: Working in the heart of our climate change agenda increasing the canopy cover for Surrey with biodiversity at the forefront, this will be your chance to make a difference and play a pivotal role in meeting our tree planting objectives.
2. Learning and development opportunities: In our dynamic environment, every day is a learning experience. You’ll have the chance to grow professionally, acquiring new skills and knowledge to support your professional development.
3. Supportive team: SCC operates in a diverse, dynamic, and exciting environment. Through cross team working you will collaborate with experienced colleagues, subject matter experts, and receive peer to peer support for your project.

About the Role

1. Strong Team leadership: As the team manager you’ll be the driving force in reaching out to communities, generating innovate green initiatives and undertaking procurement & overseeing contract management to meet your key performance indicators.
2. Working with Partners and communities: Your skills in communication and building relationships will develop strong networks at local and regional level and, working collaboratively with Surrey’s 11 local councils, internal and external partners to bring the wider community along on our tree planting journey.
3. Green agenda: Your decisions will be aligned with our long-term vision for land use, biodiversity, and nature recovery in line with our strategic priorities, benefiting stakeholders and Surrey residents.

About You

As the Tree Strategy and Planting Manager, you will possess excellent communication and leadership skills as well as the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at various levels. You will have strong project management skills, experience of contract management and be an inspirational team manager. You will have a track record of working in the environment sector, experience of meeting targets and delivering grant applications.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following questions:

1. Tell us about a significant project or programme that you have delivered, in line with a strategy or strategic objective.
2. Describe a time when you used your stakeholder management and negotiation skills to overcome a significant problem.
3. Tell us about your favourite project that you have worked on or delivered in one of the following areas:

• Conservation
• Woodland Creation
• Sustainable Forestry

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 7th January 2024 with interviews to follow.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

1. The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
2. The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.