Avalon Marshes Business Manager & Engagement (Ref: 6326)

Natural England; Dunwear; Hybrid; GBP 31,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental environmental organization is looking for a motivated individual to manage operational tasks and ensure Health & Safety while working closely with stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of facilities management and experience in monitoring budgets. This role is essential for enhancing community engagement and promoting well-being through nature. Key responsibilities include leadership, compliance coordination, and facilitating public involvement in environmental initiatives. This is a full-time position with flexible working arrangements available.

Benefits

Civil Service pension

Generous leave allowance of 33 days per year

Flexible working options

Access to Civil Service Sport Club and social events

Qualifications

• Knowledge of facilities management principles and legal obligations for public spaces.
• Experience in monitoring budgets and supporting funding applications.
• Ability to engage partners and facilitate community outreach.

Responsibilities

• Manage operational tasks ensuring Health & Safety compliance.
• Coordinate with facilities management and engage with stakeholders.
• Contribute to public engagement events and promote social prescribing.

Skills

Leadership for safe working practices

Health and Safety compliance

Stakeholder relationship management

Budget monitoring

Computer proficiency in standard office software

Education

Current and valid driving licence

First Aid training

Job description

Do you have a passion for nature and the environment? Do you want to make a real difference and secure significant environmental gains in the present and the future? Do you enjoy working in a team? Can you see yourself advising communities and customers to maximise gains for the natural environment? If this appeals to you, a career at Natural England offers rewarding opportunities to secure environmental improvements and play your part in creating a better future for people and nature.

Priority Work

• Establishing a Nature Recovery Network to help wildlife thrive
• Monitoring environmental changes to identify and help reduce the effects of climate change
• Working with farmers and landowners to develop greener food production methods
• Advising on plans for new developments to maximise gains for nature
• Providing ways for people to better connect with nature, including green social prescribing

We are the Government's Adviser for the natural environment, playing a vital role in delivering the Government's 25 Year Environment Plan, an ambitious vision that brings new opportunities to protect and enhance, and to achieve real outcomes for the environment.

Responsibilities

Managing operational tasks, ensuring Health & Safety compliance, coordinating with facilities management providers, engaging tenants and stakeholders, and creating a safe, accessible environment for staff, tenants, volunteers and the public. The role also contributes to the 'Connecting People with Nature' portfolio by collaborating with partners such as the NHS to facilitate public engagement events and promote social prescribing, enhancing mental and physical health and overall wellbeing.

Required skills include:

• Providing leadership of a safe working practice culture, implementing H&S frameworks and cascading key information across one or more NNR groups.
• Providing feedback on risks and issues to the H&S team and supporting development of new guidance and procedures.
• Assisting in identifying investment needs and securing capital investment, external funding, and supporting major capital projects.
• Researching and producing strategic plans for alternative facilities management provision, generating substantial cost and efficiency savings.
• Managing stakeholder relationships with tenants, contractors and visitors; handling emerging challenges and maintaining legal compliance.
• Developing opportunities for local and regional networks and partnerships across NNR delivery.
• Linking into wider partnership ambitions and promoting inclusion with diverse audiences.
• Working with Area Team and national communications to promote NNRs and the Connecting People with Nature and Nature Recovery Network strategies.
• Seeking innovative opportunities for NNRs to demonstrate organisational goals for inclusion, outreach, and visitor experience.

Location: The role is based at the Avalon Marshes Centre in Glastonbury, Somerset, with some homeworking and flexible arrangements. Candidates must be located within Somerset or be able to travel to the centre at least 4 days a week. A working driving licence is desirable. Occasional weekend and out‑of‑hours work may be required.

Qualifications

• Current and valid driving licence (desirable)
• First Aid training (desirable)
• Successful completion of a criminal record check
• Baseline personnel security standard checks for government asset users
• Understanding of facilities management principles, health and safety compliance, maintenance coordination, and legal obligations for public spaces.
• Ability to monitor budgets, track expenditure, and support funding applications.
• Skills in managing relationships with tenants, contractors, and partners to ensure smooth operations and compliance.
• Awareness of strategies for connecting people with nature, including social prescribing and outreach to diverse audiences.
• Competence in using standard office software and digital platforms for communication, reporting and engagement.

Competencies

Professional Competency – Technical Skills and Knowledge

• Understanding of facilities management principles, including health and safety compliance, maintenance coordination, and legal obligations for public spaces.
• Ability to monitor budgets, track expenditure, and support funding applications.
• Skills in managing relationships with tenants, contractors, and partners to ensure smooth operations and compliance.
• Awareness of strategies for connecting people with nature, including social prescribing and outreach to diverse audiences.
• Competent in using standard office software and digital platforms for communication, reporting and engagement.

Professional Competency – Working Safely

• Understanding the duty of care owed to all visitors, contractors or others on NNRs, and adherence to appropriate legislation and Natural England policies and procedures.
• Application of risk management principles and safe working practices in all contexts.

Professional Competency – Work Delivery

• Manage and deliver work to meet agreed targets and deadlines.
• Consider financial implications of work and seek income from Natural England products and services.

Professional Competency – Putting People at the Heart of the Environment

• Understanding the importance of people accessing and engaging with the natural environment while balancing conservation objectives.
• Nurturing trusting partnerships and collaborating to achieve pragmatic outcomes supporting Natural England's vision, mission and aims.

Reasonable Adjustment

To support candidates who require a reasonable adjustment at interview, or any other consideration, please notify us at application stage or well in advance of your interview.

Interview Assessment

The assessment uses competency-based evaluation and will assess candidates against the following competencies:

• Technical Skills & Knowledge
• Working Safely
• Work Delivery
• Putting People at the Heart of the Environment

Applicants should prepare relevant examples using the STAR format, unless the Technical Skills & Knowledge competency does not require it. Each competency example should be no more than 250 words.

Next Steps

If successful at the shortlisting stage, you will be invited to attend an interview via MS Teams or an alternative. Successful candidates will be allocated roles in merit order based on interview scores and location preferences.

Location

The role is based at the Avalon Marshes Centre in Glastonbury, Somerset, with some homeworking and flexible arrangements. Candidates must be located within Somerset or be able to travel to the centre at least 4 days a week. Travel expenses for work‑related travel will be paid; home‑to‑office travel is not reimbursed.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: £30,850 per annum. Natural England contributes £8,937 towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme, a 28.97% employer contribution.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• Flexible working options
• Inclusive and diverse culture
• Civil Service pension
• Generous leave allowance (33 days per year pro‑rata)
• Discounts on shopping vouchers, cycle‑to‑work scheme, childcare vouchers
• Access to Civil Service Sport Club and social events

Natural England is a fantastic place to work, where difference is celebrated. We're committed to fairness and equality. Our inclusive culture and diversity networks support an inclusive environment.