Biodiversity Projects Supervisor

University-of-Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

38 days annual leave

Family leave scheme

Hybrid/flexible working

Cycle loan

Discount bus travel

Season ticket loans

Social clubs

Job summary

The University of Oxford is seeking a Biodiversity Projects Supervisor to lead practical biodiversity projects across University Parks and the Oxford Green Estate. You will combine ecological knowledge with delivery, coordinating habitat work and supervising staff to improve biodiversity on site.

You will assess sites, plan work, oversee contractors, monitor outcomes and keep accurate records, with a high degree of ownership and a flexible hybrid-working approach.

Qualifications

• This role requires a land-based qualification or equivalent practical experience.
• Background in ecology with habitat management experience.
• Experience delivering practical projects with teams or contractors.
• Knowledge of safe working practices and health and safety when delivering projects.
• Familiarity with local authority planning processes is desirable.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication and accurate record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate practical habitat work across the estate.
• supervise staff and contractors on site.
• monitor biodiversity improvements and report on progress.
• oversee Biodiversity Net Gain obligations and project delivery.
• maintain project updates and records in office-based systems.

Skills

Ecology knowledge

Habitat management

Project delivery

Health and safety awareness

Planning processes

Independent working

Communication skills

Record-keeping/reporting

Driving licence

Education

Land-based qualification or equivalent experience

Tools

IT literacy

Job description

Do you care about improving habitats and seeing the results of a project you have helped deliver?

The University of Oxford is looking for a Biodiversity Projects Supervisor to help us deliver a growing programme of practical biodiversity projects across University Parks and the wider Oxford Green Estate.

This is an opportunity to combine your ecological knowledge with practical project delivery – helping make real, visible improvements for biodiversity across one of Oxford's most distinctive estates.

Contract

Full time, fixed term for one year (with the possibility of extension)

About Us

Spanning the historic streets of the “city of dreaming spires”, the University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for ten consecutive years. Here, centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, and our people have the opportunity to contribute to work with lasting impact.

Our Parks team manages University Parks and green spaces across the University's estate. We work closely with the Oxford Green Estate, Environmental Sustainability and colleagues across the University to care for these spaces and create more opportunities for nature to thrive.

What We Offer

Working at the University of Oxford offers several exclusive benefits, such as:

• 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
• One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
• A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
• Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
• Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.

About the Role

At the heart of this role is a simple goal: make our green spaces better for nature and ensure the work delivers the results we intended.

Practical ecological experience will be central to this role. You will be out across the estate assessing sites, coordinating practical habitat work, supervising staff and contractors, monitoring biodiversity improvements, solving problems and making sure biodiversity projects move from plans on paper to improvements on the ground.

Projects will involve improvements to urban sites, grasslands, woodlands, riparian and other habitats. You will help to identify projects, plan work, organise resources, oversee contractors and monitor sites afterwards to understand whether the improvements are working. You will oversee the delivery of our Biodiversity Net Gain obligations. There will also be office-based elements, including project updates, reporting, meetings and keeping accurate records.

You will have a high level of ownership for your projects and the independence to keep them moving.

About You

• A relevant qualification in a land-based discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• A background in ecology and experience managing or improving habitats, green spaces or land for biodiversity or conservation.
• Successful delivery of practical projects involving people working on site, including staff or contractors.
• An understanding of safe working practices and health and safety when delivering practical projects.
• Familiarity with local authority Planning processes and requirements
• The ability to work independently, take ownership and keep several projects moving.
• Strong communication skills and confidence working with people from different professional backgrounds.
• Good IT, record-keeping and reporting skills.
• A full, clean UK driving licence.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 26 October 2026.

Interviews will take place on Thursday 5 November 2026 and will be held face-to-face.