Chief Executive, Highland Rewilding & Conservation

McDonald's Inverness High Street; Inverness; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 59,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangements

Senior leadership role with landscape‑

Job summary

Rewilding Affric Highlands is seeking an experienced Chief Executive to lead one of Scotland's most ambitious landscape restoration initiatives, covering more than 200,000 hectares of the Highlands. The role requires strategic vision, strong fundraising ability and the capacity to build partnerships with landowners, government bodies and donors.

You will provide strategic leadership, guide organisational growth, and work closely with Rewilding Europe and the network to deliver measurable

Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in natural resource management, conservation, wildlife ecology or related discipline.
• At least five years of professional conservation experience.
• Significant experience in a senior leadership position.
• Proven experience in fundraising and grant management.
• Excellent written and spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the development and delivery of the Affric Highlands rewilding initiative.
• Lead the charity through its next phase of organisational growth and development.
• Develop and implement a five year strategy aligned with Rewilding Europe's Strategy 2030.
• Set clear objectives, annual work plans, budgets and performance measures.
• Oversee the planning, delivery and monitoring of landscape restoration activities.
• Lead and develop the organisation’s team covering rewilding, communications and enterprise development.
• Report directly to the Rewilding Affric Highlands Board.
• Work closely with Rewilding Europe's central team and wider network of rewilding initiatives.
• Represent Affric Highlands as a member of the Rewilding Europe Network Executive Team.
• Develop constructive relationships with landowners, farmers, local communities and conservation organisations.
• Engage with government bodies, local authorities, businesses, donors and other stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities for new conservation projects and sustainable enterprise development.
• Explore opportunities to secure land access and expand restoration activities.
• Develop and implement a fundraising strategy to support the charity’s long‑term financial sustainability.
• Prepare funding proposals and work with partners to attract investment.
• Oversee financial and technical reporting to funders and the Board.
• Represent the organisation publicly and act as its principal spokesperson.
• Support the development of partnerships that enable practical rewilding projects across the wider landscape.
• Ensure projects deliver measurable environmental outcomes and lasting benefits.

Education

Master's degree or higher in natural resource management, conservation, wildlife ecology or related discipline

Job description

Rewilding Affric Highlands is seeking an experienced Chief Executive to lead one of Scotland's most ambitious landscape restoration initiatives, covering more than 200,000 hectares of the Highlands. The role requires strategic vision, strong fundraising ability and the capacity to build partnerships with landowners, government bodies and donors.

You will provide strategic leadership, guide organisational growth, and work closely with Rewilding Europe and the network to deliver measurable