Community Engagement Manager

The Trust offers hybrid working, with staff splitting their time between offices, reserves, visitor centres and some remote work, depending on their role. This role is based at Tyland Barn, Maidstone, travel will be required as needed.

About us: 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: We are looking for a passionate and committed leader in community engagement to drive forward our mission at Kent Wildlife Trust. Our goal is to see 25% of people in Kent taking action for nature by 2030. As Wilder Engagement Manager, you will lead our Wilder Engagement Team to develop and implement innovative approaches to community organising and stakeholder engagement, ensuring people and wildlife can thrive together. This role is pivotal in delivering real change for nature, empowering communities, and integrating social science into our conservation work. Your key responsibilities will include:

• Community & Stakeholder Engagement – Building and nurturing relationships with local communities and key stakeholders to support coexistence with wildlife.
• Community Organising – Leading and implementing an evidence-based approach that empowers communities to take meaningful action for nature.
• Social Science & Impact Measurement – Overseeing the monitoring and evaluation of our engagement efforts, working closely with the Monitoring & Evidence team.
• Leadership & Collaboration – Managing and supporting a team of passionate community organisers while working in partnership with a wide range of organisations and experts.
• Strategic Development – Championing community organising within Kent Wildlife Trust, influencing best practices and securing sustainable funding for engagement initiatives.

Our work includes exciting species reintroduction and wilding projects such as Pine Martens, European Bison, Red-billed Chough, and Beavers, as well as large-scale landscape restoration projects. You will play a vital role in ensuring these projects are developed in partnership with communities, creating lasting change for both people and wildlife.

What we need you to bring: You are a passionate and driven leader, committed to supporting communities and empowering local people to take action for nature. You will thrive in this role if you:

• Have experience in community engagement, organising, or stakeholder relationship management.
• Are an excellent communicator who can build relationships with diverse groups, from local volunteers to policymakers.
• Are strategic and solutions-focused, with the ability to lead, inspire and support a team.
• Have knowledge or experience of social science methodologies for monitoring and evaluation.
• Understand the barriers to community involvement in conservation and have ideas for how to overcome them.
• Have experience working with underrepresented groups and are committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice.

If you are passionate about connecting people and nature, we want to hear from you. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Please read the job description for the full person specification.

Kent Wildlife Trust believes that everyone has a responsibility to safeguard children, young people, and adults at risk; we are committed to ensuring their safety and wellbeing is at the heart of our engagement with people. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to references, Disclosure and Barring Service checks along with other relevant employment checks as appropriate to the role.

Appointment is dependent upon a satisfactory DBS check. We are unable to recruit anyone who does not have a right to work in the UK.

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 now' to apply via our website. Here 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 an in-person interview at Tyland Barn, Maidstone, date to be confirmed. We will let unsuccessful candidates know if they have not been shortlisted.

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!

REF-221 115

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