Conservation Lead (Highland Line) - Saving Scotland's Red Squirrels

Scottish Wildlife Trust; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 28,000; Full time

Job summary

An environmental organization is seeking a passionate Conservation Lead for the Highland Line project focused on protecting Scotland's red squirrels. The role involves strategic planning, operational implementation, collaboration with partners, and strong team leadership. Candidates should have excellent communication skills, be self-motivated, and have experience in project management. This full-time, fixed-term position is based in Blairgowrie, Tayside, with a salary of GBP28,288 per annum.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead project objectives and monitor progress.
• Experience participating in project delivery and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong data management and reporting skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and delivery of project objectives.
• Expand the project trap-loan scheme and support eradication efforts.
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to implement best practices.
• Line manage and support the Highland Line team.
• Oversee operations and ensure consistent data reporting.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Excellent organization

Confident communication

Team leadership

Job description

Conservation Lead (Highland Line) - Saving Scotland s Red Squirrels

Salary: GBP28,288 per annum

Location: Blairgowrie, Tayside

Full time

Fixed term until 31 March 2026 with potential for extension

Closing date: 4th August at midnight

Interview date: Friday 15th August 2025

The Role:

We are looking for a passionate and driven person to lead and deliver Saving Scotland s Red Squirrels (SSRS) project operations across the Highland Line Control Zone. Coordinating efforts to protect red squirrels from replacement by grey squirrels and from squirrel pox disease, through delivering project objectives including developing new rapid response monitoring networks in strategic areas, coordinating island eradication efforts and fostering new partnerships across the landscape to ensure long-term support.

You will work closely with a collaborative project team, partner agencies, and stakeholders to deliver innovative and essential change. This is a chance to make a difference to the protection and promotion of one of Scotland s iconic species.

Key Responsibilities and Duties include:

Strategic Planning: leading the planning and delivery of project objectives and monitoring. Monitoring and evaluating progress to adapt operational priorities and approaches as needed.

Operational Implementation: Including the expansion of the project trap-loan scheme, progressing island eradication efforts, and supporting the development of Rapid Response Monitoring networks.

Collaboration & Coordination: Work with project partners and stakeholders, including scientific agencies, government bodies, and NGOs, to develop and implement best practices.

Strong Team Leadership: Line manage and support the Highland Line team to deliver high-impact results.

Monitoring & Reporting: Oversee operations and monitoring, ensuring data is collected and reported consistently to track success.

The successful candidate will be:

A strategic thinker coupled with excellent organisation

A confident and comfortable communicator

Motivated to work on their own initiative and lead others.

For further details, please download the role description below.

To apply: Please click on the green Apply Now button which will take you through to our application pages.

The Trust is a passionate employer, proactive about creating a culture of diversity and inclusive workplace that promotes and values equal opportunities for all. We welcome individuals from all networks of life, backgrounds, and experiences.

Saving Scotland s Red Squirrels is a partnership project led by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and supported by project partners and the Scottish Government s Nature Restoration Fund, managed by NatureScot.