Countryside Manager

National Trust; Norwich; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 10%

Free NT entries

Deposit loan

Season ticket loan

EV car lease

Perks at work

Holiday allowance 32 days

Flexible working

Employee assistance

Free parking

Job summary

The National Trust is seeking a Countryside Manager to lead transformational nature projects across Felbrigg Hall, Oxburgh Estate and Peckover House & Gardens. You’ll manage a team of Rangers, secure funding, and drive nature restoration while expanding access and partnerships.

Based in Norwich, you will work across sites with regional teams to deliver ambitious plans and provide exceptional visitor experiences, travel between locations, and support the new strategy “People and Places Thriving.”

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in nature conservation and land management.
• Proven ability to manage projects and budgets.
• Experience leading diverse teams and managing change.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day site management and strategic access improvements.
• Build collaborative relationships with farm tenants, statuary bodies and NGOs.
• Travel across the Property Group to deliver national ambitions.
• Oversee the Wilder Felbrigg project and nature engagement with visitors.

Skills

Nature conservation

Project management

Budget management

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Communication

Change management

Job description

Summary

We’re looking for a dynamic forward-thinking Countryside Manager to lead transformational changes for nature across the newly formed Property Group, which comprises Felbrigg Hall, Oxburgh Estate, and Peckover House & Gardens. It’s an exciting time at the National Trust as we embark on our new strategy, “People and Places Thriving” with its focus on restoring nature, ending unequal access and inspiring millions. This property group has a priority focus on nature restoration and will be important in helping the organisation to create 250,000 hectares of nature-rich habitats within and beyond the National Trust landholdings by 2035. With your extensive knowledge of countryside management, habitat restoration and partnership work you’ll lead a team of Rangers, and work with our specialist internal delivery teams to develop and deliver real uplift for nature. Alongside delivering high quality outdoor experiences you'll use your first‑class networking skills to seek out and establish opportunities for partnership working, to develop and deliver ambitious nature growth plans, at and beyond our places. Salary: £36,621 - £48,867 depending on knowledge, skills and experience. Interviews: 5 October 2026.

What It's Like To Work Here

Working with the portfolio General Manager as part of the portfolio senior leadership team, you’ll be part of an ambitious, collaborative and creative team that’s focused on making a difference to the communities we serve. Felbrigg and Oxburgh are historic estates with gardens and parklands, where you’ll lead partnership work to enhance their nature value. Peckover’s wider estate sits with the town of Wisbech and is widely used by the community and recreational tenants.

What You'll Be Doing

You’ll lead your teams in the day-to-day management of sites alongside strategic thinking to improving access opportunities and deliver nature conservation projects. You’ll seek out and build effective and collaborative working relationships with stakeholders and partners; such as farm tenants, statuary bodies and other NGOs to deliver more on and off NT land. You will be working alongside regional and national nature delivery colleagues to develop the most ambitious and deliverable plan locally to progress national ambitions. Including delivery of the “Wilder Felbrigg” project an ambitious plan to create new habitats across the estate. You’ll lead for delivering exceptional service and a program of nature engagement with our visitors outdoors. You’ll lead a team of 7 Rangers, with direct line management of 2 lead Ranger, and team of volunteers. You’ll help secure funding from a mix of public and private sources to support high-quality nature outcomes. This role is portfolio wide and will require travel across the Property Group. A vehicle is available for travel between sites. Some duty management, weekend and bank holiday working are required.

Who We’re Looking For

We'd love to hear from you if you’re:

• highly experienced in nature conservation, and the managing of common land, public land and changes of land use
• skilled in managing projects and budgets
• confident in leading a diverse team
• able to show examples of where you’ve successfully managed change
• adept at negotiating, influencing and communicating
• resilient and experienced in working effectively with partners
• good at involving all kinds of people, sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm, and giving great service
• keen to make a difference, show initiative and work towards a sustainable future.

The package

The National Trust has the motto ‘For everyone, for ever’ at its heart. We’re working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It’s important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we’re for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme (for roles that meet the salary criteria)
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places

National Trust place

Felbrigg Hall, Felbrigg, Norwich, NR11 8PR

Documents

Countryside Manager - Grade 6.pdf

Requirements

Compliance.Eligibility to Work in the UK

Closing Date: 27 September 2026

Equal Opportunities Statement

The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here.

Safeguarding Statement

The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.