Countryside Manager - National Trust

Countryside Classroom; Saltash; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

National Trust is seeking a Countryside Manager to lead ranger teams at Cotehele and Buckland Abbey, driving the land and nature strategy across these properties. You will manage staff and volunteers, coordinate nature projects and work with partners to restore habitats across landscapes.

You’ll join a leadership team, develop long-term plans, and help ensure excellent visitor experiences while covering some weekends and duty shifts. A vehicle may be required for travel between sites.

Qualifications

• Experience directing nature conservation projects and managing common/public land.
• Proven ability to lead large teams and manage budgets effectively.
• Demonstrated negotiation, communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a team of staff and volunteers across sites.
• Lead strategic work, implement landscape-wide conservation plans.
• Build relationships with partners, tenants and colleagues.
• Coordinate access improvements and public engagement across properties.
• Participate in duty management and weekend/holiday coverage.

Skills

Nature conservation

Land management

Budget management

Team leadership

Change management

Negotiation

Communication

Partner collaboration

Community engagement

Job description

Salary: £40,576 per annum

Location: Cotehele, Saltash, PL12 6TA

Contract: 37.5 hours per week, permanent

Closing date: 25 October 2026

Summary

We’re looking for a Countryside Manager to work across and lead the National Trust’s local ranger teams based at Cotehele and Buckland Abbey and our land and nature strategy across the properties of Cotehele, Buckland Abbey and Antony.

What it's like to work here

These beautiful properties, two of which are situated in the Tamar Valley National Landscape, with Dartmoor National Park and many unspoilt beaches nearby. The properties are brimming with character, and each has a special atmosphere and wonderful sense of place. The teams across the three properties pride themselves on providing superb customer service, and the family atmosphere in these teams makes them a very special place to work. Due to the three properties locations, it’s likely you will need your own transport to get there.

What you'll be doing

Day-to-day, you’ll be managing and developing your team of staff and volunteers. You will also be leading on strategic work, improving access, running nature conservation projects, building great working relationships with partners, tenants and colleagues, and helping to make everyone feel welcome in the countryside, whatever their background or knowledge.

As a member of our leadership team, you'll work alongside other departments and teams to develop landscape-wide strategies and long-term planning for this area.

You’ll also be working with partner organisations and local communities to restore nature on a landscape scale. You'll have the satisfaction of helping to look after complex habitats, including riversides, woodland, veteran trees and old parkland.

You’ll be expected to work some weekends and bank holidays and be a part of the Duty Management rota.

Who we're looking for

• 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.