Deputy CEO, Habitats & Heritage

HABITATS & HERITAGE; Twickenham; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local charity for environmental sustainability is seeking a Deputy CEO in Twickenham. The role involves managing staff, developing and managing projects, and fundraising. Ideal candidates will have experience in horticulture and sustainability, along with strong interpersonal and project management skills. This position offers a chance to lead community-focused environmental initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience of project management and site management including budgeting.
• Experience of managing staff including appraisals and recruitment.
• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Line management of nature conservation and community staff.
• Oversee development of a horticultural site.
• Prepare grant applications to secure funding.

Skills

Management and team-working skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Ability to work independently

Passion for the environment

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

Tools

IT and social media literacy

Job description

Purpose of Job

The local charity, Habitats & Heritage, is seeking a deputy CEO. The post holder will have responsibility for line managing the nature conservation and community team and will help manage and fundraise for a new site that we have secured. The successful applicant may have expertise in some of the following areas: horticulture, water attenuation, climate & sustainability. We are open to adapting the role for the right candidate.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Line management of nature conservation, community and sustainability staff.
• Overseeing the development and management of a horticultural site.
• Lead the development of a pipeline of environmental and horticultural projects.
• Preparing grant applications to secure funding for projects in line with our charitable objectives.
• Project management of activities related to horticulture/ community/ sustainability.
• Work with the CEO to deliver the business plan and generate income to secure the future viability of the charity and delivery of its objectives.
• Reporting to funders and the board/ sub-committees as delegated by the CEO.
• Represent the organisation to build relationships with key funders, partners, grass roots organisations, local authorities.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the post as requested by the charity and to work in accordance with current health and safety and safeguarding requirements
• Deputise for the CEO as and when required.

Deputy CEO - Person Specification

We recognise that the necessary skills and qualities could have been acquired in many different contexts, and we are open to candidates from the widest possible range of backgrounds. Experience of horticulture and/or sustainability & climate would be helpful, but other professional experiences will be considered.

The ideal candidate will be able to fulfil the following criteria:

Interpersonal skills:

• Excellent management and team-working skills and ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds and levels of knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills including ability to adapt communication styles to a variety of circumstances and audiences.
• Ability to work independently, be highly self-motivated and able to motivate others
• Ability to demonstrate a passion for the environment and community work.

Training & experience:

• A degree, or equivalent, in a relevant discipline
• Experience of project management and site management, including budgeting and financial management
• Experience of managing staff including appraisals, recruitment and line management.
• Experience of working with a wide range of stakeholders (Funders/Trustees/Councils etc)
• Experience of fundraising, including preparing grant applications and running fundraising events

Knowledge & skills:

• Ability to manage work programmes to budget/agreed deliverables and timescales
• IT and social media literate – web design an advantage.
• Good knowledge of safeguarding (current legislation and good practice)
• Good knowledge of health and safety (current legislation and good practice)

Other requirements

The role will require some lone working and outside working, and some home working, in addition to working on site at our office in Twickenham. The role will include supporting the wider team with activities that promote the mission of Habitats & Heritage, this includes using social media and supporting other team members where appropriate. Applicants must be willing to work regular weekends and occasional evenings.

Application process

Please submit your CV and a personal statement (one side of A4) to the CEO, Paul Jennings by an email via the button belowusing the Heading: Application for Deputy CEO at H&H.

Applications will be assessed against the following key criteria:

1. Ability to lead and manage projects and staff.
2. Proven success in designing projects and fundraising.
3. Evidence of working with a diverse range of partners and beneficiaries to deliver practical projects.

Application deadline: Wednesday 20^th August 2025, 9am.

Interviews: Thursday 11^th / Friday 12^th September 2025 (in person, Twickenham).

Start Date: November 2025.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Paul Jennings by an email.

The Charity – Habitats & Heritage

Habitats & Heritage is the local charity that acts for the natural and historic environment and climate in south and west London. We take care of our local landscape; its wildlife, ecosystems, heritage as well as fostering sustainable behaviours by:

• Using our local knowledge and experience to lead the way in protecting and creating a better and more sustainable environment for everyone.
• Working in partnership with others to raise awareness and address local environmental and heritage issues.
• Bringing people together to better understand, learn and connect with and enjoy their local environment and heritage.
• Empowering and mobilising communities to enhance and maintain the spaces they care about.
• Building better quality habitats and ecosystems for nature and wildlife to thrive.
• Encouraging accessibility and involvement to ensure everyone enjoys and experiences the positive health and wellbeing benefits from spending time in our natural and historic environment.

We are based in Twickenham and work across the London Boroughs of: Richmond; Hounslow; Kingston; Wandsworth; and Merton. We are about to move to a new site which includes a large greenhouse, space for wildlife gardening and wider community use.