Estate Manager: An Adventure in Landscape-Scale Restoration

Oxygen Conservation; Scotland; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading conservation organization as an Estate Manager in the Scottish Highlands. You will manage land and promote sustainable practices while engaging with local communities. This role offers a unique opportunity to reshape traditional land management for environmental impact.

Qualifications

• Experience in estate management and sustainable agriculture.
• Ability to lead conservation projects and community engagement.

Responsibilities

• Oversee land management, woodland creation, and sustainable agriculture.
• Manage estate properties and tenant relationships.
• Lead landscape-scale restoration and ecotourism experiences.

Skills

Leadership

Sustainable Practices

Community Engagement

Job description

Job description

Imagine being at the helm of a revolutionary role amidst the vast, breath-taking landscapes of Scotland, where you’re not only managing the land – you're reshaping it to create positive environmental and social impact for generations to come. We’re looking for a passionate environmentalist to join us on a game-changing adventure in landscape-scale restoration. This is your chance to create thriving wildlife habitats and lead the charge in revitalising extraordinary landscapes at SCALE. If you're fuelled by passion, hungry for a challenge, and ready to rewrite the rulebook of estate management, then we want you on our team! Join us and be part of an adventure like no other.

Job requirements

ABOUT THE ROLE

Ready to show the world how modern conservation can be delivered? As Estate Manager, you will play a pivotal role in reshaping traditional land management into a strategic opportunity for sustainable practices and environmental conservation. All in a jaw-dropping location!

Nestled against the spectacular mountainous backdrop of the Cairngorms National Park, Dorback Estate boasts a magnificent landscape that sweeps you into the endless expanse of the Scottish Highlands, all while being easily accessible. Spanning over 15,000 acres, the Estate features vast moorland areas interspersed with pockets of forestry, gradually rising to the plateau of the Cairngorms massif. Inhabiting the Estate is a diverse array of wildlife and a remarkable variety of natural assets. Once a traditional sporting Estate, it also now offers several high-quality holiday cottages, providing excellent opportunities for sustainable tourism.

Our vision at Dorback Estate is bold and exciting! We’re transforming the landscape by undertaking a significant programme of natural capital creation and enhancement. From native broadleaf woodland creation to restoring peatlands, our efforts will not only generate new, improved habitats for wildlife, but help also capture carbon from the atmosphere, playing a key role in the fight against climate change. Under your leadership, the estate will also transition to unique conservation-led sporting activities, including exceptional deer stalking. You will oversee the change to regenerative farming methods, including organic conversion. As the scale and ambition of our work continues to grow, so does the opportunity for this role to evolve.

You will be the key interface between the central Oxygen Conservation team and key local suppliers, tenants, and wider local community. You will also support the refurbishment of the farmhouse for the local community and identify opportunities to support local businesses. No day will be the same, but every single day will be an adventure waiting to unfold!

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Estate Management: Provide leadership across all elements of work on site, including land management, woodland creation, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and other innovative projects.

• Property: Manage estate properties, utilities, and tenant relationships, overseeing maintenance and renovations aligned with sustainability goals.

• Ecotourism: Deliver outstanding ecotourism experiences by managing bookings, facilities, and guest engagement. Design nature-based getaway packages, ensuring seamless guest experiences and continuous improvement.

• Conservation: Lead landscape-scale restoration tailored to Dorback’s unique challenges and opportunities.

• Health & Safety: Ensure health and safety management in rural environments, including COSHH compliance, emergency planning, CDM documentation, lone working, and estate security.

• Project Management: Manage small and medium-sized projects, budgets, grant applications, and contractors.

• Community Engagement: Build meaningful partnerships with local communities, neighbors, and contractors to preserve and enhance the environment.

• Global Impact: Contribute to saving parts of the world for future generations and set an example in environmental management.

ABOUT US

Oxygen Conservation, founded in 2021, aims to scale conservation efforts by acquiring land at scale to deliver environmental and social impact. We have completed numerous transactions, managing over 43,000 acres dedicated to nature restoration and protection.

Our vision is ambitious: by 2030, we aim to manage £1 billion of natural capital assets, restoring 250,000 acres for people and wildlife. We are recognized for our impact and innovation in conservation.

Join us as we scale impact, create opportunities, and lead the transition to a sustainable, nature-based economy.

KEY INFORMATION

Term: Full time, permanent

Location: Nethy Bridge, Scottish Highlands. You will need to live close to the estate.

Closing date: Monday 26th May