Forestry Manager (Compensatory Planting)

SSEN Transmission; Inverness; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Benefits package

Wellbeing support

Job summary

SSEN Transmission, part of SSE, seeks a Forestry Manager (Compensatory Planting) to lead planting across Scotland’s transmission projects. You will help ensure woodland commitments are met safely, on time and within budget.

You will work with project teams and external stakeholders, identifying planting opportunities, managing risks, and providing forestry input from early design through delivery and aftercare.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge and experience of forestry management, woodland creation and planting scheme design and delivery.
• Good understanding of the UK Forestry Standard and related practices.
• Experience supporting environmental and consent processes linked to forestry work.
• Experience working with landowners, contractors and authorities to take planting schemes from design through delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design and delivery of compensatory planting and forestry activity across a portfolio of transmission projects.
• Develop planting proposals and agreements, woodland management plans and forestry project activity within budget and schedule.
• Identify planting opportunities and manage forestry-related risks (land, approvals, establishment).
• Provide forestry input across the project lifecycle from site assessment to delivery and aftercare.
• Build relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Skills

Forestry management

Woodland creation

Project delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Education

HND/degree in forestry or related discipline

Tools

Forestry measurement protocols

Job description

Base Location: For this role, we require successful applicants to be based from one of our Scottish locations – Inverness, Aberdeen or Perth. Salary: £64,085 - £76,581 + car/car allowance + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family. Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available

The role

SSEN Transmission is delivering a major programme of investment to upgrade the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. Our projects include new overhead lines, substations, subsea links and associated infrastructure that will help connect renewable energy and support a secure, cleaner energy system. We are looking for a Forestry Manager (Compensatory Planting) to support the planning, design and delivery of compensatory planting and wider forestry activity across a varied portfolio of transmission projects. Working from early development through to project delivery, you will help make sure woodland impacts are addressed responsibly and planting commitments are delivered safely, in line with programme, budget and environmental requirements. This role offers the opportunity to bring forestry and woodland creation expertise into some of Scotland’s most significant infrastructure projects. You will work with project teams and external stakeholders to develop practical planting solutions across your transmission network area, covering the Local Authority areas of North Scotland.

You will

• Lead the planning, design and delivery of compensatory planting and forestry activity across a portfolio of transmission projects, helping projects meet their woodland commitments safely and responsibly.
• Develop and coordinate planting proposals and agreements, woodland management plans and forestry project activity for large capital projects, customer connections and strategic wider works, supporting delivery on time and within budget.
• Identify suitable planting opportunities and manage forestry-related risks, including land availability, approvals, programme, establishment and long-term woodland management.
• Provide forestry input across the project lifecycle, from assessing woodland impacts and early site identification through scheme design, consent, delivery and aftercare.
• Build positive working relationships with internal teams and external stakeholders, including landowners, tenants, agents, forestry contractors, Scottish Forestry and other relevant bodies.

You have

• Strong knowledge and experience of forestry management, woodland creation and planting scheme design and delivery, alongside forestry measurement protocols and the management of forestry operations.
• A good understanding of the UK Forestry Standard, best practice guidance, felling permission requirements, woodland management planning and compensatory planting requirements.
• Experience supporting environmental and consent processes linked to forestry work, such as Environmental Impact Assessment inputs, forest landscape design assessment and the development of planting proposals.
• Experience working with landowners, contractors and relevant authorities to take planting schemes from early design through delivery, establishment and ongoing management.
• A relevant HND, degree or equivalent experience in forestry, land management or a related discipline, alongside forestry management experience and an understanding of energy networks or the ability to develop this quickly.

About SSE

SSE’s purpose is to be restless every day until we make electricity clean, affordable and available for all. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. This includes electricity transmission and distribution networks, onshore and offshore wind farms, hydro-electric power and flexible thermal generation. We also provide products and services for businesses and other customers. Our investment plan will see SSE invest £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure to 2030. SSEN Transmission own and operate the electricity transmission network across the north of Scotland. We transport electricity from where it is generated to where it is needed, ensuring a safe and reliable electricity supply for the communities we serve. But that's not all – we're upgrading the grid to deliver cleaner, homegrown power for the future and building the infrastructure needed for a cleaner electricity system to create secure power for generations to come.

Flexible Benefits To Fit Your Life

• Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships.
• Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service.
• Interest‑free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme.
• As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.

Work with an equal opportunity employer

SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact Stephanie at [e-mail] / 01738 342963 to discuss how we can support you. We're dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.