Head of Conservation

City of London Corporation; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental organization in the UK is seeking a Head of Conservation to oversee the management of iconic urban green spaces in London. This senior leadership role focuses on nature conservation, leading a diverse team dedicated to maintaining and enhancing Hampstead Heath and Highgate Wood. The successful candidate will have rich experience managing public spaces and compliance with conservation legislation. This position offers a competitive salary and the chance to shape the future of revered landscapes.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Opportunity to join a prestigious organization

Supportive and collaborative team environment

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in managing complex public open spaces.
• Comprehensive experience developing biodiversity and land management programmes.
• Significant knowledge of biodiversity and wildlife management.
• Strong experience managing a diverse team of professionals.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for nature conservation.
• Oversee day-to-day management of Highgate Wood and Hampstead Heath.
• Lead and motivate a team of 25-30 professionals.
• Ensure compliance with legislation related to biodiversity conservation.

Skills

Managing complex public open spaces

Biodiversity and land management

Conservation management

Team leadership

Compliance with environmental legislation

Problem solving

Data analysis

Job description

This is a rare opportunity to take a senior leadership role at North London Open Spaces, and directly contribute to and make a meaningful impact in the conservation and protection of these cherished green spaces. As a member of the senior management team, the successful candidate will serve as the primary subject matter expert at NLOS for nature conservation, conceiving and leading on initiatives, advising colleagues, and working collaboratively both internally and externally. They will have responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day management of most of Hampstead Heath and all of Highgate Wood, and will also oversee a number of services that function across and support the four open spaces (eg, arboriculture and tree management, waste and recycling, conservation, and ecology). For the better performance of their duties, the Head of Conservation will be required to reside in accommodation that is provided on site and will be scheduled onto an on-call and duty manager rota with other colleagues.

• Serve as the primary subject matter expert for nature conservation at Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood, Queen's Park, and West Ham Park
• Oversee the day-to-day management of Highgate Wood and most of Hampstead Heath
• Oversee arboriculture / tree management, waste management, conservation, habitat creation/restoration and management, wildlife management, water body management, and climate change adaptation across North London Open Spaces
• Lead and motivate a team of 25-30 multi-skilled professionals committed to the conservation of these four sites
• Ensure compliance with all applicable legislation, including environmental protection, climate change, nature recovery, wildlife protection, flood risk management, and health and safety

The successful candidate will bring:

• Demonstrable experience in managing complex public open spaces
• Comprehensive experience developing and delivering biodiversity and land management programmes and projects in a range of habitats, ideally within an urban setting
• Significant experience managing complex conservation work and projects across varied landscapes
• Significant knowledge of biodiversity and wildlife management, including land and water management
• Strong experience managing a diverse team of professionals in an operational environment
• Experience of implementing legislation and policy relevant to biodiversity conservation, planning guidance, and site designation for wildlife conservation and species status designations
• A highly creative, entrepreneurial and 'can do' approach to problem solving, with the ability to remain resilient in the face of challenges

Strong quantitative skills and comfort interrogating and analysing data and budgets

The City of London Corporation manages 11,000 acres of land in and around London, welcoming millions of visitors annually. The North London Open Spaces (NLOS) section oversees c. 1,000 acres of that portfolio and includes some of the UK's most iconic urban greenspaces, including:

• Hampstead Heath (including Golders Hill Park, Parliament Hill Fields, and Heath Extension)
• Highgate Wood
• Queen's Park
• West Ham Park

These beloved green spaces boast spectacular landscapes and vistas, ancient woodland, diverse wildlife, world class sporting and athletics facilities, and heritage assets. We work closely with local communities and stakeholders to preserve and enhance these natural assets, helping to make London one of the most liveable large cities in the world.

Benefits and Opportunities

• Opportunity to join a prestigious organisation that protects some of London's most treasured landscapes
• Lead through a high-impact role with the opportunity to shape the future of these iconic spaces
• Work within a supportive and collaborative team that is committed to conservation and community engagement
• Work across multiple iconic sites
• Competitive salary and benefits package