Head of Land Management

Government Recruitment Service; Lyndhurst; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the UK seeks a Head of Land Management to guide sustainable forestry initiatives. The role involves setting strategic direction, managing resources, and fostering collaboration among teams. Candidates should have extensive experience in land management, a track record in budget management, and leadership skills. This is a crucial position overseeing vital national forest resources, ensuring compliance and promoting public access and recreation in forests. If you are passionate about shaping the future of forestry, we encourage you to apply.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in land management and forestry programmes.
• Strong leadership skills, fostering collaboration across teams.
• A proven track record in managing budgets and resources.

Responsibilities

• Guide teams in delivering sustainable forestry programmes.
• Set strategic direction and manage resources effectively.
• Engage with stakeholders to promote land management objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Stakeholder Engagement

Resource Management

Health & Safety Compliance

Job description

What you’ll do…

We are seeking a Head of Land Management to guide our teams in delivering complex, sustainable forestry programmes. You’ll set strategic direction, manage resources, and inspire collaboration across teams.

This role combines leadership with innovation—driving climate resilience, biodiversity, and timber production while maintaining high standards of health & safety and compliance. You’ll oversee budgets, planning, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring our forests thrive for generations to come.

If you’re an experienced leader with expertise in land management and a passion for shaping the future of the nation’s forests, we’d love to hear from you.

Please see the job description below for more information and details about what we need from you.

Where you’ll work…

We are Forestry England. We are the country’s largest land manager, caring for the nation’s forests for people, nature and the economy. The foundation of our organisation is our world‑class sustainable management of the nation’s forests.

Our South England Forest District team is made up of around 170 people with a diverse range of roles - from foresters and wildlife rangers to civil engineers, and ecologists to marketing professionals. We all contribute towards the management of 46,000 hectares of public forest estate that stretch from Sussex to Dorset, and from Berkshire to the Isle of Wight. Nearly all of our forests are within either a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Much of this forest is of high national importance for nature conservation and wildlife, and of international importance for biodiversity. South England Forest District is therefore responsible for land that includes Special Areas of Conservation (for habitats), Special Protection Areas (for birds) and Ramsar sites (for wetlands). We also provide public access and recreation in our forests, with nearly 50 million visits every year to South England Forest District.

If the post you are applying for is PB5 or above, you will be asked to join the District duty roster, after a suitable period of time.

Leadership Responsibility

• Provide a clear sense of direction and accountability for the Land Management team: lead and inspire the team to work in synergy to deliver excellent results aligned with the District Strategy and wider organisational objectives
• Lead the team to deliver significant and complex forestry programmes, collaborating and innovating with others in order to embed shared delivery of goals and Key Performance Indicators in demanding and busy environments
• Promote a positive and inclusive culture in the Land Management team and actively foster cross‑functional collaboration and support
• Ensure compliance with organisational guidance and procedures and communicate the importance of working safely, to manage risk across operations for staff, contractors, and customers.
• Embed a culture of continuous improvement, promoting learning and development opportunities amongst the team as well as wider network of partners, contractors, and volunteers

Strategic Responsibility

• Constantly develop the strategic direction for Land Management for the district, ensuring that it is consistent with emerging national priorities, with specific reference to the future availability of timber volume, species diversification and resilience to forest pests and diseases
• Communicate our strategy and the value of our work to colleagues, customers, and other stakeholders
• Implementation of the agreed plans is through the wider team of 12 beat foresters, supported by the area ecologists, area civil engineers and operations managers

Management of Resources

• Lead district team, efficiently manage resources to enable effective delivery of the district delivery plan and BAU operations
• Own, review and regularly update the FLM Business plan and investment pipeline, accurately construct, monitor, reforecast and report on budgets throughout the year, based on LTC plans and the district marketing plan

Stakeholder Engagement, Representation and Communications

• Maintain professional and productive relationships with stakeholders across the full range of land management interests
• Engage proactively and respond constructively to existing and prospective customers. Ensure our marketing approach generates the best possible outcome for sales of timber, venison, and other products
• Stimulate a climate of competition for our products and present the highest standards of professionalism when representing Forestry England in the marketplace