Head of Operations - Wetland Reserves

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums); England; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A conservation organization is seeking a Head of Operations for Wetland Reserves to lead Site Managers, optimize wetland habitats, and drive income development. You will need senior operational experience in similar organizations that rely on external funding. The role offers the chance to inspire teams while supporting critical conservation work, with flexible work arrangements and generous annual leave. Join us in restoring wetland ecosystems and making a significant impact.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Free entry to wetland centres

Cycle to work scheme

Contributory pension scheme

Life Assurance

Qualifications

• Experience working in conservation or nature-based sectors dependent on external funding.
• Ability to manage diverse teams and inspire common goals.
• Strong leadership and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead Site Managers at multiple reserves and improve wetland habitats.
• Maximize opportunities for income development and funding.
• Support business planning and financial management across sites.

Skills

Senior level operational experience

Business planning

Financial analysis

Team leadership

Networking skills

Ability to manage complex demands

Job description

WWT Slimbridge (Centre)

South West, East Anglia, North West – Closing date for applications: 10th Feb 2026

Reporting to the Director of Operations, you will work alongside two Heads of Operations for our Wetland Discovery sites, to support our Wetland Reserves sites in achieving our ambitions. You will lead Site Managers at Caerlaverock, Steart and Welney, as well as potential future reserves, supporting them in improving the health and diversity of our wetland habitats whilst ensuring they maximise opportunities for income development and funding to assure financial stability for years to come.

This is a permanent contract, working full time, Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours a week. Part-time work will be considered.

For this role we can offer the opportunity for hybrid working. It is expected the role will need you to be present at each of your sites on a regular basis, at least once per month.

About You

You will be passionate about nature and conservation with a good understanding of the challenges and pressures faced by site operations which rely on funding through stewardship grants, donations and restricted funding.

To join as our Head of Operations Wetland Reserves you’ll bring:

• Senior level operational experience in a comparable organisation working directly with conservation or nature-based experiences where income streams are not driven by visitation but by external funding and/or donations.
• Evidence of strong skills in leading and supporting business planning, financial analysis, budget development and management, across multiple sites with varying income streams and asset portfolios.
• The ability to recruit, performance manage and motivate diverse multi-disciplinary teams.
• Demonstrable leadership skills, able to coach and mentor site leaders and their teams, communicating clarity of direction and inspiring teams to work towards common goals.
• Skills in networking and influencing internally and externally at a senior level, developing partnerships with like-minded organisations for the benefit of WWT and our charitable aims.
• Demonstrable ability to manage the complexity of demands posed by triple-bottom-line objectives across our conservation targets, visitor engagement and financial targets.

We reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a sufficient number of applications from candidates who meet the required skills and experience. We therefore encourage early applications.

About Us

We’re WWT,and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands.There’s never been a more important moment for our work,and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power.So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• Wake up every day knowing your work is helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by our team of passionate, dedicated people
• 33 days annual leave (which goes up to 38 days after 5 years of service) –this includes bank holidays and you have flexibility to take those days whenever you want
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Free car parking and secure bike storage areas
• Colleague discount on shopping and memberships
• Cycle to work scheme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Life Assurance of three times your salary, for peace of mind for your loved ones
• Independent personal, workplace and financial advice from our Employee Assistance Programme

WWT is an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered solely on merit.