Lead Ranger

National Trust; East Devon, Exeter; On-site; GBP 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A forward-thinking organization seeks a dynamic Lead Ranger to join their team at an estate rich in biodiversity. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead projects focused on nature restoration and community engagement. You will mentor a dedicated team, manage complex projects, and ensure the estate thrives as a nature-rich environment. With ambitious goals like planting one million trees by 2030, your leadership will play a crucial role in connecting people with nature and enhancing biodiversity. Join this innovative team and make a lasting impact on the environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in mentoring and fostering continuous development.
• Background in habitat and visitor management with land-management knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to deliver nature-focused projects and restoration targets.
• Oversee conservation work and enhance visitor access to nature.

Skills

Leadership experience

Habitat management

Project management

Communication skills

Budget management

Job description

Location: Killerton, Broadclyst, Exeter, EX5 3LE

Contract Type: Fixed-term / Full-time

Reference/IRC: IRC162942

Closing Date: 11th May 2025

Salary: £34,437 pa

We’re looking for a dynamic and experienced Lead Ranger to join the National Trust team at Killerton, an estate steeped in history and rich in biodiversity. It’s a place where we’re taking bold steps to deliver landscape-scale restoration, an ambitious vision for nature and people. This is a great opportunity for someone with a balance of leadership, practical and partnership skills.

What it's like to work here

Killerton welcomes over 430,000 visitors annually, across one of the National Trust’s largest and most diverse estates. It encompasses ancient woodlands, three rivers, orchards and farmland. Since 2021, we have created 200 hectares of new priority habitat, planted over 250,000 trees, created 6 new orchards and planted 15km of hedgerows. We have multiple projects in the pipeline, from our ambitious Community Forest project to a groundbreaking Landscape Recovery scheme.

What you'll be doing

As Lead Ranger, you’ll be working alongside the Countryside Manager, Nature Engagement Officer, and leading a team of Area Rangers, Rangers and volunteers, as they deliver more for nature and people.

Reporting to the Countryside Manager, you’ll be shaping the delivery of complex nature-focused projects. You’ll be responsible for achieving restoration targets on our in-hand land, overseeing conservation work of priority habitats and enhancing our visitor access network.

You'll have delegated responsibility for budgets, both operational and project-based, protecting and enhancing the Trust’s assets and reputation in all you do.

You’ll support our nature engagement work to ensure we reduce unequal access to nature and that diverse audiences can benefit from time spent outdoors.

You’ll mentor, inspire and challenge your team to deliver rapid impact for nature.

Killerton continues to reverse nature’s decline, is connecting more people to the great outdoors, and is becoming more climate resilient. You will be leading the way, supporting our goal of planting one million trees by 2030, ensuring that 50% of the estate becomes nature-rich and that our three rivers run clean.

Who we're looking for

• Leadership experience of mentoring, and fostering a culture of continuous development
• Significant background in habitat, heritage and visitor management, with knowledge of modern practices and land-management funding streams
• Strategic thinking and project-management skills, able to implement complex projects
• Deep commitment to climate adaptation and biodiversity renewal
• Adept communicator, able to collaborate with tenants, communities and partners
• Familiar with managing operational countryside risk
• Confident in handling budgets, finances and contracts

Apply: IRC162942 - Lead Ranger