Operations Manager

Forestry England; Santon Downham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension contributions

25 days holiday

STaR discounts

Free parking

National Arboretums entry

Career development

Job summary

Forestry England in Thetford is seeking an Operations Manager for High Lodge to lead the delivery and development of recreation operations across the site and surrounding areas. The role focuses on day-to-day operational excellence, safety leadership and budget management to ensure outstanding visitor experiences.

As part of Forestry England, you will work with a committed team to drive sustainable practices, manage assets, and foster an inclusive culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery, management and development of recreation operations across High Lodge.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, facilities and asset management.
• Provide health and safety leadership and contract oversight.

Job description

We live and breathe forests.

Job title – Operations Manager - High Lodge

Salary - £33,854 per annum

Hours – 37 hours per week

Vacancy closes - 6th September 2026, 23:58 Join us. We're foresters, professionals and experts. We are a passionate team who love to share our enthusiasm and want to make a positive difference for you and the environment.

We are Forestry England.

We live and breathe forests.

Job title – Operations Manager - High Lodge

Salary - £33,854 per annum

Contract type – Permanent

Hours – 37 hours per week

Vacancy closes - 6th September 2026, 23:58

Join us. We're foresters, professionals and experts. We are a passionate team who love to share our enthusiasm and want to make a positive difference for you and the environment.

Together, we’re using our scale and expertise to grow the nation’s forests for everyone. We’re already adapting our landscapes for tomorrow, and getting stuff done today, like creating amazing places and experiences for you to enjoy. We’re providing vital homes for wildlife, making our air cleaner to breathe and producing sustainable timber.

What You’ll Do…

High Lodge is one of Forestry England’s flagship outdoor recreation destinations, receiving over 500,000 visitors annually and offering high‑quality facilities, trails, heritage features, play areas, cycling, events, and commercial partnerships.

As the Recreation Operations Manager, you will lead the delivery, management and development of recreation operations across High Lodge and support recreation management across wider beat areas. The role is responsible for day‑to‑day operational excellence, facility and asset management, health and safety leadership, contract oversight, budget management, and developing a positive and inclusive “one‑team” culture.

You will play a central role in ensuring that High Lodge provides an outstanding visitor experience while contributing to the wider East District recreation strategy, commercial growth targets and Forestry England’s values of sustainability, safety, access and wellbeing.

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

Where you’ll work…

High Lodge Thetford Forest, Thetford Road, Brandon IP27 0AF

Occasional national travel with overnight stay may be required.

Benefits…

Alongside your salary, Forestry England contributes an average of 28.97% towards your pension. You will become a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

• 25 days holiday a year, raising by one day every year’s service, up to 30 days (pro-rated for part time employees) plus additional days off such as bank holidays.
• STaR is our employee benefits scheme offering discounts on everyday supermarket shopping, as well as other things such as hotel stays clothes, mobile phones, other electrical items, medical and car insurance, holidays, gym discounts, household bills, Headspace wellbeing app.
• free parking at Forestry England sites and free entry to our National Arboretums at Westonbirt and Bedgebury.
• a commitment to lifelong learning through career development. Forestry England will support your career development in a variety of ways, including continual professional development, support for individual learning plans and sponsored membership of professional bodies.

Read more about the benefits on the Forestry England website.

Nationality Requirements…

Read more about nationality requirements here.

Working for the Civil Service…

Forestry England is part of the Civil Service. The Civil Service has a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). This means candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria during the application process will be guaranteed an interview. We also offer a Redeployment Interview Scheme to current civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the role. This role is also part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans and Prison Leaver Recruitment initiative.

Within Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016, it is essential that applicants should have the ability to provide conversation in accurate spoken English.

Our recruitment process makes appointments based on fair and open competition and merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in in line with/according to these principles and you wish to make a complaint, please email: [e-mail].