Plant Health Operations Team Manager

www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk - Jobboard; Exeter; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental forestry agency is looking for a leader to oversee the Plant Health Operations Team, ensuring effective responses to plant health threats. The ideal candidate will manage a team of 34 professionals and contribute to strategic development, tackling biosecurity challenges across the UK. Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills are essential. This role is vital for protecting woodlands and managing risks from pests and diseases.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable leadership skills with experience in managing teams and resources.
• Ability to develop effective partnerships and influence stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of biosecurity and plant health issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of around 34 professionals.
• Oversee monitoring and control programmes for priority pests and diseases.
• Support strategic development and innovation in the team.

Job description

About Forest Services and the Plant Health Forestry Team

Forest Services are the Government’s forestry experts. We support the forestry sector and landowners to protect, improve, and expand England’s woodlands through regulation, incentives, and expert advice.

Within Forest Services, the Plant Health Forestry (PHF) Team delivers technical policy advice, operational activities (border and inland), and the Forest Reproductive Materials (FRM) programme. Our work ensures that the UK’s treescape is protected from pests and diseases, and that we are prepared to respond to emerging threats.

The PHF Team operates with both England and GB-wide responsibilities:

• England: Inland surveillance, outbreak management, biosecurity promotion, and regulatory implementation, working with Defra and the Devolved Administrations as part of the UK Plant Health Service.
• GB-wide: Statutory functions (including border inspections) and technical advice and support on plant health.

About the Role

You will lead the strategic, tactical, and financial deployment of the Plant Health Operations Team with passion, support, and commitment to ensure an effective response to plant health threats. You will champion the work of a team of around 34 dedicated professionals, including plant health officers/ inspectors and specialists.

Your leadership will ensure that risks from pests and diseases are effectively managed and that our woodlands are protected in line with the Tree Health Resilience Strategy, the GB Plant Biosecurity Strategy, and cross-border functions. You will provide clear direction, manage change, and ensure the team’s expertise is fully utilised—particularly during outbreaks and incidents.

You will also contribute to senior leadership across the Forestry Commission and collaborate with the UK Plant Health Service, including Defra, APHA, and the Devolved Administrations.

Key Responsibilities

1. People, Partnerships, and Resource Management

• Lead and manage a team of ~34 staff, including direct line management of ~2 members of staff.
• Manage and develop individual and team performance and business capabilities.
• Provide clear direction and foster a culture of continuous improvement and wellbeing.
• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety & Wellbeing procedures.
• Build strong relationships across the Forestry Commission, Defra, Devolved Administrations, and external stakeholders.
• Manage budgets and contribute to business planning and reporting, including reviewing priorities in response to changing issues.

2. Operational Delivery

• Oversee monitoring and control programmes for priority pests and diseases (e.g. Ips typographus, oak processionary moth).
• Ensure delivery of statutory functions, including Statutory Plant Health Notices, movement authorisation processes, and demarcated area requirements.
• Lead or support outbreak responses; act as Deputy Incident Controller when required.
• Work with policy colleagues to support effective development and implementation of new policy and legislation.
• Collaborate on cross-border plant health functions and regulatory implementation.
• Support internal and external communications, this may include handling media activity in close association with FC and Defra communications teams.

3. Strategic Development

• Support the strategic development of the operational team, including effective change management. Leading development and innovation in the team to facilitate effective delivery. This may include system and process improvement, including digital transformation.
• Support implementation of the Plant Biosecurity and Tree Health Resilience strategies.
• Work closely with other teams in FS and wider FC to support and facilitate the delivery of PH strategic priorities, including identification of opportunities for collaboration.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key stakeholders. Maintain a strong collaborative relationship with the UK Plant Health Service, working in partnership with Defra, Devolved Administrations and APHA, by providing and demonstrating a strong and corporate senior leadership contribution.