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Web Recruit Ltd; Newtownards; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free entry to wetland centres

Contributory pension

Life Assurance

Job summary

WWT Castle Espie is seeking an outstanding Site Manager to lead the reserve on Strangford Lough. You will oversee staff and volunteers, deliver conservation, financial and visitor objectives, and maximise wildlife and habitat potential across the 26-hectare site.

The role requires leading a team, reviewing budgets and performance, engaging with visitors and partners, and maintaining high standards of site management. Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, five days from seven.

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent level of education.
• Experience managing significant areas of land to achieve conservation objectives.
• Experience developing and implementing conservation management plans and work programmes.
• Proven general management experience, ideally within a visitor centre, nature reserve or attraction.
• Proven experience of managing significant budgets across multiple departments.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including recruitment, development, motivation and performance management.
• Ability to balance conservation, commercial, visitor and operational priorities.
• Willingness to obtain spraying, brush-cutting and tractor qualifications within the first three months after appointment.

Responsibilities

• Lead Castle Espie with staff and volunteers to deliver conservation, financial and visitor objectives.
• Maximise wildlife and habitat potential across the reserve and Strangford Lough areas under WWT care.
• Oversee budgets, performance, and development across departments.
• Maintain strong relationships with visitors, communities, partners and statutory organisations.
• Ensure high standards of site management and safety across all operations.

Skills

Leadership

People-management

Communication

Budgeting

Team development

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree or equivalent level of education

Tools

Spraying qualifications

Brush-cutting qualifications

Tractor operation qualifications

Job description

We are looking for an outstanding Site Manager to lead the next chapter for WWT Castle Espie, our incredible wetland reserve on the shores of Strangford Lough.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a site where conservation, people and place come together. Castle Espie encompasses 26 hectares of diverse wetland and coastal habitats, and WWT also manages around 400 hectares of foreshore on Strangford Lough on behalf of the Crown Estate. The Lough supports internationally important numbers of Light-bellied Brent geese as well as many other important species.

As Site Manager, you will have overall responsibility for Castle Espie, leading its team of staff and volunteers and delivering against our conservation, financial and visitor objectives. You will take an active and practical lead in maximising the wildlife and habitat potential of both the reserve and the areas of Strangford Lough in WWT’s care.

It is a role for someone who is equally comfortable out on the reserve discussing habitat management, leading and developing a team, reviewing budgets and performance or making sure visitors receive a warm welcome and leave with a stronger connection to wetlands.

Castle Espie is entering an important new chapter, with a refreshed focus on its role as a hub for wetland nature conservation on Strangford Lough. You will have the opportunity to help bring that proposition to life, strengthening the connection between the site, the Lough and the extraordinary wildlife that benefit from it.

This is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week, five days out of seven.

You will have:

• A degree or equivalent level of education.
• Demonstrable experience of managing significant areas of land to achieve conservation objectives
• Experience of developing and implementing conservation management plans and associated work programmes
• Proven general management experience, ideally within a visitor centre, nature reserve or attraction.
• Proven experience of managing significant budgets across multiple departments.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including recruitment, development, motivation and performance management.
• The ability to balance conservation, commercial, visitor and operational priorities.
• Confidence communicating and developing relationships with visitors, communities, partners and statutory organisations.
• Relevant practical qualifications in spraying, brush-cutting and tractor operation, or the willingness to obtain these qualifications in the first three months after appointment.

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 groundbreaking 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.

Registered Charity Number England & Wales, no. 1030884 and Scotland, no. SC039410