Restore Nature Delivery Manager

National Trust; Ambleside; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation organization in Ambleside is seeking dynamic Restore Nature Delivery Managers to drive landscape-scale nature recovery initiatives in the Lake District. Responsibilities include managing complex projects, working with community stakeholders, and leading a diverse team toward ambitious nature recovery goals. The ideal candidates will demonstrate extensive experience in ecological management, strong leadership abilities, and a collaborative approach to conservation. This is an opportunity to significantly impact nature recovery efforts and engage with local communities.

Benefits

Substantial pension scheme up to 10%

Free entry to National Trust places

Rental deposit loan scheme

Season ticket loan

EV car lease scheme

Discounts for gym memberships and shopping

Holiday allowance of up to 32 days

Flexible working policy

Employee assistance programme

Free parking at Trust places

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in nature conservation and land management.
• Proven track record in leading large-scale change programmes.
• Exceptional ability in securing grants and managing budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational work of nature conservation initiatives.
• Work with external collaborators to restore nature at a landscape scale.
• Manage a complex programme of work to achieve nature recovery goals.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Ecological expertise

Project management

Negotiation

Education

Professional expertise in ecological or land management

Job description

Reporting to the General Manager, you will play a strategic role in the future of nature recovery in your portfolio and the wider Lake District and Cumbria. You'll lead your team to deliver the operational work of the portfolio while also contributing to the development and delivery of pioneering nature recovery initiatives. Working closely with members of the portfolio leadership team and the Restore Nature delivery team for Cumbria, you will manage a large and complex programme of work to deliver our strategy, with a focus on nature recovery and climate resilience. This includes integrating the management of in-hand land and tenant farms with the wider landscape around our places. You will be responsible for planning and the operational day‑to‑day delivery of our nature conservation work and lead on ambitious and transformational projects. This will involve leading change, driven by our ambition to see more natural process‑led recovery and new approaches being part of a Restore Nature portfolio. Our strategy introduces a level of ambition to restore nature that will require us to apply ourselves and work differently – including more externally – if we are to achieve our goal of creating 250,000 hectares of new habitat by 2035. Bringing people with us on this journey will be vital. Working closely alongside community, participation and volunteering, and visitor experience colleagues, and our tenant farmers will be key. You will work with a wide variety of external collaborators to help restore nature at a landscape scale and enable a broad range of visitors to have outstanding and inspirational experiences. You will work alongside key staff from other Restore Nature portfolios and professional advisors across the Trust to help shape and deliver our exciting nature strategy to 2035 and beyond. You will be able to multi‑task competing priorities during this complex period of change and delegate effectively. You'll be expected to work across all our portfolio bases, together with locations across Cumbria for partnership working. Some weekends, bank holidays and evening meetings may be required.

Applications from redeployees are assessed against the minimum criteria for the role. In your application, please provide details of how you meet the minimum criteria below:

• Professional expertise in ecological or land management
• Proven experience in leading large‑scale change programmes
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Collaborative working style
• Experience in securing grants and budget management

Additional criteria for all other applicants

• Highly experienced in nature conservation, common land, and public land management/land use change
• Resilient and experienced in working effectively with external partners
• Skilled in managing large complex projects and budgets
• Confident in leading a diverse team
• Able to show examples of where you’ve successfully managed change
• Adept at negotiating, influencing and communicating
• Good at involving all kinds of people, sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm, and giving great service
• Keen to make a difference, show initiative and work towards a sustainable future
• Overseeing compliance & coordination of and liaising with contractors

We're looking for 2 dynamic and forward‑thinking Restore Nature Delivery Manager's to lead our progressive nature conservation work and to develop, lead and deliver the vision to restore nature at landscape scale working beyond our boundaries in the Lake District.

You'll be joining us at an exciting time, with strategic plans being developed to help Restore Nature as part of our ambitious new ten‑year "People and Nature Thriving" strategy. You will help people to understand, connect with and enjoy our landscapes, heritage and wildlife, making a difference to a wide range of people every day. With great leadership and people management skills and experience of countryside management, you'll lead a staff and volunteer team to deliver landscape‑scale nature recovery. You will work as part of the portfolio's senior leadership team alongside Cumbria‑wide colleagues and project managers, to help inspire your team, as well as with wider collaborators and external partners to restore nature across the Lakes.

What it's like to work here

We're recruiting for 2 roles, one covering the South & East Lakes and one covering the North & West, location preferences will be discussed at interview, with flexible options on work base available. South and East Lakes spans from the shores of Ullswater to Coniston, the eastern reaches of, and iconic viewpoints like Claife Viewing Station and Blea Tarn. The area is rich in ancient woodlands, freshwater ecosystems, and species‑rich meadows, offering a unique opportunity to balance nature restoration, cultural heritage, and sustainable farming. North and West Lakes spans across 6 valleys and the Whitehaven coastline. Our landscapes sit within a world heritage site, protected for temperate rainforest and ancient woodland, peatlands, common land, iconic mountains and lakes and heritage coastline. At the heart of our work ethics is relationships, honesty and trust. Working closely internally and externally, we hold high regard for listening, sharing knowledge and experience, and enabling others to deliver our work for the benefit of a great vision and ambitious plans. We are part of something special – part of this organisation, and part of our communities – to make a difference, for now, for everyone, for ever.

The National Trust is committed to promoting and preserving those places of natural beauty and historic interest for which it has the privilege to be responsible for the benefit of the nation, for everyone for ever. The Trust is proud of what has been achieved over the last 126 years and is determined to maintain those high standards of conservation, stewardship and curatorial care for which it has been recognised throughout the world. Its achievements have enabled the general public and the Trust's members and visitors to enjoy and appreciate the countryside, coastline, gardens, historic buildings and collections, all of which encapsulate so much of the history of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is a duty to tell that history in a complete, balanced and accurate way, and without judgement. The National Trust continues as a guardian of the past, and for the future, to uphold its duty to maintain and enhance what has been entrusted to its care.

The package

• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places