Senior Farm Manager, NATIONAL TRUST

Guardian Jobs; Midhurst; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Talantir in the South Downs seeks a Senior Farm Manager to lead strategic farm and livestock management, delivering grazing plans that support conservation goals while guiding your team and volunteers. You’ll work with neighbours and conservation bodies to deliver landscape-scale projects that benefit nature and people.

You’ll ensure welfare, health and safety and environmental compliance, manage budgets and resources, and pursue opportunities for innovation and income.

Qualifications

• Significant practical experience in farm and livestock management.
• Knowledge of conservation grazing, agri-environment schemes and cross-compliance obligations.
• Strong leadership and coaching skills to inspire and develop your team.
• Understanding of risk, compliance and safety standards.
• Excellent communication skills to engage with visitors, partners and stakeholders.
• Experience in financial and resource management, alongside project delivery.
• Competence with farm machinery.

Responsibilities

• Lead on strategic farm and livestock management and grazing plans.
• Manage your team, staff and volunteers and work with the countryside team.
• Build partnerships with neighbours, landowners and conservation groups.
• Oversee day-to-day compliance with welfare, health and safety and environmental rules.
• Manage budgets and resources and identify opportunities for innovation and income.
• Enhance visitor experiences by promoting farming and conservation through programmes.
• Contribute to delivering landscape-scale projects benefiting nature and people.

Skills

Livestock management

Farm operations

Conservation grazing knowledge

Leadership / coaching

Risk, compliance, safety

Visitor engagement

Financial & resource management

Farm machinery competence

Job description

We’re looking for a Senior Farm Manager to manage our livestock based in the western part of the South Downs and lead the strategic planning and advise on livestock operations across the South Downs. This is a unique opportunity to combine your passion for farming, conservation, and people, ensuring our landscapes thrive for nature and visitors alike.

Proposed interview date: 9th April 2026 (this date will be brought forward for redeployee applicants who are shortlisted).

What It's Like To Work Here

You’ll be part of the Restore Nature Leadership Team reporting directly to the Restore Nature Delivery Manager, alongside the Lead Rangers, Wildlife Manager, Head Forester and Ecologist. You'll have one Farm Worker reporting directly to you and you’ll be based at Pound Common Farm, just outside Midhurst.

What You'll Be Doing

As Senior Farm Manager, you’ll take the lead on strategic farm and livestock management, ensuring grazing plans deliver healthy, natural environments that support conservation goals. You’ll manage your team, staff and volunteers and work closely with the South Downs West countryside team, creating a culture of safety, collaboration, and excellence.

Building strong partnerships with neighbours, landowners, and conservation organisations will be central to your role, enabling you to deliver landscape-scale projects that benefit nature and people.

You’ll oversee day to day compliance with animal welfare, health and safety, and environmental regulations, while managing budgets and resources effectively to achieve operational targets. Alongside this, you’ll identify opportunities for innovation and income generation, and play a key role in enhancing visitor experiences by promoting understanding of farming and conservation through engaging programmes and communications.

Who We're Looking For

Criteria for all other applicants:

• Significant practical experience in farm and livestock management
• Knowledge of conservation grazing, agri-environment schemes, and cross-compliance obligations
• Strong leadership and coaching skills to inspire and develop your team
• Understanding of risk, compliance, and safety standards
• Excellent communication skills to engage with visitors, partners, and stakeholders
• Experience in financial and resource management, alongside project delivery
• Competence with farm machinery