Senior Reserves Lead (Maternity Cover)

UKundwork London; Wrexham; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Wild Ground is seeking a Senior Reserves Lead to oversee nature reserves across North Wales, delivering habitat management, biodiversity projects and community engagement. You will lead a dedicated team, manage budgets and ensure high standards of safety and reporting.

The role focuses on practical conservation work, staff supervision and coordinating volunteers, with responsibilities spanning monitoring, licensing support and stakeholder collaboration.

Qualifications

• Level 3+ in Conservation, Environmental Management or related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Knowledge of biodiversity conservation, habitat management and ecological principles.
• Experience coordinating conservation or land-management programmes.
• Experience leading staff, volunteers or community groups.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate habitat and site management across Wild Ground reserves.
• Ensure work aligns with management plans, funding and best practice.
• Oversee site safety, licensing requirements and habitat activities.
• Plan wildlife surveys, species monitoring and annual great crested newt surveys.
• Line manage Reserves Officers and project staff.
• Coordinate volunteer recruitment, training and supervision.
• Deliver educational sessions to schools, groups and volunteers.
• Maintain relationships with authorities, contractors and funders.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and with high quality.
• Maintain project records and performance data.
• Support funding applications and future project work.
• Promote conservation activities through community engagement.

Skills

Conservation

Leadership

Project management

Wildlife monitoring

Team supervision

Stakeholder engagement

Planning & budgeting

Health & safety

Education

Level 3 in Conservation or Environment

Job description

We are seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Senior Reserves Lead for up to 12 months to oversee the management and conservation of Wild Ground's nature reserves across North Wales. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a dedicated team delivering habitat management, biodiversity conservation projects, wildlife monitoring and community engagement activities.

Job Purpose

The successful candidate will play a key role in the planning and delivery of practical conservation work, managing reserve operations, supporting environmental projects and supervising staff, volunteers and trainees. This role is ideal for someone with strong conservation knowledge, excellent leadership skills and a passion for protecting and enhancing the natural environment

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate practical habitat and site management activities across Wild Ground nature reserves.
• Deliver conservation work in line with site management plans, funding requirements and environmental best practice.
• Manage site safety and tree safety processes across reserves and project sites.
• Support ecological licensing requirements and habitat management activities.
• Plan and participate in wildlife surveys, species monitoring and annual great crested newt surveys.
• Line manage and support Reserves Officers and environmental project staff.
• Coordinate volunteer recruitment, induction, training and supervision.
• Deliver educational and environmental sessions for schools, community groups, volunteers and trainees.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with local authorities, contractors, stakeholders, funders and community partners.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to a high standard, including risk assessments, reporting and evaluation.
• Maintain accurate project records, monitoring information and performance data.
• Support funding applications and future project development.
• Promote the organisation and its conservation activities through community engagement and partnership working.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety policies and safe working procedures

Skills

• Qualification at Level 3 or above in Conservation, Environmental Management or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• Knowledge and experience of biodiversity conservation, ecological principles and habitat management.
• Experience coordinating conservation, environmental or land management programmes.
• Experience carrying out wildlife surveys and environmental monitoring.
• Previous experience managing staff, volunteers or community groups.
• Ability to motivate, train and supervise others.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workloads and meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience producing reports and maintaining accurate project records.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of health and safety requirements and safe working practices.
• Full UK manual driving licence.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• IOSH Working Safely qualification.
• First Aid at Work certification.
• Practical land-based management qualifications.
• MIDAS qualification.
• Ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh.

Why Join Us

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on biodiversity conservation while working with communities, volunteers and environmental professionals to create and maintain thriving green spaces across North Wales. We welcome applications from individuals who share our values and are passionate about protecting and enhancing the natural environment.