Site Manager

British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA); Greater London; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Free entry to wetland centres

Contributory pension

Free car parking

Job summary

WWT Castle Espie is seeking an experienced Site Manager to lead a 37.5-hour week, overseeing staff and volunteers, budgets and visitor objectives. You will drive conservation outcomes and enhance the wildlife and habitat across the reserve and Strangford Lough area.

You will lead teams, collaborate with partners and statutory bodies, and ensure an outstanding visitor experience while safeguarding wildlife and habitat values.

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent level of education is required.
• Experience leading conservation objectives on large land areas.
• Experience developing and implementing conservation plans and work programmes.
• Strong general management experience, preferably in visitor centres or reserves.
• Proven budget management across multiple departments.
• Strong leadership and people-management abilities.
• Ability to balance conservation, commercial, visitor and operational priorities.
• Excellent communication with visitors, communities, partners and statutory bodies.

Responsibilities

• Lead Castle Espie and its team of staff and volunteers to meet conservation, financial and visitor goals.
• Maximise wildlife and habitat potential across the reserve and Strangford Lough area.
• Develop and implement conservation management plans and work programmes.
• Oversee budgets, recruitment, development and performance of staff.
• Act as a visible leader, ensuring a welcoming visitor experience.

Skills

Land conservation leadership

Budget management

People management

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Visitor experience focus

Decision making under pressure

Communication with partners

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

WWT Castle Espie

Northern Ireland Closing date for applications is: 16th Oct 2026

Contact: Recruitment Team ([e-mail]) Sector: Conservation Type: Paid Contract type: Full-time Salary: £50,064 per annum

About The Role

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.

About You

we are looking for an experienced manager and inspiring leader who combines strong conservation knowledge with the confidence and judgement needed to run a complex operational site. You will have substantial practical experience of managing land for conservation and of developing and implementing conservation management plans.

Just as importantly, you will be an effective people and operational manager. You will have experience of leading and developing staff, managing budgets and balancing competing priorities. Ideally, you will have gained this experience within a visitor-facing environment.

You’ll enjoy being a visible leader and be comfortable getting involved in the practical realities of running the site.

Above all, you will recognize the potential of this very special place and be excited by the opportunity to help Castle Espie become an even stronger centre for wetland conservation and a gateway to the wildlife and landscapes of Strangford Lough.

Essential criteria

• 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 reserves and 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 ground-breaking 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