Site Manager - North Highland Reserves

RSPB; Thurso; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

RSPB is seeking a dedicated Nature Reserves Manager to lead conservation efforts across three North Highland Nature Reserves in Thurso. The role involves planning, managing on-site activities, and ensuring stakeholder engagement, with responsibilities focused on maximizing conservation outcomes and visitor experience. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in land management, strong interpersonal skills, and relevant educational qualifications. Interviews are set for late July 2025.

Qualifications

• Experience in land management and conservation.
• Leadership skills with contractors and volunteers.
• Full manual driving license valid in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Lead conservation management and visitor objectives for three reserves.
• Develop and implement reserve management plans.
• Oversee site operations and manage budgets.

Skills

Understanding of ecological requirements

Strong social and interpersonal skills

Knowledge of project management

Education

Degree level education in a relevant discipline

Job description

Reference: MAY20259983
Location: Broubster Leans. Thurso, KW14 7RB
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £39,205.00 - £41,857.00 Per Annum

We're looking for somebody with the knowledge, passion and energy to lead RSPB Scotland's management at our three North Highland Nature Reserves: Broubster Leans, Dunnet Head and Eilean Hoan.

What's the role about?

Working closely with the RSPB Forsinard Flows Reserve management team, you will lead our work in the planning and implementation of our ambitious conservation management and visitor objectives, looking after these three reserves with differing conservation challenges, making sure they deliver for nature and people.

You will be:

• Responsible for the production/delivery of reserve management plans.
• Responsible for developing, organising and controlling on-site activities to maximise conservation outcomes, future visitor experience and income potential.
• Take responsibility for the safe and compliant management of all site operations, overseeing systems such that risks are adequately controlled.
• The main point of contact for the local community, neighbours and other external parties in order to build /maintain good relationships.
• Compiling and managing the site budgets to ensure financial compliance and delivery of RSPB objectives.
• Work actively with colleagues (e.g. Fundraising and Communications) to secure external grant income and ensure compliance with external funder requirements to deliver RSPB’s objectives for site and corporate objectives.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Understanding of the ecological & survey requirements of key species and habitats.
• A demonstrable track record of managing land.
• Strong social, interpersonal and diplomacy skills, with the gravitas to influence internal and external stakeholders, and engage with a wide range of people face to face.
• A demonstrable track record of managing people (contractors and/or volunteers).
• Knowledge of project and budget management.
• Experience of putting HSE/cross-compliance/risk management knowledge into practice.
• A full, manual driving licence valid in the UK is required due to the remote nature of the sites.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Educated to a degree level or equivalent experience in a relevant discipline.
• Experience of land management within the Scottish Highlands.
• Experience of managing grazing regimes for conservation.
• Certification or experience of machinery operation, such as tractor, ATV or boat operation.

Closing date: 23:59, Mon, 30th Jun 2025

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 23rd July 2025. Interviews will ideally be conducted in person at the RSPB Forsinard Flows field centre.

Apply HERE