Site Manager: Wetland Reserve & Visitor Experience Lead

Countryside Classroom; Castle Espie; Remote; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

WWT Castle Espie seeks an outstanding Site Manager to lead the next chapter for Castle Espie, our wetland reserve on the shores of Strangford Lough. You will head a team of staff and volunteers, delivering conservation, financial and visitor objectives.

The role is full-time (37.5 hours/week, five days out of seven) with a focus on balancing conservation, commercial, visitor and operational priorities, and requires experience in managing budgets and implementing conservation programmes.

Qualifications

• A degree or equivalent level of education.
• Demonstrable experience of managing significant areas of land to achieve conservation objectives.
• Experience developing and implementing conservation management plans and work programmes.
• General management experience, ideally within a visitor centre, nature reserve or attraction.
• Experience managing significant budgets across multiple departments.
• Strong leadership and people-management skills, including recruitment, development and performance management.
• Ability to balance conservation, commercial, visitor and operational priorities.
• Confidence communicating with visitors, communities, partners and statutory organisations.
• Willingness to obtain practical qualifications in spraying, brush-cutting, and tractor operation within three months.

Responsibilities

• Lead Castle Espie, directing its staff and volunteers and delivering conservation, financial and visitor objectives.
• Take an active, practical lead in maximizing wildlife and habitat potential across the reserve and Strangford Lough areas in WWT’s care.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Conservation experience

People management

Communication

Education

Degree or equivalent

Job description

WWT Castle Espie seeks an outstanding Site Manager to lead the next chapter for Castle Espie, our wetland reserve on the shores of Strangford Lough. You will head a team of staff and volunteers, delivering conservation, financial and visitor objectives.

The role is full-time (37.5 hours/week, five days out of seven) with a focus on balancing conservation, commercial, visitor and operational priorities, and requires experience in managing budgets and implementing conservation programmes.