Site Manager - WWT

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

Closing Date: 16/10/2026

Location: Castle Espie

Salary: £50,064 per annum

Status: Permanent

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.

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.

This is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week, five days out of seven.

About You

• 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 reserve or 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.

Why you’ll love working at WWT

• 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
• Employee Assistance Programme