South West Peatland Partnership Restoration Manager - South West Water

Countryside Classroom; Okehampton; Remote; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

South West Water is seeking an experienced Restoration Manager to lead peatland restoration across the South West, delivering large-scale projects and managing a multidisciplinary team.

Based in Okehampton with regular travel, you will oversee planning, procurement, health and safety, stakeholder engagement and programme delivery to enhance biodiversity and water quality.

Interviews are planned for 30 November. You will work closely with landowners, partners and local authorities.

Qualifications

• Experience in habitat restoration and landscape-scale projects.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of peatland restoration preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead peatland restoration across the South West.
• Manage SWPP five-year work programme.
• Oversee procurement, budgets, and safety compliance.
• Engage landowners, tenants, partners and stakeholders.
• Report on programme governance and progress.

Skills

Environmental leadership

Conservation planning

Team management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in environmental science or related field

Job description

Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose

South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.

We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.

Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.

Location: Okehampton (with regular travel across the South West)

Salary: £40,000 - £50,000 dependent on experience.

Help Restore Some of the South West's Most Important Landscapes

The South West Peatland Partnership (SWPP) is one of the UK's largest peatland restoration programmes, bringing together 22 partner organisations to restore and protect vital peatland habitats across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. Hosted by South West Water, the partnership delivers ambitious restoration projects that support biodiversity, improve water quality, increase carbon storage and strengthen climate resilience across the region.

We're looking for an experienced Restoration Manager to lead our restoration programme delivery, manage a talented multidisciplinary team, and help drive landscape-scale environmental improvements across some of the South West's most important natural landscapes.

Please note interviews will be held on the 30th November.

What you'll be doing:

As Restoration Manager, you'll play a leading role in developing and delivering peatland restoration activities across the partnership area. Working closely with the Mires Manager and a wide range of stakeholders, you'll oversee restoration planning, contractor management, health and safety, stakeholder engagement and programme delivery.

• Lead the delivery of large-scale peatland restoration projects across the South West.
• Develop and manage the SWPP five-year restoration work programme.
• Manage and support restoration teams and partner organisations.
• Oversee procurement activities, contractor performance and budget forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety requirements, including CDM regulations.
• Build strong relationships with landowners, tenants, partners and external stakeholders.
• Lead programme reporting and governance activities.
• Drive innovation and continuous improvement in restoration delivery.

What we're looking for:

You’ll be an experienced environmental, conservation or land management professional who combines strong leadership capability with a passion for habitat restoration and nature recovery.

Closing Date: 22nd November 2026