Species Reintroduction Strategic Lead

El Bichólogo; Matlock; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust in Derbyshire is seeking a dedicated leader to drive species reintroduction and landscape-scale nature recovery as part of Wilder 2030. You will shape strategic frameworks, secure funding and build strong partnerships with communities, landowners and funders of conservation initiatives.

The role balances office-based leadership with extensive field work across the county, enabling communities to reconnect with nature and support resilient ecosystems.

Qualifications

• Experience developing environmental or nature-recovery programmes at landscape scale.
• Led and developed teams, creating positive working cultures.
• Strong track record securing external funding via grants, bids, tenders or partnerships.
• Skilled at building partnerships with communities, landowners, funders and public bodies.
• Understanding of species reintroduction, rewilding and nature-based solutions.
• Excellent communicator able to influence and engage a wide audience.
• Experience managing programmes and budgets delivering strategic objectives.
• Degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for species reintroduction and recovery across Derbyshire.
• Develop and deliver a pipeline of evidence-led projects aligned with Wilder 2030.
• Build partnerships with communities, landowners, public bodies and funders.
• Secure external funding through grants, tenders and innovative financing.
• Oversee programme budgets, delivery against objectives and reporting.
• Lead, develop and inspire a small team in a collaborative culture.
• Represent the Trust at local, regional and national forums for nature recovery.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Fundraising

Team leadership

Budget management

Excellent communication

Education

Degree in a relevant discipline

Job description

Can you lead our bold vision to bring back Derbyshire’s lost species and help rewrite the story of nature’s recovery?

This is a unique and exciting opportunity to play a central role in delivering Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s Wilder 2030 strategy, leading ambitious species reintroduction work at the heart of one of the most inspiring areas of nature recovery. As Species Reintroduction Strategic Lead, you will shape and drive forward a bold programme to bring back lost species, restore thriving ecosystems and create a wilder future for Derbyshire.

Working with colleagues, communities, landowners, partners and funders, you will develop a strategic framework for species reintroductions and creating a pipeline of impactful projects that contribute to our Wilder 2030 ambitions. This is an opportunity to lead transformational change for wildlife while helping people reconnect with nature and build resilient landscapes across Derbyshire.

To be successful, you will combine strategic leadership with practical delivery, turning bold ambitions into credible, well-planned action. You will bring people with you by building trusted relationships with communities, landowners, funders and partners, communicating the vision clearly and creating the confidence and support needed to maximise impact.

Responsibilities

In this role, you will provide strategic leadership for species reintroduction and recovery across Derbyshire. You will:

• Lead the development of a strategic framework for species reintroductions across the Trust’s Priority Programmes.
• Develop and deliver a pipeline of evidence-led species reintroduction and recovery projects that contribute to the Trust’s Wilder 2030 vision
• Build strong partnerships with communities, landowners, public bodies, funders and conservation organisations to support nature recovery.
• Secure external funding and investment through grant applications, tenders and innovative financing opportunities.
• Oversee programme budgets, monitoring delivery against agreed objectives, outcomes and reporting requirements.
• Lead, inspire and develop a small team, creating a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Represent Derbyshire Wildlife Trust at local, regional and national forums, championing species reintroduction and nature recovery.

About you

This role might be right for you if:

• You have experience developing and delivering environmental, species reintroduction or nature recovery programmes at a landscape scale.
• You have successfully led and developed teams, creating positive and effective working cultures.
• You have a strong track record of securing external funding through grants, bids, tenders or partnership funding.
• You are skilled at building and maintaining partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, from communities and landowners to funders and public bodies.
• You have a strong understanding of species reintroduction, nature recovery, rewilding and nature-based solutions.
• You are an excellent communicator who can influence, inspire and engage a wide range of audiences.
• You have experience managing programmes and budgets and delivering against strategic objectives.
• You hold a degree-level qualification in a relevant discipline or have equivalent professional experience.
• You are passionate about creating a Wilder Derbyshire and enabling nature’s recovery at scale.

This role will be based at our office in Middleton whilst with a very large amount of field work. A balance of home and office working will also be allowed. We are a local charity so applicants should be easily able to access our office and other locations around the county.