Trees for Climate Programme Director

Cheshire West and Chester Council; Ellesmere Port; On-site; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in the United Kingdom is seeking a Programme Director to lead significant environmental initiatives aimed at transforming the UK's environmental landscape. This unique role requires collaboration with national partners and stakeholders to achieve ambitious woodland creation targets, while ensuring sustainability and management of funds. The ideal candidate will possess substantial program leadership experience and a passion for biodiversity. A minimum salary of £12.60 per hour is guaranteed.

Benefits

Local Living Wage of £12.60 per hour

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Programme Director for large-scale initiatives.
• Strong understanding of UK environmental funding mechanisms and public sector engagement.
• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver large-scale environmental outcomes and ensure financial and quality standards.
• Collaborate with Community Forests and national delivery partners.
• Engage with Defra, funders, and stakeholders.

Skills

Experience as a Programme Director for large-scale initiatives

Understanding of UK environmental funding mechanisms

Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills

Expertise in financial forecasting and budget management

Commitment to environmental sustainability

Strategic thinking

Collaborative leadership style

Focus on continuous improvement

Job description

As the Programme Director, you will be responsible for delivering large-scale environmental outcomes, ensuring financial and quality standards in the scheme, leading the Programme Management Office, and providing regular updates to Defra on all aspects of the programme. You will work closely with Community Forests across England, the Community Forest Trust, the Woodland Trust, and the National Trust. Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the Trees for Climate program.

• Continue to develop financial and program monitoring processes and reporting systems that meet the requirements of a program of this scale.
• Collaborate with 15 Community Forests and national delivery partners to achieve ambitious woodland creation targets.
• Engage with Defra, funders, and stakeholders to align with national environmental goals.
• Direct additional fundraising efforts and manage a substantial program budget.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to demonstrate impact and inform future policy.
• Advocate for sustainable land management and community well‑being through forest‑based regeneration.

This is a unique opportunity to lead a nationally significant program that will shape the UK's environmental landscape for generations to come. You will work with dedicated partners, influence policy, and create a lasting legacy in climate action and community regeneration.

• Proven experience as a Programme Director for large‑scale initiatives.
• Strong understanding of UK environmental funding mechanisms and public sector engagement.
• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Expertise in financial forecasting and budget management.
• A passionate commitment to environmental sustainability, and biodiversity.
• A strategic thinker with a collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
• Innovative and resilient, with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Values that align with those of Cheshire West and Chester Council and England's Community Forests.

Cheshire West and Chester Council have adopted a Local Living Wage for our employees which means that all employees will receive a minimum of £12.60 per hour for all contracted hours.