Wildlife Manager - National Trust

Countryside Classroom; Keswick; Hybrid; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Part time

Job summary

National Trust in the Lake District is seeking a Wildlife Manager to lead landscape-scale wildlife conservation actions. You will use evidence-based approaches to manage populations, assess ecological impacts and deliver practical conservation actions for wildlife and people.

Based at Bowe Barn in Keswick, you will be on-site at least two days per week and work with partners, tenants and landowners to achieve shared biodiversity recovery outcomes.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in wildlife conservation or countryside management.
• Experience delivering wildlife management programmes using data.
• Understanding balancing conservation on working landscapes.
• Strong relationship-building and collaborative skills.
• Experience leading staff, volunteers or contractors.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including public speaking.
• Good organisational skills and ability to plan and prioritise.
• Full, clean UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate deer, grey squirrel and mink management programmes across the Lake District.
• Assess wildlife populations using ecological evidence and monitoring data.
• Collaborate with National Trust teams, tenants, landowners and partners to deliver landscape-scale conservation.
• Line manage and support an Assistant Wildlife Manager and coordinate staff, contractors and partners.
• Represent the National Trust in wildlife partnerships and biodiversity recovery initiatives.

Skills

Wildlife conservation

Programme management

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Communication skills

Organisation

UK driving licence

Job description

Location: Borrowdale, Bowe Barn, Keswick, CA12 5UP

Contract Type: Fixed term until 28th February 2029

Reference: IRC179921

Closing Date: 25th October

Salary: £34,437 per annum

Ready to lead wildlife conservation at landscape scale in the Lake District? As Wildlife Manager, you'll use evidence-based approaches to manage wildlife populations, assess ecological impacts and deliver practical conservation action, sustainable outcomes for wildlife and people.

The Lake District is England's largest National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to important habitats, wildlife and landscapes. Reporting to the Tree & Woodland Manager, you'll join a team delivering nature recovery at scale, working with colleagues, tenant farmers, landowners and conservation partners to achieve shared outcomes. Based at Bowe Barn, you'll work on site at least two days per week and regularly use office hubs across the Lake District.

You'll lead and coordinate deer, grey squirrel and mink management programmes across the Lake District, supporting woodland expansion, habitat restoration and biodiversity recovery. Using ecological evidence and monitoring data, you'll assess wildlife populations and their impacts, helping to inform management decisions and evaluate outcomes.

Working with National Trust teams, tenant farmers, neighbouring landowners and conservation partners, you'll champion collaborative, landscape-scale approaches to wildlife management and build strong relationships. You'll represent the National Trust in wildlife management partnerships and support delivery of nature recovery ambitions across the Lake District. You'll line manage and support an Assistant Wildlife Manager, coordinating the work of staff, contractors and partners to deliver safe, effective and sustainable species management programmes that support healthier, more resilient habitats.

We'd love to hear from you if you have:

• Strong experience in wildlife conservation, wildlife management, countryside management or a closely related field.
• Experience developing and delivering wildlife management programmes, using ecological evidence and monitoring data to inform decisions and evaluate outcomes.
• A strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in balancing conservation objectives across a working landscape.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively and influence partners, landowners, communities and conservation organisations.
• Experience leading and coordinating staff, volunteers, partners or contractors to deliver shared conservation outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public presentation.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver work safely and effectively.
• A full, clean UK driving licence.