We are looking for a dynamic and well organised Senior Site Manager to lead our work saving nature on the Kent coast. Your demonstrable people skills and the ability to motivate and inspire others will see you lead a reserve team that delivers ecological reserve management on rare and specialist habitats and a quality visitor experience at our Dungeness reserve. With effective communication skills, a passion for wildlife and experience of wetland ecology, you will have the energy and enthusiasm to bring positive change for wildlife and deliver outstanding experiences for our visitors.  

Based at RSPB Dungeness and Lydden Valley, the role offers an exciting opportunity to experience the full range of conservation work on the RSPB’s oldest reserve, and at its most recent. Dungeness, an RSPB reserve since 1931, is home to an internationally important range of animals and plants - from bitterns to bumblebees to Nottingham catchfly, Dungeness is one of the most biodiverse sites in the UK, while Lydden Valley, a newly acquired reserve that has been restored in the last two years thanks to a £1.2m Wetland Improvement grant, provides a rich mosaic of wetland habitats with an established population of beavers.  

We have ambitious plans to increase our impact at Dungeness and Lydden Valley, including:

• Designing and delivering a programme of wetland enhancements at Dungeness for the benefit of breeding waders, bitterns and terns 
• Increasing the extent and quality of the new wetland reserve at Lydden Valley 
• Renewing the visitor experience at Dungeness to appeal to new audiences and increase profitability

Key areas of work will include:  

• Leading the vision and direction for Dungeness and Lydden Valley, through the production and delivery of five-year reserve management plans to deliver site objectives 
• Lead and develop the reserve team to effectively deliver site objectives
• Develop and manage the site budget to ensure financial compliance and delivery of the RSPB’s objectives 
• Work actively with colleagues to secure external grant income and ensure compliance with external funder requirements 
• Take responsibility for the safe and compliant management of all site operations, overseeing systems such that risks are controlled
• Work actively with our Land Agency team, to ensure that the reserve estate and buildings are well-maintained, safe, secure and risk-free at all times
• Be the main point of contact with the local community to build and maintain good relationships

Essential skills, experience, and qualifications: 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
• Experience of managing teams and individuals, staff and volunteers, preferably within a large organisation 
• Conservation, ecological and land management experience of key species and habitats 
• Proven experience of developing and managing large scale projects 
• Experience of managing budgets 
• Experience of visitor operations  
• A proven track record of managing large and complex nature reserves 
• Contract management experience 
• Proven ability to work in partnership and with communities 
• Proven ability to manage risks, compliance and health and safety on sites 

This is a Permanent, Full Time role. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from 1st November 2021. Should you have any questions about the role please contact Alan Johnson, Area Manager for Kent & Essex at alan.johnson@rspb.org.uk 

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a full application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience requested. If you wish to provide a cover letter with your application, please include this at the end of your CV document upload.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.