We are looking for an organised, dynamic, and passionate person to lead the team and work programme delivery on this large and exciting upland RSPB nature reserve. This is an exciting and varied role that presents a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference for nature, at scale! Geltsdale is one of the RSPB’s most significant flagship upland reserves, and this role will see the successful candidate drive forward our landscape scale conservation delivery and working to re-enable natural processes.

To make a success of this opportunity, you will be a capable manager with the ability to work well with a broad range of contacts, both within the RSPB and beyond. You will be able to apply your strong programme and people management skills in a pragmatic and focused way to enable the reserve team to deliver the best possible outcomes for our priority habitats and species. 

What's the role about?

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in driving and overseeing a significant and complex work programme across RSPB’s Geltsdale reserve and wider landscape.

The reserve is at the top of the North Pennines AONB, spanning the counties of Northumberland and Cumbria. It hosts important populations of many species, such as curlew, golden plover, black grouse, hen harrier, ring ouzel and red squirrel. The reserve has extensive areas of moorland, blanket bog, upland grasslands, Atlantic oak woodland and farmland habitats, important for a wide range of key species. We have undertaken a significant programme of habitat restoration works to date, including peatland restoration, upland woodland creation and river restoration. Working closely with our tenant grazier we manage the site with extensive cattle grazing utilising NoFence technology, to deliver our ecological land management. The reserve sits at the heart of our Pennines and Dales priority landscape, so acts as the core for some of our wider landscape conservation delivery for priority species and habitats. The role will see you working closely alongside our wider conservation team and partners alike. Geltsdale has long been an important site for demonstrating innovative techniques for habitat restoration, sustainable agriculture and upland management and remains one of our most important demonstration sites where we spend a significant amount of time hosting visits to the reserve.

Management on the reserve is often multi-layered and complex, so good project management skills twinned with forward thinking, and a keen willingness to solve practical problems will be required. 

The successful candidate will have an important external role, building positive relationships with key partners and stakeholders, so that RSPB’s policies and messages are understood and furthered within relevant partnerships, the media and to a range of stakeholders and decision makers.

Key elements of reserve management include managing the team, budgeting/financial management, H&S, compliance, project management, management planning, reporting and public relations.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Effective project and budget management skills
• Ability to prioritise work programmes
• Strong team management experience
• Experience of managing large nature reserves, sites or land management operations
• Knowledge of the wildlife and habitats of the area
• Ability to work effectively as a team or partnership member
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentational) –including an ability to speak in public to a variety of audiences to share best practice and advocate positions to landowners and managers, local politicians, members and volunteers who have differing views.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

• Experience of working to survey, protect and/or manage important sites, species, or habitats, especially in the uplands
• Knowledge of upland land management, especially in relation to grazing, moorland management and rewilding
• Understanding of the importance of a range of management interventions including predator control and professional deer management

This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on 23rd June 2023, at RSPB Geltsdale reserve. For further information please get in touch with David Morris, Area Manager, david.morris@rspb.org.uk.

As part of this application process, you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

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

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

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

Please note that this position does not qualify for sponsorship. The chosen candidate must be able to present a valid right-to-work document.