Woodland Creation Grant Programme Manager - Northern Forest

ABOUT US
The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity. We want to see a world where trees and woods thrive for people and nature. The Trust engages and inspires people to make their difference tackling the nature and climate crisis helping protect, restore, and create our vital woods and trees.

THE ROLE
The Woodland Creation Grant Programme Manager will lead, facilitate and coordinate programme management of the Woodland Trust’s ambitious programme of new native woodland creation and tree establishment within the Northern Forest, through the Grow Back Greener grant which is supported by Defra funding (via the Nature for Climate Fund), and delivered in partnership with four Community Forests. It delivers through provision of grants, and direct advice and support to landowners by the Woodland Trust’s own advisers and seven partner organisations. This is a senior role, line managing a Project Coordinator and Administrator, and working closely with the partners and the Trust’s established outreach adviser team to ensure targets are met.

You will maintain the overview of the Woodland Trust element of the Grow Back Greener woodland creation programme, managing relationships with those who facilitate delivery of woodland creation schemes on the ground, with statutory agencies, and with other teams within the Trust to ensure the programme runs smoothly. You will monitor and report on outputs and work with external stakeholders to overcome barriers and maximise opportunities for trees, woods, people and wildlife. You will be based in or close to the Northern Forest which covers a large area either side of the M62 corridor from Liverpool to Hull, stretching as far north as the Yorkshire Dales and as far south as Derbyshire.

The Northern Forest: Planting 50 Million Trees | The Woodland Trust

THE CANDIDATE
You’ll be a natural leader with excellent communication skills to develop key relationships with internal and external stakeholders. You’ll have a passion for protecting and improving our environment with a good working knowledge of land management practices.

You’ll have exceptional planning and organisational skills and experience in working to deadlines and to budget. You’ll have experience of managing relevant projects and/or programmes of work and be a strategic thinker able to prioritise and make decisions on the best way to achieve objectives.

WHAT TO EXPECT BY JOINING A TEAM AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE
There’s no other organisation like the Woodland Trust. Joining the team you will be making your contribution to tackling the nature and climate crisis. In return, we recognise and value our people. You'll have our full support, training and opportunities for professional development, along with a contributory pension, life assurance, good holiday allowance and the opportunity to work flexibly from home.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
At the Woodland Trust, we want to reflect and represent the full richness of diversity in the UK. Fewer of our employees are Black, Asian or minority ethnic; disabled; from lower socio-economic backgrounds or under 25; so we are particularly keen to receive your application if you are from one or more of these groups. We can also discuss anything you may need to achieve your full potential at any stage of the process. We assess your application solely on your demonstrated suitability for the job. Nothing else.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. If you are interested, we'd encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.