Conservation Delivery Manager

We’re looking for an experienced land conservation manager and team leader who can support an
experienced team of wardens and volunteers to deliver a programme of capital works alongside
our day-to-day habitat management. 

We have big ambition for St Aidan’s Nature Park and Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve, supporting
the recovery of habitats and species populations, adaptation to climate change and sustainable
land management. We want the Aire Valley to deliver more for nature and people.

With extensive knowledge of wetland habitats for UK bird species, you will have the experience
to deliver large-scale change through an ambitious programme of capital works. To do this, you
will manage a team of wardens across the Aire Valley to deliver their annual work programme
alongside project-based capital works with external contractors. You’ll collaborate with
regional and national experts to deliver grant funded capital works following our project
management framework. Seeking out funding opportunities for reserve needs, by producing
business cases, project plans, and working with internal consultants to secure grants and
funding opportunities. With strong contractor management and budget management experience, you
will ensure conservation projects and annual habitat works with external parties, including
graziers and contractors are delivered on time and to budget.

As an essential member of the Aire Valley leadership team, you’ll work alongside colleagues in
this team to deliver the RSPB’s strategic ambitions at a reserve level. You’ll help define the
future of the team you lead and the sites you look after. You will provide leadership and
management of the warden staff and volunteer teams to ensure maintenance works (footpaths,
gates, fencing etc) are routinely carried out alongside annual habitat management and
monitoring works. You will work closely with the Senior Sites Manager and the Visitor
Operations Manager to ensure all works are seasonally planned and sufficiently resourced,
identifying internal and external delivery priorities.

As line manager to two warden teams, you will work cohesively with the visitor operations,
community engagement and project teams as directed by the Senior Sites Manager to achieve the
objectives of the whole team. 

You will manage the appointment of contractors and the supervision of works through the
delivery stage, ensuring the high standards set by the RSPB are achieved.

As Conservation Delivery Manager, you’ll have the satisfaction of leading the development of
the ecological value of two very different sites to deliver key conservation targets, whilst
ensuring best practice for health and safety, cross compliance, livestock and the safety of our
visitors and members.

Essential skills, knowledge, & experience:

• Extensive knowledge of land management for conservation in wetland habitats for UK bird
  species.
• Strong team leadership skills, leading both staff and volunteers
• Experienced budget manager with understanding of grant claims and agri-environment schemes.
• Experience in working with project management frameworks to deliver large scale habitat
  conservation capital works.
• Background in procurement and contractor management.
• An excellent communicator and collaborative worker.
• Good understanding of conservation works and practical skills.
• Ability to write reports in a timely manner, make clear and firm recommendations to
  managers.
• Extensive knowledge of relevant health & safety and legal compliance.
• A suitable licence allowing you to drive a manual car/utility vehicle on UK public roads.

Desirable skills, knowledge, & experience:

• Computer literate.
• Good organisational skills.

Additional information:

• Some weekend, evening, early morning, and bank holiday working may be required.
• This is an on-site based role, working across two separate locations.
• You will be required to travel between the two sites, there is no public transport to
  Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve.
• This role will involve lone working.

This is a Fixed-Term role for 3 years. Full-Time for 37.5 hours per week.

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising
dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from week commencing 29 January 2024.
For further information please contact [email protected] and [email protected].

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.

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.

This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship – the successful applicant will need to have
a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.