Director of Business Planning and Development

This is an exciting new role created as part of a restructure of the senior leadership team at
Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT) to enable the organisation to grow and achieve more for nature’s
recovery in Somerset.

Director of Business Planning and Development

Salary: £55,000 – £60,000

Contract type: Permanent / Working hours: Full time

Location: Taunton, Somerset. With opportunities for hybrid working

With outstanding business planning, strategy and leadership abilities, the post-holder with
significant experience in developing new business initiatives, will be able to bring together
teams into one department and create a cohesive business plan for SWT.

This post will work closely with the CEO as part of the Director’s Team and is a member of the
Senior Leadership Team.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Leadership & Management: The Director of Business Planning & Development will be part
of the newly created Director’s Team at Somerset Wildlife Trust (SWT) and part of the Senior
Leadership Team, partnering the CEO to:

• Lead the development and delivery of a comprehensive business plan for SWT until 2030
  setting out resource, HR and financial requirements for the Trust to be able to realise our
  strategic goals
• Provide strategic leadership for the department and across SWT taking responsibility for
  collective decision making, creating opportunities and managing risk.
• Design and implement business development measures to grow revenue, monitor performance and
  impact against strategic goals.
• Influence and mentor the teams within the department.
• Report to trustees and sales directors as required including attendance at board meetings.
• Be accountable for the setting and management of budgets for the department.
• Identify & secure strategic sources of income to fund delivery.

Responsibility 1: Business Planning

Lead business planning for SWT including customising business propositions, workforce strategy,
financial strategy and resource allocation:

➢ Oversee & coordinate a strategic business & financial strategy for SWT & the
sales company aligned to support delivery of Wilder Somerset 2030 setting out what SWT will
look like in 2030, where and how we will operate and how we will be financed including through
commercial activities

➢ Lead and customise the service proposition to ensure sales are innovative, ahead of trends
and competitors

➢ Lead strategic development of all core services (IT, HR, Resources and Facilities, Fleet) to
support delivery of SWT’s strategic goals.

Responsibility 2: Commercial Leadership

Provide leadership and support for SWT sales company to grow and achieve targets for nature and
income generation:

➢ Support SWT Consultancy Manager to create, develop and deliver a business strategy for the
Sales Company, overseeing financial management and monitoring of SWT Sales against agreed KPIs.

➢ Support & develop staff to implement agreed new income streams and grow existing ones
achieving higher year on year surplus while contributing to Wilder Somerset 2030 outcomes.

➢ Develop core services to support the efficient growth of SWT Sales.

Responsibility 3: Governance and Compliance

Coordinate governance and compliance functions across SWT in line with best practice standards:

➢ Act as Company Secretary and ensure the trustees and sales board directors are supported and
effective in their decision making with outstanding governance policies and practices.

➢ Oversee risk management and corporate risk register, and act as strategic lead on processes,
systems development, compliance and internal controls.

➢ Ensure SWT and SWT Consultancy are always compliant with Health & Safety, Safeguarding
GDPR and other relevant legislation.

➢ Ensure all operational management and strategies achieve SWT’s Environmental and Carbon
Impact and EDI targets.

Benefits of working with us:

• 7% employer pension contribution.
• 25 days leave plus Bank Holidays & 3 additional discretionary days (pro rata).
• Flexible working including Time Off in Lieu & hybrid working options.
• Dedicated 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme for you and your household.
• Part of a national team of Wildlife Trusts Staff.
• Discounts in high street retailers.
• Joining a supportive team with Mental Health awareness and champions.
• Working across some of the most beautiful locations in the county.

Closing date: Monday 12 February 2024

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed
to our website to complete your application for this position.

Somerset Wildlife Trust has an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan and is committed to
continuing to improve the equality, diversity and inclusion of every aspect of our work; we
know we need to engage with everyone to live our values and achieve our goals. We welcome
applications from everyone and are happy to discuss any accommodations or arrangements that
would make the recruitment process better for you, and the working environment should you be
employed.

No agencies please.