Head of Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre

Location: Woods Mill with some hybrid options
Salary: £38,850
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 35 hrs per week
Closing Date: 23rd June 2024
Interview Date: 28th June 2024

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre is one of the many local environmental record
centres situated around the UK. It provides environmental information services encompassing
biodiversity, geodiversity and other aspects of Sussex’s natural capital. SxBRC has a small but
dedicated team of 7.6 FTE environmental data managers, naturalists and IT specialists.

The Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre is managed as a partnership project, hosted by the Sussex
Wildlife Trust. Partners include local planning authorities, government agencies, conservation
bodies and other organisations which need access to up-to-date biodiversity information, such
as water companies.

Sussex has a vibrant and energetic biological recording community with many independent
recording groups and societies. By strengthening relationships with these groups, and the wider
network of naturalists, ecologists and recording schemes active in Sussex, the Record Centre
facilitates sharing of ever-greater amounts of biodiversity data.

Sussex Wildlife Trust

Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a conservation charity for everyone who cares about nature in
Sussex. We focus on protecting the wonderfully rich natural life that is found across our
towns, countryside and coast. By working alongside local people we create opportunities for us
all to connect with nature and for nature to thrive in even the most unlikely places.

We are now in a critical decade for change to protect and restore nature with the help of more
people taking action for wildlife. Now is the time for an ambitious action plan to match the
scale and urgency of the challenges we are facing. Our new Strategic Plan – Our Wild
Sussex – will be launched in April and sets out our vision and commitment to turning
the tide for wildlife so that by 2030, nature in Sussex will be in recovery.

To deliver our new strategic aims, we have recently completed a comprehensive restructure of
the charity to align to our goals. This restructure has generated a suite of new roles and
opportunities which will enable us to achieve our ambitions of restoring and protecting at
least 30% of Sussex land and sea for nature, inspiring one in four people in Sussex to take
meaningful action for wildlife, building a stronger more inclusive and diverse organisation and
becoming a net zero and climate resilient organisation.

In order to encourage diversity and inclusivity within the environment sector, we particularly
welcome applications from people who have an ethnically or geographically diverse background,
who are non-graduates and/or are living in economically deprived areas

The Role

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a passion for biological recording and an
enthusiasm to develop the centre’s outputs. They will need to have experience of working with
partners to achieve shared objectives. Excellent communication and IT skills are vital for this
role, as well as a well-developed understanding of current national policies that would require
biodiversity data services into the future. The post holder will champion high quality
biodiversity data services for Sussex stakeholders and work to ensure the high standards and
impartiality of SxBRCs data provision.

The role will be part of a cohort of Senior Managers within Sussex Wildlife Trust, each with
staff and budgetary responsibilities. SxBRC currently has a team of 7.6 FTE staff and a
turn-over of over £250,000 annually.

The Person

We are currently looking for a vibrant and skilled individual to be the Head of the Sussex
Biodiversity Record Centre. They will lead the team to ensure that the Centre continues to
develop and delivers an excellent service to all its stakeholders, and that all SxBRC systems
and relationships facilitate the needs of its data users and data providers.

Applicants will be expected to have an excellent knowledge of the collection and use of
biodiversity information, and be able to lead and inspire the small, dedicated team. The SxBRC
systems are built from both national and bespoke software and some technical understanding of
data sharing and data management is essential.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a passion for biological recording and an
enthusiasm to develop the centre’s outputs. They will need to have experience of working with
partners to achieve shared objectives. Excellent communication and IT skills are vital for this
role, as well as a well-developed understanding of current national policies that would require
biodiversity data services into the future.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus 8 bank holidays each year (pro-rated for part time staff)
• Pension – company contribution from 6% and employee contribution of 3%
• Life Assurance – Pension Scheme Members 2 x Salary, Non-Pension Scheme Members 1 x Salary
• 2 days paid leave for volunteering each year
• Flexible working policy
• Enhanced Sick Pay
• EAP
• Employee discounts
• Informal car share arrangements

For more detailed information see what we offer page in the Recruitment Pack on our website.