Countryside Manager

We're looking for a dynamic and forward-thinking Countryside Manager to lead our progressive nature conservation work in north Norfolk and the Broads. With great leadership and people management skills and experience of countryside management, you'll lead a staff and volunteer ranger team to deliver an exciting and ambitious programme of landscape and habitat management and species monitoring and protection. You will also collaborate with internal colleagues and external partners to deliver nature recovery across a wider area.
You'll help people to understand, connect with and enjoy our landscapes, heritage and wildlife, making a difference to people every day.
What it's like to work here
The role is based at Blakeney. From here, you'll be managing a team that includes 7 rangers, 2 harbour masters and c50 volunteers, helping to restore nature and build a resilient and sustainable environment on
the North Norfolk Coast. Blakeney National Nature Reserve (NNR) supports some of the most important and iconic wildlife in the country including little and sandwich terns, grey seals and pink-footed geese, whilst Brancaster has extensive golden sands, wild marshes and a busy harbour.
Stretching down into the Norfolk Broads, we look after a Windpump that has great views over the marshes and mere and nearby is a secret island grazing marsh that is home the characteristic wildlife of the Broads.
What you'll be doing
Day-to-day, you'll be managing and developing your team of staff and volunteers. But you'll also be leading on strategic work, improving access, running nature conservation projects, building great working relationships with partners, tenants and colleagues, and helping to make everyone feel welcome in the countryside, whatever their background or knowledge.
As a member of our leadership team, you'll work alongside other departments and teams to develop landscape-wide strategies and long-term planning for this area.
You'll also be working with partner organisations and local communities to restore nature on a landscape scale. You'll have the satisfaction of helping to look after complex habitats, including grazing marsh, sand dunes, shingle ridge, saltmarsh, reedbeds and foreshore.
You'll be expected to work at the different places and work some weekends and bank holidays.
Who we're looking for
We'd love to hear from you if you're:

• highly experienced in nature conservation, and the managing of coastal habitats
• skilled in managing projects and budgets
• confident in leading a diverse team
• able to show examples of where you've successfully managed change
• adept at negotiating, influencing and communicating
• resilient and experienced in working effectively with partners
• good at involving all kinds of people, sharing your knowledge and enthusiasm, and giving great service
• keen to make a difference, show initiative and work towards a sustainable future.
• overseeing compliance & coordination of and liaising with contractors

The package
The National Trust has the motto 'For everyone, for ever' at its heart. We're working hard to create an inclusive culture, where everyone feels they belong. It's important that our people reflect and represent the diversity of the communities and audiences we serve. We welcome and value difference, so when we say we're for everyone, we want everyone to be welcome in our teams too.
• Substantial pension scheme of up to 10% basic salary
• Free entry to National Trust places for you, a guest and your children (under 18)
• Rental deposit loan scheme
• Season ticket loan
• EV car lease scheme
• Perks at work discounts such as gym memberships, shopping discount codes, cinema discounts
• Holiday allowance up to 32 days relating to length of service, plus holiday purchase scheme, subject to meeting minimum criteria.
• Flexible working whenever possible
• Employee assistance programme
• Free parking at most Trust places
Click here to find out moreabout the benefits we offer to support you.
Closing Date: 2nd February. Interviews 10th February 2025
To apply for this vacancy simply click the 'apply' button in the top right hand side of the page.
If you need any help with your application, i.e. due to technical difficulties, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at
If you require an adjustment to the application process, for example due to disability or medical condition, please call us on 0370 240 0274 or email us at and we'll support you as best as we can. For examples of how, please see our supporting you page.
EqualOpportunities Statement
The National Trust celebrates diversity and is committed to creating a fair and equal society, free from discrimination. You can read more about our commitment to inclusion and diversity here .
Safeguarding Statement
The National Trust is committed to a safe recruitment processes to help the organisation attract and appoint the right staff/volunteer for the role and responsibilities as set out in the vacancy advert. We will not accept applicants who are not suitable to work with children, young people or adults at risk. If you have any questions around your suitability for this vacancy, please contact the people service centre.
Please note we reserve the right to close this advert early and therefore we encourage you to apply for this position early.

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