At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead land management and community engagement across stunning ecological restoration sites.
- Company: Join Borders Forest Trust, a passionate team dedicated to restoring nature in Southern Scotland.
- Benefits: Enjoy 24 days holiday, a pension contribution, and support for your wellbeing.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for training and development await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on wildlife and landscapes while working outdoors and with communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in land management and strong people skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
About the Role
The Wild Heart Site Manager will lead the delivery of land management and engagement activity across BFT’s four Wild Heart ecological restoration sites: Carrifran Wildwood, Corehead & the Devil’s Beef Tub, Talla & Gameshope and Ericstane North. Together these sites cover 3,250 hectares of hills and valleys in the Central Southern Uplands and are the focus of the “Reviving the Wild Heart of Southern Scotland” landscape scale nature recovery initiative. Our other sites will also need Wild Heart Site Manager oversight and coordination, where you will work collaboratively with our community and education and landowner outreach team members.
Reporting to the Head of Land Management, you will manage a small and dedicated team consisting of two Wild Heart Site Officers and a Wild Heart Project Officer. You will also manage the operational collaboration between the Land Management team and our community and education team. You will play a key role in ensuring our sites are safe, accessible, well-maintained and delivering BFT’s vision for landscape‑scale ecological restoration.
The role combines indoor and outdoor working and requires a mix of practical land management expertise, excellent communication skills, strategic planning ability and a passion for working with people. If you have experience in practical land management, strong people management skills, excellent project management, and have a proactive and collaborative approach to problem solving, we would love to hear from you.
Why Join Borders Forest Trust?
You will join a small, dynamic and passionate team directly contributing to restoring native woodland and reviving woodland culture in the South of Scotland. This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact on people, wildlife and landscapes at a meaningful scale.
Benefits
- 5% employer pension contribution
- 24 days statutory holiday + 10 bank holidays annually
- Employee assistance program to support wellbeing, including free counselling sessions
- Benefits package is currently being improved
We support all our staff with training and development, hold monthly team days, and other team building days to build a positive team experience in an organisation where many staff work remotely out on site throughout the week.
Location, Working hours & Travel
Based across BFT’s sites with an office base at Borders Forest Trust’s main office near Jedburgh. The post holder must have flexibility to be able to work in the BFT office and/or on BFT sites 3‑4 days a week. Some home working will be considered with exact workplace to be agreed on appointment. Permanent, full‑time, role 37.5 hours per week, regularly including evenings and weekends. Core hours are flexible and weekend/evening work is acknowledged through time off in lieu (TOIL), overtime will not be paid. A driving license and car are required with agreed mileage expenses (in accordance with BFT’s mileage policy) re‑imbursed at a rate of 45p/mile. Staff are responsible for recording their own mileage. A shared BFT vehicle is available for use for site travel.
How to Apply
Please send a CV and covering letter of no more than 5 pages in total, outlining how you meet all the person specification items in the job description to: recruitment@bordersforesttrust.org
Closing date: Noon on Monday 29 June 2026
Interviews are expected to take place on 20 July in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway and will include a panel interview and site visit – so several hours will be needed.
For enquiries about the post, contact recruitment@bordersforesttrust.org
Wild Heart Site Manager in Jedburgh employer: Borders Forest Trust
Borders Forest Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic and passionate team dedicated to ecological restoration in the stunning landscapes of Southern Scotland. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, professional development, and a collaborative work culture, staff enjoy flexible working arrangements and a supportive environment that fosters personal and professional growth. Join us to make a meaningful impact on wildlife and communities while enjoying a range of benefits including a generous pension contribution and enhanced holiday allowances.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Wild Heart Site Manager in Jedburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Borders Forest Trust and their Wild Heart initiative. Understanding their mission and values will help you connect with the interviewers and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips about the role and the team culture, which can give you an edge during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the site visit! Since the interview includes a site visit, think about how you can demonstrate your practical land management skills and engage with the team on-site. Bring your A-game!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re keen on being part of the Borders Forest Trust family right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Wild Heart Site Manager in Jedburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Wild Heart Site Manager role. Highlight your practical land management experience and people management skills, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that show how you've made an impact in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about ecological restoration and how you align with our vision at Borders Forest Trust. Be sure to address all the person specification items mentioned in the job description to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves working with various teams and the community, it’s important to demonstrate your excellent communication skills. Include examples of how you've successfully collaborated with others in past projects to give us a sense of your teamwork abilities.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Don’t forget to double-check your documents before hitting send!
How to prepare for a job interview at Borders Forest Trust
✨Know Your Sites
Before the interview, make sure you research each of the four Wild Heart ecological restoration sites. Understand their unique features and challenges, as well as the overall vision for 'Reviving the Wild Heart of Southern Scotland'. This will show your genuine interest and help you discuss how your experience aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Wild Heart Site Manager, you'll be leading a team and collaborating with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams or engaged with communities in the past. Highlight your communication skills and any strategies you've used to foster collaboration.
✨Demonstrate Practical Expertise
Be ready to discuss your practical land management experience in detail. Think about specific projects you've worked on, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. This will help illustrate your problem-solving abilities and strategic planning skills.
✨Prepare for the Panel and Site Visit
Since the interview includes a panel and a site visit, practice answering questions in front of others to build your confidence. During the site visit, engage actively with the interviewers, ask insightful questions about the sites, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role and the work being done.
