Chief Insights Officer in Middleton

We’re looking for a Chief Insights Officer to lead the insight and intelligence that powers our biggest decisions for nature’s recovery. This role is for someone driven by purpose, excited by complexity and able to spot the signals that shape real change. If you’re motivated by evidence, inspired by possibility and ready to turn insight into bold action for nature and people, we’d love to meet you.

You’ll lead how the Trust uses insight, impact, data, digital tools and forecasting to understand what’s happening around us and make better decisions. Your work will help us choose the right priorities, invest wisely and grow our influence as we move towards our Wilder Derbyshire 2030 vision. You’ll bring clarity when things feel uncertain, momentum when there’s opportunity and thoughtful risk‑taking when ambition calls for it. To do this well, you’ll need to be naturally curious, open and collaborative—someone who asks good questions, brings people with you and isn’t afraid to say what needs to be said. You’ll be confident challenging assumptions, able to explain complex ideas simply and skilled at building trust across teams, partners and the wider Wildlife Trusts community.

This role might be right for you if:

• You’re someone who can make sense of complex information and turn it into something people can use.
• You’ve led teams or functions in insight, evidence or analytics, and you’re comfortable working with real‑world data—especially the kind that comes with environmental or ecological work.
• You know how to spot what matters, explain it clearly and help strategic leaders make good decisions.
• You’re practical, thoughtful and not afraid to ask the right questions.

You’ll bring:

• Experience leading insight, evidence or analytics work
• Confidence with forecasting, scenario planning and decision‑support
• A good understanding of data governance and digital tools
• Clear, simple communication—even when the topic isn’t
• The ability to influence and build trust at senior levels
• A commitment to using data and AI responsibly

What we can offer you:

• Flexible working options, we have adopted a 9-day working fortnight meaning all full‑time staff get a non‑working Friday every fortnight
• 33 days annual leave including bank holidays, we also have a festive shutdown so all staff get the days between Christmas and New Year off in addition to their leave entitlement
• Sustainable Travel Employer (extra leave granted for staff using more green, sustainable transport)
• 9.5% employer pension contribution
• Electric bike and car salary‑sacrifice schemes available
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life Assurance Scheme
• Personalised Development programme designed to enhance your knowledge and progress your career
• A multi‑disciplinary business, with opportunities to work on a wide range of projects, developing your experience and skills
• A close‑knit, friendly and supportive team, with a relaxed office atmosphere

Our Values

Our work towards a Wilder 2030 is shaped by three core values:

• Collaborative – We work together with colleagues, volunteers and communities because lasting change happens when everyone is involved.
• Curious – We ask questions, explore new ideas and stay open to learning so we can keep improving and adapting for nature.
• Courageous – We take bold action, challenge the status‑quo and stand up for what wildlife and people need.

We are happy to talk flexible working! This role will be based at our office in Middleton although a balance of home and office working will be allowed. We are a local charity so applicants should be easily able to access our office and other locations around the county.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is an equal opportunities employer that strives to be a diverse and inclusive environment in which everyone is valued. We welcome applications from eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.