Conservation Evidence and Insight Manager in Doncaster

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is one of the UK’s fastest growing nature conservation organisations and seeks to appoint a Conservation Evidence and Insight Manager.

Main Purpose of the Role

Transforming ecological data into powerful insights, the Conservation Evidence and Insight Manager will oversee and support a range of projects supporting our ambition to achieve 30% of positively managed land and sea for nature across Yorkshire, in line with our blueprint for nature recovery – Bringing Yorkshire’s Nature Back. Data and evidence are fundamental to effective nature recovery. It ensures that conservation actions are targeted, effective, and responsive to changing conditions. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust uses an evidence‑informed approach allowing us to make better decisions and demonstrate real outcomes for nature.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Evidence for Conservation Strategy and Policy
  • Lead the integration of scientific evidence into conservation planning, project design, and policy development work to align with our ambitions to become a ‘Conservation Evidence Champion.
  • Provide strategic technical input into conservation strategies, funding proposals, and programme evaluations.
  • Lead the periodic review of our State of Yorkshire’s Nature/Bringing Yorkshire’s Nature Back work to provide relevant updates and monitor progress toward nature recovery goals.
  • Work closely with conservation practitioners, ecologists, and external partners including academic institutions and NGOs.
  • Develop the intelligence (data and insights) capability for the Trust to engage in nature finance, environmental markets, etc.
  • Ensure the Trust keeps up to date with recent research methods and findings, sharing and integrating relevant information across the Trust’s work.
  • Lead on the conservation use cases and evidence requirements for emerging technologies such as AI, drones, remote sensing, cameras, acoustics and eDNA.
  • Work in partnership with Digital Transformation and IT on conservation‑related architecture, cyber security, data protection, procurement, integration and responsible technology governance.
• Research and Monitoring
  • Ensure the Trust’s conservation activities are in alignment with and delivering to its Organisational Strategy and Blueprint for nature’s recovery.
  • Work with Operational teams to design practical and usable monitoring and data capture processes.
  • Build the Trust’s evidence‑led credibility and collaborate with RSWT, researchers, applied scientists, and academic partners to co‑develop original research and deliver conservation outcomes.
  • Lead delivery, providing both strategic oversight and technical guidance, of key research and evidence projects.
  • Provide quality assurance of the interpretation of modelling outputs to inform conservation strategies, landscape planning, and species recovery initiatives.
  • Manage projects to ensure they meet deadlines and objectives and are delivered within budget.
• Data Management and Analysis
  • Lead the conservation requirements for data platforms and services to enable our nature recovery ambitions across the Trust.
  • Establish clear conservation data standards, ownership, quality controls and stewardship responsibilities across Nature Recovery.
  • Work with Digital Transformation and IT to ensure conservation‑related data systems are secure, integrated, supportable and aligned with the Trust’s digital architecture.
  • Ensure conservation data is trusted, maintained at source and aligned with the Trust‑wide data governance framework.
  • Ensure data quality, reproducibility, and transparency in analytical workflows produced by the team.
  • Ensure the production of high‑quality technical outputs produced by the team, including reports, data summaries, and visualisations that communicate findings effectively.
• Management Responsibilities
  • Manage the Conservation Evidence and Insight Team, providing an environment that fosters personal and technical development while inspiring innovative and high‑quality outcomes.
  • Develop and maintain a prioritised conservation evidence roadmap.
  • Balance strategic value, funding requirements, staff capacity, data maturity and operational readiness.
  • Work with the Director of Nature Recovery and Fundraising & Engagement Directorate to secure external funding to support projects and staff posts.
  • Represent the Nature Recovery Directorate as a member of the Extended Leadership Team (ELT).
  • Contribute to a cross‑functional conservation data and evidence governance group.
  • Work with Digital Transformation and IT, Operations, GIS and relevant programme leads to agree priorities, standards, risks and delivery sequencing.
• Other
  • Promote the Trust and partner organisations whenever possible.
  • Demonstrate our Trust values every day.
  • Support and promote the Trust’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
  • Abide by all Trust policies.
  • Undertake any other duties as requested by your line manager and in line with the post.

Qualifications

You will bring strong experience in working with applied scientific data, including designing research, analysing complex and spatial datasets, and producing clear, insightful outputs for varied audiences. You will be confident using GIS and analytical tools such as R or Python, with strong statistical and modelling skills, and a thorough understanding of data quality, governance, and reproducibility. An experienced and collaborative leader, you will have the ability to motivate teams and work effectively with diverse stakeholders, combining excellent communication skills with the ability to translate data into compelling, evidence‑based narratives. You will also demonstrate strong organisational and time‑management skills, a strategic mindset, and a deep commitment to nature conservation. An advanced degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience is essential, along with knowledge of UK conservation policy.

We want our people to flourish, just like nature, and so we are committed to creating a movement that recognises and truly values individual differences and identities. We value diversity and creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.