Chief Operating Officer (London)

Join to apply for the Chief Operating Officer role at Forestry Commission

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Join to apply for the Chief Operating Officer role at Forestry Commission

East Midlands (England), East of England, London (region), North East England, North West England, South East England, South West England, West Midlands (England), Yorkshire and the Humber

Job Summary

At the Forestry Commission, we are united by a shared vision – to help tackle some of society's biggest challenges through thriving forests, woods and trees. Forest Services is the part of the Forestry Commission delivering regulation, incentives and advice to support woodland creation and management across England. Our work directly supports Government priorities around climate change, biodiversity, plant health, rural growth and more – and we do it by working closely with landowners, delivery partners, and wider stakeholders. We are now looking for an exceptional individual to join us as Chief Operating Officer of Forest Services. Location: Any Forestry Commission office with regular presence in Bristol and London and travel nationwide Job Description

This is a vital leadership role, offering the opportunity to influence and deliver across our entire national and regional operational portfolio. You will play a central part in shaping and implementing high-profile programmes including grant schemes, regulatory frameworks and plant health interventions that have real-world impact on our environment and communities. With management responsibility for around 500 staff and oversight of significant public funds, the COO is a cornerstone of our Executive Team. You will bring vision and clarity to a broad and complex portfolio, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery while nurturing a culture of innovation, integrity and collaboration. Your leadership will be key to helping us navigate change, manage risk and build capability for the future – all while delivering to the highest standards across our frontline services. We are looking for an experienced senior leader, capable of operating in a large, multi-disciplinary organisation. You will have a proven track record of leading complex operations and navigating high-stakes policy landscapes. You'll be a skilled communicator and strategic thinker, with strong judgement, and the ability to inspire and develop others. Your ability to manage performance, drive forward change and build lasting partnerships will be key to success in this role. If you are ready to make a tangible difference through strategic leadership of England's woodland and forestry services, we want to hear from you. This is a vital leadership role, offering the opportunity to influence and deliver across our entire national and regional operational portfolio. You will play a central part in shaping and implementing high-profile programmes including grant schemes, regulatory frameworks and plant health interventions that have real-world impact on our environment and communities. With management responsibility for around 500 staff and oversight of significant public funds, the COO is a cornerstone of our Executive Team. You will bring vision and clarity to a broad and complex portfolio, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery while nurturing a culture of innovation, integrity and collaboration. Your leadership will be key to helping us navigate change, manage risk and build capability for the future – all while delivering to the highest standards across our frontline services. We are looking for an experienced senior leader, capable of operating in a large, multi-disciplinary organisation. You will have a proven track record of leading complex operations and navigating high-stakes policy landscapes. You'll be a skilled communicator and strategic thinker, with strong judgement, and the ability to inspire and develop others. Your ability to manage performance, drive forward change and build lasting partnerships will be key to success in this role. If you are ready to make a tangible difference through strategic leadership of England's woodland and forestry services, we want to hear from you. Person specification Essential

• Proven senior leadership experience in a complex, multi-disciplinary organisation, providing clear vision and direction
• Excellent people management skills and strong experience of successfully leading a diverse, multi-disciplinary, geographically dispersed and high performing team to achieve ambitious targets.
• Experience of leading innovation and complex organisational change, including navigating governance and bringing stakeholders together to ensure successful adoption
• Excellent strategic thinking, planning, and decision-making skills, including strong judgement combined with the confidence to take appropriate risks and exploit opportunities, and the ability to make timely decisions with incomplete information
• Experience of reacting promptly and tactically to issues, as well as making long-term strategic plans for your business unit and wider organisation
• Strong Business management experience including budgetary, forecasting and analytical skills
• A proven track record of actively building and maintaining relationships and influence across a complex stakeholder landscape, including where their needs are in conflict
• Excellent influencing and communication skills, with experience of briefing senior officials verbally and in writing to achieve the right outcomes, and of securing your team’s buy-in to strategic changes
• Strong delegation and reporting skills, combined with the ability to balance sound governance and procedure (including escalation) with the need to maintain portfolio ownership

Desirable

• Strong understanding of forestry policy, grants administration, regulatory frameworks, and plant health.
• Awareness of Civil Service financial procedure and good practice (e.g., through an understanding of Managing Public Money)
• Demonstration of a leader’s commitment towards continuing professional development

Alongside your salary of £71,676, Forestry Commission contributes £20,764 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A range of family friendly benefits.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• A range of wellbeing benefits including discounted Civil Service Healthcare, access to an Employee Assistance Programme 24/7, Bike to Work Scheme, plus many more.
• 25 days annual leave, with 1 additional day for each years’ service up to 5 years (pro rata), plus 10.5 bank holidays/privilege days (pro rata).
• Ability to buy or sell 5 days annual leave.
• 3 days volunteering per year (pro rata).

We aim to provide a great place to work, whichever location you work from. Blended working forms part of our flexible and inclusive approach to future ways of working. It is an informal arrangement which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from our Forestry Commission workplaces, subject to role requirements, business needs, and regular review. Informal blended working arrangements will be available as agreed with the line manager. Selection process details To apply for this post, please send your tailored CV and a cover letter no longer than two pages by email, highlighting in the subject heading ‘Chief Operating Officer’, to Executive@LHH.com If you would like a confidential, informal discussion about the role then please contact LHH on +44 (0) 141 220 6460 or send an email to the above-mentioned address. Forestry Commission is committed to equality of opportunity and to no discrimination on the grounds of race, religion or belief, age, sex, marital or civil partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, transgender status, pregnancy or maternity. Should you require any modifications or wish to speak with a member of our team to discuss any particular circumstances, please email the above address. For more information, please see the attached candidate pack. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European U]]>