Natural Environment Principal (Communities) in Plymouth

Natural Environment Service – Communities Team Plymouth City Council Grade H / I 2 year Fixed Term Contract

Do you believe nature, climate action and active lifestyles can transform neighbourhoods and improve lives? Do you have experience in some, or all, of these fields? We’re looking for 2x Natural Environment Principals to join the Communities Team to jointly deliver community‑focused work at the intersection of climate adaptation, neighbourhood placemaking and active leisure. These are management roles with real impact, helping to shape how communities experience, care for and benefit from Plymouth’s green and blue spaces — while supporting healthier, more resilient and more active neighbourhoods.

About The Role

You’ll support strategic and operational projects across a diverse portfolio of programmes that connect climate and nature ambitions with community wellbeing and active living. Working closely with local people, partners and colleagues, you’ll help ensure Plymouth’s parks, neighbourhoods, play spaces, sports pitches, access routes and natural spaces support climate resilience, everyday activity and inclusive access for all.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and deliver community‑focused programmes around climate adaptation, nature‑based solutions and active leisure outcomes.
• Work with communities, partners and stakeholders to co‑design and co‑deliver projects across neighbourhoods, parks, green corridors, play & sports spaces and green/blue infrastructure.
• Champion nature‑based solutions that support flood resilience, climate adaptation, active travel, physical activity, health and wellbeing.
• Provide expert leadership on inclusive engagement, service improvement and community stewardship.
• Manage and support staff, fostering a positive, healthy and motivated team culture.
• Secure external funding, manage budgets and demonstrate impact through strong monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Represent the service with credibility and confidence, promoting Plymouth’s Plan for Nature and People.

What We’re Looking For

You’ll be a confident and collaborative leader, motivated by people, place and purpose, with experience spanning community engagement, environmental delivery and partnership working.

You’ll Bring

• Strong leadership with experience in a range of place‑based programmes.
• Interest and experience in how climate resilience, nature connection and active lifestyles can be delivered together at neighbourhood scale.
• Experience of working with communities and partners to deliver inclusive, high‑impact projects.
• The ability to secure and manage funding and demonstrate outcomes and value.
• A commitment to equality, inclusion and empowering communities to shape their local environment.

Why join us?

You’ll be part of Plymouth City Council’s ambitious Natural Environment Service, bringing together groundbreaking work across Communities, Trees, Marine, Nature Recovery and Environmental Operations. Our service brings together a broad range of environmental professionals who collaborate across teams to maximise delivery and impact. Plymouth is nationally recognised as a Nature City, with a strong track record of innovation across climate, nature, people and place. This is a hugely exciting time to join us and help deliver our shared ambitions for a nature‑rich, climate‑resilient and active city, where everyone can benefit from high‑quality neighbourhoods and natural spaces.

Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation. As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.