At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead woodland projects, manage teams, and ensure smooth delivery across Cumbria.
- Company: Join a neurodivergent-led organisation focused on community and environmental impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 25 days leave, enhanced pension, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Work outdoors, travel between sites, and engage with diverse communities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in nature conservation while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in operational or project management; outdoor sector background is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
This role will lead woodland creation, management and monitoring projects across Cumbria, working with a range of funding programmes, partners and contractors. You’ll manage staff, schedules and resources, helping keep projects running smoothly from planning through to delivery. The role will also drive the development of new forestry services and opportunities as Raise continues to grow. We’re looking for someone proactive with strong operational or project management experience who can coordinate people, manage complexity and support specialist teams.
You might come from a range of nature-based backgrounds, including forestry, farming, conservation, land management or another outdoor or environmental sector, but you do not necessarily need to be a trained forester. As a neurodivergent-led organisation, we value different ways of thinking and welcome applications from people with a wide range of experiences. What matters most is your ability to lead delivery, build good working relationships and help projects move forward. If you want to help deliver practical woodland and nature projects with communities across Cumbria, we’d love to hear from you.
About Raise: Cumbria Community Forest is a neurodivergent-led organisation working across 1,300 square miles of Cumbria. We work with landowners, communities and partners to create and care for woodlands that support biodiversity, climate action and people’s connection to nature. Our work combines practical forestry delivery with community engagement, skills development and long-term stewardship.
Working with us: This is a role that involves working across Cumbria, including regular site visits to woodland and rural locations. You will need to be comfortable working outdoors and travelling between sites as part of your role. A full UK driving licence is required. You will be working with landowners, contractors and partners, often in complex delivery environments where priorities need to be managed day to day.
What we offer:
- Hybrid working
- 25 days annual leave per year, plus bank holidays
- Enhanced pension scheme
- In-house training opportunities
What we’re looking for: You don’t need forestry qualifications, but you do need relevant experience in operational or project management. We are looking for someone who can:
- Manage projects or programmes from planning through to delivery
- Coordinate people, staff and external contractors
- Work with landowners, partners or stakeholders
- Manage multiple priorities and resolve operational challenges
- Support specialist technical teams in delivery
- Communicate clearly and build strong working relationships
Experience in forestry, farming, conservation, land management or similar outdoor sectors would be an advantage, but we are open to different backgrounds.
Operations Manager (Forestry) in Cumberland employer: Raise: Cumbria Community Forest
Raise is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead impactful woodland projects across the stunning landscapes of Cumbria. With a strong commitment to employee growth through in-house training and a supportive work culture that values diverse perspectives, we provide a hybrid working environment, generous annual leave, and an enhanced pension scheme. Join us in making a difference for biodiversity and community engagement while enjoying the benefits of working in a neurodivergent-led organisation.
Contact Details:
Raise: Cumbria Community Forest Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager (Forestry) in Cumberland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the forestry and environmental sectors. Attend local events or join online forums to connect with potential employers and learn about job openings that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, highlight your project management experience and how you've successfully coordinated teams in the past. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to manage complexity.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a role that interests you on our website, don’t hesitate to apply. Tailor your approach to show how your unique background can contribute to woodland creation and community engagement.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager (Forestry) in Cumberland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Nature:When writing your application, let your love for the outdoors and nature shine through. We want to see how your experiences align with our mission at Raise, so share any relevant projects or initiatives you've been involved in that demonstrate your commitment to environmental stewardship.
Highlight Your Project Management Skills:Make sure to emphasise your operational or project management experience. We’re looking for someone who can juggle multiple priorities, so give us examples of how you’ve successfully managed projects from planning to delivery, especially in complex environments.
Be Yourself:At StudySmarter, we value diverse perspectives, so don’t hesitate to showcase your unique background. Whether you come from forestry, farming, or another outdoor sector, tell us how your experiences shape your approach to leading projects and building relationships.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Raise: Cumbria Community Forest
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of woodland creation and management projects that Raise is involved in. Research their past projects and funding programmes to show your genuine interest and understanding of their work.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples from your previous roles where you successfully managed teams or projects. Highlight how you coordinated people and resources, and overcame challenges to keep projects on track. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and operational expertise.
✨Emphasise Relationship Building
Since this role involves working with landowners, contractors, and partners, be prepared to talk about how you’ve built strong working relationships in the past. Share stories that illustrate your communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
✨Be Ready for Outdoor Scenarios
Given that the role requires regular site visits, think about your comfort level working outdoors and travelling between sites. You might want to mention any relevant experiences you have in outdoor settings, as well as your full UK driving licence, to reassure them of your readiness for the role.
