At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead woodland projects, manage teams, and ensure smooth delivery across Cumbria.
- Company: Join a neurodivergent-led organisation dedicated to creating and caring for woodlands.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 25 days leave, enhanced pension, and in-house training.
- Other info: Work outdoors, travel between sites, and engage with diverse stakeholders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on nature projects while connecting communities with the environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in project management; forestry background is a plus but not essential.
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 Cockermouth employer: Raise Cumbria
Raise is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead impactful woodland creation and management projects across the stunning landscapes of Cumbria. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide in-house training, hybrid working options, and a generous annual leave policy, all within a supportive, neurodivergent-led culture that values diverse perspectives. Join us to make a meaningful difference in environmental stewardship while enjoying a collaborative work environment that prioritises community engagement and personal development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager (Forestry) in Cockermouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the forestry and environmental sectors, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your project management skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in managing complex projects. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you’ve successfully coordinated teams and resources.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your job search! Don’t just wait for roles to pop up on job boards. Visit our website regularly and apply directly to positions that catch your eye. We love seeing enthusiastic candidates who take the initiative!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and its projects. Understand their mission and values, especially around community engagement and biodiversity. This will help you tailor your responses and show you’re genuinely interested in making a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager (Forestry) in Cockermouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Nature:When writing your application, let your love for the outdoors and nature shine through. Share any relevant experiences you have in forestry, farming, or conservation to show us why you're a great fit for this role.
Highlight Your Project Management Skills:Make sure to emphasise your operational or project management experience. We want to see how you've successfully managed projects from planning to delivery, so give us some solid examples!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor it to our job description by using keywords and phrases that match what we’re looking for. This shows us you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, plus you’ll find all the details you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Raise Cumbria
✨Know Your Projects Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the types of woodland creation and management projects that the organisation has undertaken. Familiarise yourself with their funding programmes and partnerships. This will not only show your genuine interest but also help you discuss how your experience aligns with their current and future projects.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and projects in the past. Highlight your ability to coordinate people and resources effectively, especially in complex environments. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses and make them impactful.
✨Emphasise Your Adaptability
Given the diverse backgrounds they welcome, be prepared to discuss how your unique experiences can contribute to their mission. Whether it’s from forestry, farming, or conservation, illustrate how your skills can adapt to the challenges of managing multiple priorities and resolving operational issues.
✨Build Rapport with Interviewers
Since strong working relationships are key in this role, practice building rapport during the interview. Be personable, ask insightful questions about their projects, and express your enthusiasm for community engagement. This will demonstrate your ability to connect with stakeholders and landowners, which is crucial for success in this position.
