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; forestry background is a plus but not essential.
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
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 and generous benefits, including 25 days of annual leave and an enhanced pension scheme. Join us in making a difference for biodiversity and community engagement while enjoying the beauty of nature in your daily work.
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 company you’re interested in, don’t wait for them to post a job. Reach out directly through our website, express your interest, and ask if they have any upcoming opportunities. It shows initiative!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for site visits! Since this role involves outdoor work, make sure you’re ready to discuss your experience in managing projects in similar environments. Being comfortable in nature will give you an edge in interviews.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager (Forestry) in Cumberland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Operations Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in project management and any connections you have to forestry or nature-based projects. We want to see how your unique background fits with what we do!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past experiences where you’ve successfully managed projects, coordinated teams, or tackled operational challenges. This will help us see how you can lead delivery at Raise.
Be Authentic:We value different ways of thinking, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. Share your passion for woodland creation and community engagement, and let us know why you’re excited about this opportunity with us.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets to us directly, please apply through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we see your application and can consider you for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Raise Cumbria
✨Know Your Projects
Before the interview, research the specific woodland creation and management projects that Raise is involved in. Familiarise yourself with their goals and challenges, so you can discuss how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to coordinate people and resources, especially in complex environments, as this is crucial for the Operations Manager role.
✨Emphasise Communication
Strong communication is key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you've built relationships with stakeholders, landowners, or contractors in previous positions. Use specific examples to illustrate your approach to clear and effective communication.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
Since Raise values diverse backgrounds, be prepared to talk about how your unique experiences can contribute to their mission. Share instances where you've adapted to new challenges or environments, particularly in outdoor or nature-based settings.
