Woodland Manager / Team Leader

If you are passionate about woodland management, enjoy working in a beautiful landscape, and have the commercial awareness to add value from natural resources, this could be the role for you. At Rotherfield, you will be responsible for managing our woodlands to ensure they remain healthy, productive, and resilient for generations to come.

What makes this role unique is the opportunity to see the full lifecycle of the timber you manage. Timber from our woodland is processed and used by our in‐house build team, meaning you will see the direct results of your work in projects across the estate. We are committed to creating a circular woodland economy where resources are used efficiently, waste streams are minimised, and value is added wherever possible. This will include grading and selling timber and identifying new woodland‐based income streams. The successful candidate will bring both strong forestry knowledge and a proactive, commercial mindset to help us make the most of our woodland assets while protecting their ecological value.

This is an exciting role for someone who enjoys working in a stunning environment, takes pride in well‐managed woodland, and is motivated by the opportunity to build a truly circular woodland economy.

Job Purpose

To plan, manage, and maintain woodland areas to ensure sustainable timber production, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem health, while maximising the economic value of woodland assets through timber grading, marketing, and the development of new revenue streams. The role also includes liaising with the conservation team to manage wildlife impacts such as deer and grey squirrels to protect woodland regeneration.

Key Responsibilities

• Woodland Management

• Lead the woodland team and external contractors to develop and implement long‐term woodland management plans.
• Plan harvesting operations and ensure sustainable timber production.
• Plan, oversee and be on the tools for tree planting, natural regeneration, thinning, pruning, and harvesting operations.
• Monitor woodland condition, tree health, and environmental factors affecting growth.
• Maintain woodland infrastructure including tracks, fencing, drainage, and access routes.
• Responsible for Estate topping.
• Tree management in woodlands, parkland and garden setting.
• Investigate agroforestry opportunities.
• Explore propagation of our own stock where appropriate.
• Liaise with the Livestock team to identify suitable woodland areas for woodland pasture, particularly to support outwintering of the beef herd.

• Plan sustainable timber harvesting programmes aligned with woodland management objectives.
• Grade harvested timber based on species, size, quality, and end use (e.g., sawlogs, fencing material, firewood, biomass).
• Work with our in‐house build team regarding timber requirements.
• Investigate the installation of a kiln so we can dry our own timber.
• Identify suitable markets and sell timber to mills, processors, and local buyers.
• Negotiate contracts and coordinate transport and logistics of timber sales.
• Maintain records of timber volumes, grades, and revenue.
• Monitor market conditions and optimise timing of timber sales.

• Identify and develop new income opportunities from woodland assets, such as firewood and woodchip, biochar, charcoal, insulation materials, carbon credits and woodland carbon schemes, educational woodland activities or corporate team days, sporting opportunities (e.g. stalking leases).
• Manage our existing grants income under countryside stewardship schemes and explore other grant funding opportunities.
• Track operational costs and income from timber and other woodland products.

• Liaise with the Conservation team to monitor deer populations and browsing pressure on woodland regeneration.
• Work collaboratively with the Conservation team to develop and implement effective deer management strategies including population surveys and ongoing monitoring, installation and maintenance of deer fencing and tree protection measures, controlled culling – agree cull targets for the Conservation team.
• Liaise with the Conservation team to monitor grey squirrel populations and evaluate their impact on bark stripping and timber quality.
• Maintain accurate records to ensure compliance with WS1 and WS3 requirements.

• Ensure compliance with environmental legislation and health & safety standards.
• Ensure compliance with grant funding requirements.
• Tree safety surveys.

• Support educational visits and public access initiatives.

Requirements

Qualifications & Education

• A degree or diploma in one or a combination of Forestry, Environmental Science, Land Management.
• Professional membership with organisations such as the Institute of Chartered Foresters (desirable).

Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of silviculture and woodland ecology.
• Timber grading and forestry market knowledge.
• Wildlife population management.
• Business development and woodland revenue generation.
• Contractor and project management.
• Communication and negotiation skills.

Experience

• Experience in forestry operations or woodland management.
• Practical experience with timber harvesting and timber sales.
• Knowledge of wildlife management and habitat conservation.
• Proven management experience, with a clear commitment to developing, supporting, and upskilling team members.
• Familiarity with UK forestry legislation and environmental regulations.

Benefits

• Accommodation if required.
• Generous employer pension contributions.
• Employee Assistance Program (confidential counselling service).
• Annual health checks.
• Designated woodland access for team use.
• A role with trust, responsibility, and long‐term potential.
• Great team!