At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage arboricultural activities, ensuring safety and compliance across the estate.
- Company: Join the UK's largest water and wastewater company, making a real impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 26-30 days holiday, pension scheme, and health assessments.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and excellent career growth opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a difference in tree management while enjoying a dynamic, hybrid work environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in tree management and inspections, with relevant qualifications preferred.
The predicted salary is between 46500 - 55000 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Offering between 46,500 to 55,000 per annum depending on experience and skills
As the Arboricultural Manager, you will lead the strategic and operational delivery of all arboricultural activities across the estate. You will oversee contracted arboricultural service providers, including tree surveyors and tree surgeons, ensuring that all works are carried out safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with relevant legislation, organisational policies, and budgetary requirements.
This is a dynamic, hands-on role, with an anticipated split of approximately three days per week on-site - meeting suppliers, auditing works, and monitoring standards - and the remaining time office-based, focusing on planning, reporting, contractor management, and performance oversight.
What you'll be doing as an Arboricultural Manager:
- Tree Inspection Programme and Work Prioritisation: Commission and implement a structured, risk-based inspection programme, ensuring that trees are assessed at appropriate intervals according to their location, condition, species-specific risks, and proximity to high-use areas.
- Arboricultural Supplier Relationships: Create, manage and maintain effective relationships with arboricultural suppliers, to ensure services are delivered in line with business needs and objectives.
- Arboricultural Supplier Performance: Monitor and manage contractor performance against contracts and operational requirements. Hold regular review meetings with suppliers.
- Stakeholder Management: Build strong collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
- Financial / Commercial: Oversee and manage the budget for all tree management activities, ensuring effective financial control and providing regular spend reports. Identify and implement opportunities for commercial efficiencies across tree management activities.
- Strategies: Develop longer-term strategies for the maintenance of trees.
- Audit: Carry out site checks and audits to verify suppliers' workmanship and health & safety compliance, including adherence to LOLER and PUWER regulations.
Base Location: Hybrid Reading
36 hours per week
All CVs will be reviewed from Monday, 1st June 2026.
What you should bring to the role:
- Professional experience in tree management.
- Experience in conducting tree inspections and assessing tree health.
- Experience with tree management software e.g. Ezee Tree.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
- Understanding of Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998.
- Experience in Utilities, highways or large estate environments is desirable.
Qualifications required:
- Relevant qualification for assessing tree safety/risk, e.g. Lantra Professional Tree Inspection (PTI), Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA).
- Land management/forestry diploma or degree, or 5+ years industry experience.
- Understanding of modern tree surgery techniques, including felling, pruning, crown management, and aerial arborist operations, to support accurate assessment of required works and quality assurance of contractors.
What's in it for you?
- Offering between 46,500 and 55,000 per annum, depending on experience and skills.
- 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays)
- Contributory pension - Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% - 2x employee contribution.
- Personal Medical Assessments - Open to all once a year.
- Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing.
Who are we?
We're the UK's largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive.
Learn more about our purpose and values.
Working at Thames Water:
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you'll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
If you're looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people's lives while helping to protect the world's water for future generations, we'll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family.
Why choose us? Learn more.
We're committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that's extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we're here to help and support.
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you'll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience.
Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Arboricultural Manager - Reading, Berkshire in Calcot employer: Thames Water
Thames Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of millions while contributing to environmental sustainability. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to employee growth through flexible working arrangements and comprehensive benefits, you'll find ample opportunities to develop your career in a supportive and inclusive culture. Join us in Reading, where your expertise as an Arboricultural Manager will be valued and where you can thrive in a role that combines strategic oversight with hands-on engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Arboricultural Manager - Reading, Berkshire in Calcot
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the arboricultural field and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. Attend industry events or local meet-ups to make new contacts. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Get your online presence sorted! Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up-to-date and showcases your skills in tree management and inspections. Join relevant groups and engage with posts to get noticed by potential employers. We can help you polish your profile if you need it!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in managing arboricultural suppliers and ensuring compliance. Practice common interview questions so you can confidently showcase your expertise!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Tailor your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience in tree management and supplier relationships. Don’t forget to follow up after applying to show your enthusiasm!
We think you need these skills to ace Arboricultural Manager - Reading, Berkshire in Calcot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Arboricultural Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in tree management, inspections, and any software you've used like Ezee Tree. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about arboriculture and how your experience aligns with our needs. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Whether it's successful projects or improvements you've made in previous roles, we want to know how you've made a difference in your past positions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, you can easily keep track of your application status!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨Know Your Trees
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of tree management and inspection techniques. Be ready to discuss specific species, their risks, and how you would implement a structured inspection programme. This shows you're not just familiar with the theory but can apply it practically.
✨Supplier Relationships Matter
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed relationships with suppliers in the past. Think about how you can demonstrate your ability to hold regular review meetings and ensure that services align with business needs. This will highlight your collaborative skills.
✨Budget Savvy
Be ready to talk about your experience managing budgets for tree management activities. Have some examples of how you've identified commercial efficiencies or controlled spending in previous roles. This will show that you can handle the financial aspects of the job effectively.
✨Health & Safety First
Familiarise yourself with relevant health and safety regulations like LOLER and PUWER. Be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance in past roles, as this is crucial for the Arboricultural Manager position. Showing your commitment to safety will set you apart.
