Arboricultural Manager - Reading, Berkshire

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.