Contracts Manager - Lost Woods of Low Weald & Downs

About Us: The Woodland Trust is the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity and is dedicated to creating a world where trees and woods thrive for both people and nature. Our mission involves engaging and inspiring individuals to contribute toward tackling the nature and climate crisis through the protection, restoration, and creation of essential woodland habitats.

THE ROLE
•    This is an exciting role to support a funded project to deliver woodland management activity of the Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs partnership. The Contracts Manager is responsible for the preparation and delivery of a range of forestry contracts with a focus on ancient woodland restoration and management, and woodland creation initiatives on 3rd party land across the Lost Woods project area.
•    You will identify opportunities for works to be bundled into efficient contracts across the Lost Woods project area and develop our contractor base to build confidence and competence within the sector. You will take on or manage forest works manager functions for the Woodland Trust, mapping, data gathering and required Lost Woods project reporting.
•    In liaison with landowners and the South East Outreach team, the Contracts Manager will undertake planning, implementation and prudent financial management of an identified programme of site intervention works using agents and contractors. You will develop and deliver new contracts to deliver Lost Woods targets in liaison with South East Outreach team and Lost Woods Project Manager.
•    Plan, specify and support landowners in tendering and procurement, and supervise implementation of identified selected contracts in the Lost Woods project area to the highest professional standard and in accordance with Woodland Trust Health and Safety policies and procedures.
•    This is a fixed term role until the end of April 2028.
•    Travel to and from the Lost Woods area will be required as well as across the South East region.
•    A company car will be provided for this role.

THE CANDIDATE
•    You will have experience in in Forestry and conservation land management, in managing woodlands and sites of high conservation importance, familiarity with FSC certification and UKWAS, and a sound understanding of practical issues facing management of woodlands and creation of native woodlands.
•    You will have experience of contracts and contract management in procurement, tendering, managing contracts and supervising contractors on site and compliance with Health and Safety standards and procedures.
•    Experience of issues around tree safety, dealing with the impacts of tree pests and diseases and compliance with Health and Safety standards and reporting procedures.
•    Experience of building relationships internally and externally, you’ll be a strong communicator with the confidence to represent the Woodland Trust in a professional and positive manner. 
•    You’ll be self-motivated, well organised and able to manage time effectively, prioritising and being flexible in your approach.
•    IT literate and competent, with MS Office experience and GIS mapping skills, and the ability to learn new systems.
•    Commercially aware and able to deliver good value for money from operations. You will be able to act with initiative and identify opportunities that will deliver the aims of the project cost effectively, whilst delivering ecologically sound results in high conservation value working environments.
•    Desirably you’ll have knowledge of woodland grants, in the writing, submitting and delivery of grant schemes across woodland management operations and for woodland creation.
•    The successful candidate should be located in, or a suitable distance from, the Lost Woods of the Low Weald and Downs project area.

Our Organisational Nature enables us to better understand what it means to be part of the Woodland Trust, empowering us to make an impact, every day. We want you to be able to role model our values; ‘Grow Together’, ‘Focus’, ‘Explore’ and ‘Make it Count’ to ensure each of us plays our part in helping to protect, restore and create our woods and trees.

Benefits & Wellbeing: Joining our team means you’ll be a big part of tackling environmental and climate issues. We take good care of our employees, offering support and training opportunities. We also offer:
•    Enhanced Employer Pension
•    Life Assurance
•    Flexible & Hybrid Working Options
•    Generous Annual Leave
•    Enhanced Parental Pay
•    Employee Assistance Programme

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion: The Woodland Trust embraces diversity and inclusion. We want our team to reflect the UK’s diverse community. We support people from all backgrounds to apply, especially those who are under-represented.

Application Advice: Even if you don’t meet every requirement of the role, we would encourage you to apply. Your enthusiasm for the environment and our core values—Grow Together, Explore, Focus and Make it Count—are what matter most. We also keep our candidates’ personal details hidden from the hiring managers, so they do not see your CV until shortlisting is completed. Make sure that your Personal Statement clearly shows your experience and passion for the role.

Apply Now: If you’re ready to make a difference and grow with us, send in your application today. We might close the job opening early if we get a lot of applications, so it’s a good idea to apply soon. We look forward to hearing from you and working together to make a positive impact on our planet.